SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER
From Cheryl May <cheryl.may-at-bigpond.com>

(Committee: R Bosma, J Bridgewater, C Cassilles, J Cassilles, C May, S Smith, A Southgate, R Thompson, BRBFB – J Hedger)

You know where it is, but do you know what’s happening??

A working bee is planned for Saturday 1st October 2005 from 10.00am onwards. We are unable to do any major work at this stage so the plan is to make the building weatherproof by repairing and refixing windows and doors and re-attach loose corrugated iron sheets on the roof and walls. Despite the current wintry weather my calendar tells me its spring, so a general Spring Clean will also be done. Bring your own tools!!!

The Cooma Little Theatre is holding a 50 year reunion on the 1st – 3rd October 2005. Many performances were held in the Bungarby Memorial Hall over the years, and theatre members have expressed an interest in meeting any locals who may have attended these performances. Members of the theatre group have been invited to visit the hall on Saturday 1st October, so if you wish to renew old acquaintances with theatre group members, here is the perfect opportunity. Perhaps you still have some memorabilia from past performances you would like to share with the group; if so, bring it along.

If you are a ‘local’ you are probably aware of the Hall’s history. However, for the benefit of the ‘newcomers’ (you know – the one’s who haven’t lived here for 50+ years), here is a brief outline.

The Bungarby Memorial Hall Group comprises:

Bungarby War Memorial, Honour Rolls (WW1 & WW2), Memorial Tree, community hall building, one set of stage curtains, dry stone fences.

World War I Roll is constructed of Queensland maple and French polished with a shellac based finish. The lettering is completed in gold leaf applied to a gold size. The overall condition is fair with the finish intact, though components of the finish display signs of deterioration.

World War II Roll is constructed of a Queensland maple frame, with a Queensland maple veneered plywood substrate. The finish is an oil based varnish which has stood the test of time quite well. The overall condition is good with fairly minor damage.

Quotations are being obtained for the repair of the Honour Rolls and an application to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs for a grant for restoration of the boards will be made.

Cedrus Deodara Atlantica Tritellia and timber railing fence, fair condition. The tree was planted as a memorial to local soldier settler Will McKenzie.

The building was originally called the Bungarby School of Arts. On 5 November 1904 a meeting was held at Mr Murdoch’s woolshed with the purpose of arranging to build a hall at Bungarby. Since 1905, the hall building has provided a facility for community based activities in a remote rural area close to the Snowy River. It is situated on a portion of ‘Bungarby Station’ previously owned by Joseph Peters and was in ownership of the original pioneer family until 1923. From 1923 it was owned by another early Monaro pioneer family — Campbell of ‘Cambalong’, Bombala, and was transferred to Bombala Council in 2002.

The building displays a simple architectural style and construction utilising corrugated iron sheeting manufactured prior to 1905 and later, but before 1965. Local Snowy River white pine and sawn hardwood timbers are used in its original form, which is evident in the framework and foundation stumps. During the 1930’s minor additions and alterations were made to the hall. The building is important because of its role as a public community hall in a remote rural area and has direct links with Saint Peter’s Church and other Bungarby dwellings. It also has historically significant links to the Snowy River Recruitment Campaign and the subsequent route marches.

A set of curtains was constructed during mid 1960s using a variety of fabric including cotton, wool and polyester/blends and is lined with second-hand bed sheets, some of which had already been patched. It is in the form of patches of fabric sewn together to create two lined curtains. The curtains remain intact hanging on the original rod mechanism. The curtains were made so plays could be held by the Cooma Little Theatre.

1936: the hall was renamed the Bungarby Memorial Hall after the War Memorial was erected. There is no evidence of the building ever being dedicated as a ‘Memorial’ Hall.

The hall has experienced management difficulties from the late 1950’s.

1960: the standing committee refused re-election and no others present would accept nomination for positions.

1965: a proposal to pull down the supper room and back rooms was postponed for 6 months to see if the building could be placed on a workable financial basis. Bibbenluke Shire Council was approached regarding financial assistance.

1966: interest free loans were raised to cover the cost of lining the hall. The budget was set at a maximum of $450.

1973: the halls future was discussed, hire charges were increased and the fire insurance was discontinued.

Bibbenluke Shire Council was advised of the financial difficulties and asked to consider becoming the trustee, or assisting with the financial upkeep. A wool / donation drive was planned to help raise funds to keep the hall open.

1976: discussion on the future of the hall; the initial feeling was that it should be closed, but then it was decided that it should be kept open if at all possible. Bibbenluke Shire Council was approached concerning takeover of the hall; if a takeover was not possible the committee was to ascertain the requirements for the closure of the hall. The President & Secretary attended a Council meeting to put forward the views of the meeting.

