Community Halls in the Shire of Mundaring

All our villages had at some time had a community hall possibly built by the locals or had the land or building materials donated by locals. Over the next few Posts, we will talk about most of them and what they were used for.

Starting with the oldest hall which is in Glen Forrest then called Smiths Mill.

Octagonal Hall

Smiths Mill population was growing by the 1890s and amongst other industries brickmaking was happening which resulted in three brick buildings being erected; one being the very first agricultural hall. The land was donated by William Henry McGlew, and a committee of locals were responsible for the design and construction, and it was opened in 1897. It was named “Forrest Hall” after the Premier Sir John Forrest and hosted every kind of local activity from dances, welcome home parties, wedding receptions, fetes, square dances, concerts, community singing. Boy Scouts and Girl Guides had their meetings there and also Friday night picture shows and Anzac Day Services.

Image 1 Group of ladies from the Glen Forrest Anglican Guild 1946. Image 2 Brownies at the Octagonal Hall in 1954

Image 3 Wedding of Marea and Ron Gale 17th November 1956, in the Octagonal Hall. Image 4 Fancy Dress Ball at the octagonal Hall 1946

Over time this hall almost closed and in fact a second hall was built in 1960 but the Octagonal Hall still stands and is used by the local Wildflower Society for Its meetings. Find out more about the Octagonal Hall HERE.

Mundaring Hall

Mundaring Hall was opened in 1901, three years after Mundaring townsite was declared, as a direct result of the Coolgardie Water Supply Scheme. The Railway Station and other buildings had been built as well as the Mundaring Hotel. The growing population needed a hall and again the locals formed a committee to design and construct the building. The official opening was on 8th November 1901 by Mr. William Leslie the resident engineer at Mundaring Weir. In less than a year most sports meetings and dances were held there and the first “fruit and flower show” was held in the Mundaring Hall on St. Patrick’s Day 17th March 1906.

Image 1 Mr Turvey and his students from Mundaring Primary School outside the Mundaring Hall 1908. Image 2 Debutante Ball at the Mundaring Hall 1952. Image 3 Switching on the Electricity Event for the first time in Mundaring 1932. Image 4 Mundaring Show Committee including Sir John and Lady Forrest 1912

Over the coming weeks we will be covering all the other halls in the Shire. Come back to read more . . !