Geranium Memorial Hall formerly Institute: image of the opening day and the hall just before demolition. Murray Mallee South Australia
The original Geranium Institute was a tin shed. In 1922 a stone institute was built in front of the tin shed, in memory of the Fallen Heroes of the First World War.
Mr F Norton, who lost two sons in the war, laid the foundation stone on the 20th May 1922.
Mrs W J Mitchell, the oldest resident living in the district, opened the institute on 22nd September 1922.
The new institute cost £1248. The money was raised by donations and fundraising functions. The hall was used for many events, balls, dances, church, weddings, farewells, strawberry fetes, meetings and concerts. The library was also house in the institute.
In 1986 the name was changed to Geranium Memorial Hall.
Despite great efforts to maintain the hall, it was slowly deteriorating and considered unsafe. Late in 2004 it was closed by the Southern Mallee District Council and in June 2006 it was demolished.
The hall stood opposite the adjacent cairn which houses the original foundation stone and is a tribute to the memory of the hall which served the community for 95 years. Ref: Geranium Memorial Hall story board.
*The First Institute
A meeting was held on Saturday evening in the Mission Hall to consider the question of erecting an institute hall. There was a good attendance, and the idea was enthusiastically entertained. A committee was formed, of which Mr J Cochrane was appointed chairman and Mr Charles A Paige, secretary. It was decided to open a subscription list, and the local response has been so generous that nearly half the amount required has been assured, and the committee feel justified in proceeding at once with the plans. A meeting will be held next week, when the size of the structure etc, will be definitely settled and a final site selected. It is expected that the hall will be completed at an early date, and a library instituted, affiliated with the Public Library Board. [Ref: Pinnaroo Country News (Lameroo SA) 5-3-1909]
The erection of the Institute Hall has been completed, but another room is to be added to serve as a reading-room. The official opening will take place on May 26. The institute will be affiliated with the Public Library Board. [Ref: Pinnaroo Country News (Lameroo SA) 14-5-1909]
The opening of the Geranium Institute was performed by Councillor W Mitchell last Wednesday night. The president of the institute (Mr Joseph Cochrane), in introducing Mr Mitchell, referred to the gratifying success that had attended the committee’s efforts, in establishing the institute, the local response exceeding their most sanguine hopes. In addition to the hall the committee were enabled to erect a reading-room, and to further increase the advantages it had been decided to affiliate the institute with the Public Library Board.
Mr Mitchell congratulated the members and committee upon the results of their splendid labours, and hoped the library would receive the support it merited. He declared the hall open.
The hall which was well illuminated and tastefully decorated, was soon full.
A good programme of songs and pianoforte recitals was presented. Mr 0 Weidenhofer acted as MC for the dance, and Misses Paige and Mitchell supplied the music.
Much credit is due to Mr C A Paige, secretary to the committee of management, for the social and financial success of the affair. [Ref: Pinnaroo Country News (Lameroo SA) 4-6-1909]
*The Second Institute
On Saturday the foundation stone of the new hall was laid by Mr F Norton, an ex-resident, who was specially requested to return for the occasion. The stone was inscribed 'In memory of our fallen heroes.'
Mr R C Jacob (president of the committee) referred to the splendid way in which the people of the district had made the building of the hall possible.
Before laying the stone Mr Norton spoke of the many difficulties that had been overcome by the committee, of which he is an ex-member, including the abnormal price of building material and bad seasons. He spoke of the fine work done by the ladies.
After the stone was laid 'The Song of Australia' was sung by the gathering. The school children rendered an item. 'Colours of the Flag,' each child having a Union Jack. The fine sum of £55 was donated.
Tea and a concert followed. The hall fund will benefit to the extent of £64 in all. [Ref: Chronicle (Adelaide SA) 3-6-1922]
On Wednesday the largest crowd ever entertained in the town, including visitors from Lameroo, Wilkawatt, Parrakie, Marama, Jabuk, and Peake, assembled to witness the opening of the hall recently erected in memory of the fallen heroes of this district. The hall measures 60 ft x 83 ft 6 in, with a 14 x 2l ft stage, and is estimated to cost about £1,00 [sic]. The old hall is now used as a supper room at the rear of the new one.
Mrs W J Mitchell, the oldest lady resident, declared the hall open.