1977: the council refused to help with the running costs of the hall; they did however offer to become trustees, and to make grants to the committee for any improvements if the committee raised the running costs. It was suggested that the Honour Rolls could go to the Cooma RSL rooms and that a fence be built around the monument if the hall was closed.

A motion to close the hall was carried. An advertisement was placed in the local papers notifying closure of the hall from 28 June 1977. The furniture and hall contents were sold at the ‘Woburn’ clearing sale on 9 July 1977.

1980: the closure of the hall did not stop the bills from accruing. Bombala Shire was asked to waive the rates as there was no income for the hall. Another discussion on the hall’s future resulted in a 5 year reprieve, then the matter of demolition or repair would be reviewed. The Bungarby Memorial Hall Committee was disbanded on 31 May 1980 and funds from the hall and all other community groups were transferred to the newly formed Bungarby Community Committee.

1984: all financial obligations and commitments were discontinued and the balance of cash in hand was placed in a savings investment account managed by the executive of the B.C.C. It was decided that the hall be left intact and any problems be dealt with by the executive.

1992: there was discussion as to whether the Fire Brigade should be given permission to erect a new shed on the hall grounds. Discussion also took place regarding refurbishing the hall in conjunction with the S.E.S.

1993: investigations were made to transfer title of the hall grounds to the Community of Bungarby. The owner at that time (Mr J Campbell) required that if the title was transferred the hall be left intact for 10 years.

1994: Council advised that the hall land could be sub-divided. A decision was made not to proceed with Heritage funding at that time. Three options for transfer of land were presented:

Mr Campbell thought ninety-nine year lease as being the best option but would consider transfer to Council as a way of avoiding community expense. There was discussion on the role of the hall in the community. A vote resolved that option three, subject to Roslyn Partnership approval, be the course to be pursued.

1995: Bungarby Community Committee held further discussions on transfer of ownership of hall and land. Mr J Campbell said the problem was the hall. There appeared to be no interest and no maintenance. If this was to be the way in the future the hall would have to be demolished. It was pointed out that in the late seventies it was decided the hall should be closed and all the contents were sold to this end.

1995: Bungarby Community Committee was disbanded after no nominations were received for office bearers on the committee. It was agreed that a new organisation be formed when the land title was clarified. A notice was placed in the local papers notifying the disbanding of the Bungarby Community Committee. After payment of public notices the balance of funds was transferred to the Bungarby Bushfire Brigade Social Fund.

Ten years elapsed from the May 1993 requirement by the owner that the hall be left intact. Bombala Council acquired the property in 2002 for community use. In November 2003 a public meeting was called to once again discuss the future of the hall.

Bombala Council Building Inspector, Mr Grantley Ingram, presented some facts in relation to the hall. Under the Australian Building Code provisions the hall is currently classified as a Class 10 structure (a non-habitable building or structure — e.g. a private garage, carport, shed).

To restore the hall to a structure suitable for public functions could cost upwards of $100,000 and would require rewiring for lighting, a fire escape and sprinklers, as well as structural restoration. Public liability insurance requirements (currently a Council responsibility) would change and a hall committee would need to take out independent Public Liability Insurance for each function held in the hall.

A vote by those present at the public meeting produced the following results:

Partial demolition (verandah, supper room, ticket room, servery) and restore the remainder: 18 votes

Complete demolition: 16 votes

Complete restoration: 4 votes

Following the vote nominations were called and a committee was elected. An application for establishment of a Section 355 Committee under the Local Government Act was approved by Bombala Council in 2004.

The current committee is now going through the motions again; it seems to come around every 10 years or so. There are plenty of reasons for restoring and maintaining the hall, least of which is the memories of past functions and the fact that the Hall was a focal point for social activities in the Bungarby area before the advent of television and computer games!!

There is also historical significance associated with the hall. Some of the material used in the construction, particularly the corrugated iron, is being researched and may prove to be quite rare. The committee members are prepared to donate their time and efforts to continue research, begin fund raising and source other funding through various grant schemes.

However, unless the whole Bungarby community is behind the project, there is little point in continuing. To this end we, the Bungarby Memorial Hall Preservation Committee, are now asking for assistance. We DO NOT want financial donations at this time; rather we would appreciate a commitment or promise of financial support so we can gauge the viability of continuing our planning.

Depending on community response, a decision will be made at the next AGM (tentative date 18 Feb 2006 or 25 March 2006, to fit around the local show dates) as to the future of the committee, and in the long term, the hall itself.