Parnaroo Hall purchased 1904: originally the Wool Store of Parnaroo Station Shearing Shed. Mid North South Australia

Welcome to The Parnaroo Hall

The Parnaroo Hall, formerly the Wool Store of the Parnaroo Station Shearing Shed, was erected in 1875 and was part of Alexander McCulloch’s holdings.

The two acres on which the Hall stands was purchased from the Government in1904 by the residents of the Hundred of Parnaroo for £400. The Hall was used by the community for church services, weddings and receptions, recreation, polling booths, dances, welcome homes, farewells as well as everything else the community engaged in until 1975.

 

The Hundred of Parnaroo comprises 127 square miles and the families who lived there are recognised on the pavers in front of the Hall.

Appreciative thanks go posthumously to Roma Schulz, nee Mattey, whose extraordinary research published in ‘Deceptive Lands’ 1968, provided much of the information for this project.

Current Trustees of the Parnaroo Hall are the Peterborough History Group SA Inc. Ref: Plaque near front of the hall.

 

The launch of the engraved pavers laid in front of the Parnaroo Community Hall was held 27 May 2023, commemorating the hall and the People of the Hundred of Parnaroo.

 

Following is some History of Parnaroo Hall from where Ration Books were issued during World War Two :-

*Parnaroo March 6

The Parnaroo Hall, recently purchased from the Government, was on the 3rd inst formally opened by Mr E E Kernot, in the presence of about 200 people. The building, which is a splendid stone one, with stage fixings and dressing rooms, measuring 100 x 50 feet, was most tastefully decorated, for which Mr and Mrs O'Toole are mainly to be thanked.

After speeches had been made dancing was indulged in.

Mr T Donellan ably acted as MC. [Ref: Petersburg Times (SA) 7-3-1905]

 

*Wedding at Parnaroo

The usually quiet but picturesque locality on which stands the Parnaroo head station was en fete on Thursday, May 2nd, the occasion being the marriage of Miss Ellen O'Toole, daughter of Mr John O'Toole, of Parnaroo, to Mr Michael Lennon, of Broken Hill.

 

The Parnaroo Institute Hall, lately acquired by the residents from the Government, was the rendezvous of the invited guests and the parties immediately concerned. For the present occasion the interior was beautifully decorated with evergreens, imitation horseshoes (for luck) and colours of all lands interlaced, making it a veritable fairy bower.

 

At one end a temporary altar had been erected, at which the impressive Catholic marriage service was conducted by the Rev J H Norton, of Petersburg. The bride was dressed in rich white satin with silk trimmings, which, with the usual orange blossoms and veil, looked pretty indeed. The Misses Lizzie and Mary O'Toole were the bridesmaids, and both were dressed in cream figured lustre with cream trimmings. Messrs John and Thomas O'Toole were groomsmen.

 

The Rev J H Norton gave the toast of "The Bride and Bridegroom”, and in a neat and appropriate speech gave good and homely advice to the newly-married couple.

 

The presents received were varied, valuable and numerous: a gift from the manager, overseer and employees of Ucolta and McCoy's Well Station, was a gold bracelet, set with rubies and pearls, and silver dinner cruet, suitably inscribed.

 

The intervening time before dancing commenced was filled by games and an impromptu concert. Dancing then commenced, and was kept up till morning. [Ref: Quorn Mercury (SA)16-5-1905]

 

*Parnaroo July 26th

When it became known that Mr and Mrs J Faulkner were leaving the district the residents decided to tender them a farewell social, which duly took place on the 21st inst, in the Parnaroo Hall. The attendance was large, and included many visitors from Terowie, Oodla Wirra, Dawson, Nackara, Gumbowie and surrounding districts.

 

Mr T J Donnellan, who presided, expressed his regret at the departure of Mr and Mrs Faulkner, who during a long residence in the district had earned the respect and esteem of the residents generally: he had always found Mr Faulkner an upright, and honest gentleman, and his place would be hard to fill. Mr H W Rasmus on behalf of the residents of Parnaroo and district, presented Mr Faulkner with a handsome silver mounted pipe, and Mrs Faulkner with a pretty silver cake stand. In a neat and appropriate speech, Mr Rasmus referred to the many excellent qualities of Mr and Mrs Faulkner, whom he described as ideal residents, they would be greatly missed by the people of Parnaroo.

 

Dancing was indulged in and kept going with vigour till broad daylight, when the singing of Auld Lang Syne concluded one of the most successful and enjoyable social functions ever held in the Parnaroo Hall. [Ref: Petersburg Times (SA) 3-8-1909]

 

*Wedding Bells McInerney – O’Toole

A wedding in which all the residents of Parnaroo and a large number of Petersburg took the utmost interest took place on Tuesday, in the Parnaroo Hall, when Mr John McInerney, youngest son of the late J J McInerney Esq of Petersburg, and Miss M J O’Toole, third daughter of Mr J J O’Toole of Panaroo were made one.

 

The Rev Father O'Rourke performed the ceremony. The ceremony took place at 10 am in the District Hall. Early in the morning the guests began to arrive, and by the appointed hour the hall was crowded. The bride looked sweetly pretty in a dress of cream figured silk, trimmed with orange blossom.

