Rous Mill and District Memorial Hall

About

The Rous Mill and District Memorial Hall is a typically designed rural community hall. It has a high gabled roof, covered with galvanised iron. Several sets of timber windows are set into the timber-clad exterior walls. The footings of the building are made of brick, as are the steps that lead to the front entrance. The door is protected by a small verandah and the steps are finished off with a decorative metal railing.  Planning for a hall began following the Second World War. In late July 1953, "the first regular monthly meeting of the Rous District Progress Association was held in the School of Arts." The Northern Star, 3 August 1953, reported there was "every reason to be optimistic about the prospects of Rous Mill having a new public hall within a reasonable time." Other meetings were held that year to further the project, including one on 28 September to learn the results of cavnassing for financial contributions within the district (Northern Star, 24 September 1953). The Rous Mill Hall website contains a detailed history of the hall. It states fundraising activities took place from 1953 to 1959, which included "catering for clearing sales, euchre tournaments, dances and sport days." A unique activity was the sale of crops and peanuts grown by voluntary labour on 10 acres of land provided by the secretary of the committee, Arthur McDonald.  The hall was built by Mr Norm Gowers, on land donated by Mr Harold Crofton. When it was officially opened on 18 August 1959, little money was owing.  In 2016, the hall was handed over to the Rous Mill and District Memorial Hall Incorporated by the surviving tenants, Keith Fredrickson and Warren McDonald.