A public tea and concert were held, from which the hall will benefit by £54. [Ref: Chronicle (Adelaide SA) 23-9-1922]
Geranium Memorial Hall formerly Institute: image of the opening day and the hall just before demolition. Murray Mallee South Australia
The original Geranium Institute was a tin shed. In 1922 a stone institute was built in front of the tin shed, in memory of the Fallen Heroes of the First World War.
Mr F Norton, who lost two sons in the war, laid the foundation stone on the 20th May 1922.
Mrs W J Mitchell, the oldest resident living in the district, opened the institute on 22nd September 1922.
The new institute cost £1248. The money was raised by donations and fundraising functions. The hall was used for many events, balls, dances, church, weddings, farewells, strawberry fetes, meetings and concerts. The library was also house in the institute.
In 1986 the name was changed to Geranium Memorial Hall.
Despite great efforts to maintain the hall, it was slowly deteriorating and considered unsafe. Late in 2004 it was closed by the Southern Mallee District Council and in June 2006 it was demolished.
The hall stood opposite the adjacent cairn which houses the original foundation stone and is a tribute to the memory of the hall which served the community for 95 years. Ref: Geranium Memorial Hall story board.
*The First Institute
A meeting was held on Saturday evening in the Mission Hall to consider the question of erecting an institute hall. There was a good attendance, and the idea was enthusiastically entertained. A committee was formed, of which Mr J Cochrane was appointed chairman and Mr Charles A Paige, secretary. It was decided to open a subscription list, and the local response has been so generous that nearly half the amount required has been assured, and the committee feel justified in proceeding at once with the plans. A meeting will be held next week, when the size of the structure etc, will be definitely settled and a final site selected. It is expected that the hall will be completed at an early date, and a library instituted, affiliated with the Public Library Board. [Ref: Pinnaroo Country News (Lameroo SA) 5-3-1909]
The erection of the Institute Hall has been completed, but another room is to be added to serve as a reading-room. The official opening will take place on May 26. The institute will be affiliated with the Public Library Board. [Ref: Pinnaroo Country News (Lameroo SA) 14-5-1909]
The opening of the Geranium Institute was performed by Councillor W Mitchell last Wednesday night. The president of the institute (Mr Joseph Cochrane), in introducing Mr Mitchell, referred to the gratifying success that had attended the committee’s efforts, in establishing the institute, the local response exceeding their most sanguine hopes. In addition to the hall the committee were enabled to erect a reading-room, and to further increase the advantages it had been decided to affiliate the institute with the Public Library Board.
Mr Mitchell congratulated the members and committee upon the results of their splendid labours, and hoped the library would receive the support it merited. He declared the hall open.
The hall which was well illuminated and tastefully decorated, was soon full.
A good programme of songs and pianoforte recitals was presented. Mr 0 Weidenhofer acted as MC for the dance, and Misses Paige and Mitchell supplied the music.
Much credit is due to Mr C A Paige, secretary to the committee of management, for the social and financial success of the affair. [Ref: Pinnaroo Country News (Lameroo SA) 4-6-1909]
*The Second Institute
On Saturday the foundation stone of the new hall was laid by Mr F Norton, an ex-resident, who was specially requested to return for the occasion. The stone was inscribed 'In memory of our fallen heroes.'
Mr R C Jacob (president of the committee) referred to the splendid way in which the people of the district had made the building of the hall possible.
Before laying the stone Mr Norton spoke of the many difficulties that had been overcome by the committee, of which he is an ex-member, including the abnormal price of building material and bad seasons. He spoke of the fine work done by the ladies.
After the stone was laid 'The Song of Australia' was sung by the gathering. The school children rendered an item. 'Colours of the Flag,' each child having a Union Jack. The fine sum of £55 was donated.
Tea and a concert followed. The hall fund will benefit to the extent of £64 in all. [Ref: Chronicle (Adelaide SA) 3-6-1922]
On Wednesday the largest crowd ever entertained in the town, including visitors from Lameroo, Wilkawatt, Parrakie, Marama, Jabuk, and Peake, assembled to witness the opening of the hall recently erected in memory of the fallen heroes of this district. The hall measures 60 ft x 83 ft 6 in, with a 14 x 2l ft stage, and is estimated to cost about £1,00 [sic]. The old hall is now used as a supper room at the rear of the new one.
Mrs W J Mitchell, the oldest lady resident, declared the hall open.
A public tea and concert were held, from which the hall will benefit by £54. [Ref: Chronicle (Adelaide SA) 23-9-1922]