After the ceremony a wedding breakfast was partaken of, at which Father O'Rourke proposed the health of the couple.

The bridal party were photographed by Mr H Drew in a pretty spot near the creek.

The whole party then gave themselves up to the enjoyment of games which were kept up, almost without intermission, throughout the whole day.

 

In the evening, after a little rest and a meal which will linger in the memory of the guests for many the company again proceeded to the hall, where dancing was indulged in and continued until daylight. The newly wedded couple, accompanied by many of the guests, then drove nine miles to catch the express for Adelaide [Ref: Petersburg Times (SA)13-1-1911]

 

*A very enjoyable dance was held in the Parnaroo Institute on June 6th. Mr H Leaney acted as MC and Mr L Kloss supplied the music. [Ref: Petersburg Times (SA) 26-6-1914]

 

*Patriotic Parnaroo

A successful concert and dance was held in the Parnaroo Hall on Saturday night in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund, as a result of which the handsome sum of £16 16/ has been handed Mr Alex Jamieson (Mayor of Petersburg). The hall was tastefully decorated with flags of the Allies.

 

At the close of the programme all the school children sang "Britannia," saluted the flag, and finished with the National Anthem. Great credit is due to the local teacher (Miss McLaughlin) for the manner in which the children were trained. [Ref: Petersburg Times (SA) 27-8-1915]

 

*Parnaroo - A welcome home social convened by Messrs Saunders, Darrah, and Skeen was given in the local spacious hall on August 1 to Sgt T Evans, Sgt R Evans, and Pte Nash. Pte W Sanders, born at Parnaroo. but enlisted from Tasmania, was also welcomed.

Mr R A Bohme (President Peterborough Cheer Ups) was in the chair. Other speakers were Mr H Rasmus and Mr S Saunders, who presented a gold medal to each of the returned soldiers, on behalf of the Parnaroo residents. Sgt T Evans suitably responded on behalf of comrades and himself.

 

Dancing, under management of Mr Donellan, was indulged. Thanks are due to the Parnaroo ladies for the supper arrangements. It was unanimously agreed that the social was a huge success. [Ref: Times and Northern Advertiser, Peterborough, South Australia (SA) 15-8-1919]

 

*Peterborough Country News

On Saturday evening last the band and a party travelled out to Parnaroo, where a dance was held in aid of the hospital funds. A most enjoyable evening was spent. The band supplied music for the dance, which was held in the old wool shed and comic recitations by Mr Clapp evoked considerable applause. The mayor and mayoress of Peterborough were present. Mrs O’Toole with other ladies, provided a supper. The takings were £37 10/. [Ref: Daily Herald (Adelaide SA) 26-7-1921]

 

*Parnaroo School Picnic

The annual school picnic was held at Parnaroo on Saturday, November 8. A euchre tournament and dance followed. The success of this picnic was due to Miss Giles, the sports committee, and the parents of the children.

The euchre tournament was won by J O'Dea. Supper was served by the ladies. [Ref: Chronicle (Adelaide SA) 22-11-1924]

 

*A dance was held in the Parnaroo Woolshed, on Saturday, December 19th, which proved to be an all round success. The most virtuous point was the select and sociable class who attended on that most auspicious occasion. It was totally free from undesirables and such like: even the only unwanted in the district, must have realised his position, as he made his presence felt by his absence.

 

The committee desire to thank those who patronised from Peterborough, Black Rock, Oodla Wirra, Yunta, Terowie, and Bendigo. They are determined to run their dances on clean, straight lines, free from larrikans and thieves. Our patrons will shortly find themselves dancing to piano music in this hall. Supper was provided by the ladies. Messrs O'Toole and Polomka supplied the music, while Mr Joe O'Toole made an efficient MC. Though the night was warm to hot, dancing continued until daybreak, when all returned to their homes perfectly satisfied. [Ref: Times and Northern Advertiser, Peterborough, South Australia (SA) 25-12-1936]

 

*Saturday January 20

Farewell dance to Peterborough and Paratoo Troops at Parnaroo. Good music and supper. Times and Northern Advertiser, Peterborough, South Australia (SA) 12-1-1940]

 

*Dance at Parnaroo

An enthusiastic and energetic committee is busily making final preparations for a dance to be held in the Parnaroo Hall on Saturday (tomorrow) June 5th.

There will be first class music and the usual delicious home made supper, assuring all patrons of a most enjoyable time. Proceeds of the function are for the Hall Fund. [Ref: Times and Northern Advertiser, Peterborough, South Australia (SA) 4-6-1948]

 

*Parnaroo Sports

We have pleasure in publishing, a little late, the results of the very successful sports held at Parnaroo on January 3rd. It was estimated that over 1,000 people were present, and with the very enjoyable dance in the Parnaroo Hall that night, £130 was cleared for the hall funds. We have been asked to express the thanks of the Committee to the donors of trophies and prizemoney, and to all those who helped in any way to make the day such a success. Sincere regret is expressed at the accidents which happened to Messrs Reg Howard and Ken Richards. [Ref: Times and Northern Advertiser, Peterborough, South Australia (SA) 4-2-1949]

 

 

 

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