Penola former Foresters' Lodge opened 10 September 1873. South Australia
Penola Foresters’ Lodge
Following the foundation of the Foresters’ Lodge Penola Branch in 1862, land was eventually purchased in 1871 and this building was opened 10 September 1873.
As membership declined the hall was used by other organisations and churches until the property was sold in 1960 to A & C Davis and used as a tyre and battery sales area.
Beaurepaires bought the business and premises in 1984 and occupied it until 2000.
Penola Branch National Trust South Australia purchased the building in 1994 and sold it to L V Dohnt & Co in 2001.
Ref: National Trust Penola Branch
*Penola Opening of the Foresters’ Hall
The new Hall is situated in Arthur Street, opposite the Institute and Presbyterian Church, and consists at present of the Court room, 22 x 23, and two smaller rooms in front, with wide passage. The front is an unpretending one but being not quite finished as regards the cement dressings, does not present so good an appearance as it ultimately will.
The front of the hall had been decorated with evergreens, flowers, and flags, in the arrangement of which POR Brewster's tasteful hand was evident. The interior was well filled with seats for all comers, and the Court Dispensation Board, some pictures of the Order, and some flags, served to give a pretty and neat effect. I observed the ancient banner of the Foresters there, which had evidently seen some severe service.
At four o'clock the Brothers assembled at their old Court, and, headed by the Penola Band, marched down Alfred Street, where they were joined by the Rechabites, thence up Arthur Street to the main road, where the members of the Loyal Penola Lodge of Oddfellows kindly headed the procession. The principal streets in the township were marched through.
When the head of the Procession reached the hall the Brethren opened out in two lines, through which the Building Committee, Mr Riddoch, and others marched. On reaching the Hall door Mr Riddoch was presented with the key and requested by the Committee to open the Hall, which he did, and all passed in.
The Chairman (Mr G Riddoch) then said : Gentlemen I am very proud to be placed in the position I now occupy.
In declaring this hall, erected by the Brethren of Court Benevolence No. 3,811 of the Ancient order of Foresters open, I must express a fervent hope that it will be the means of more firmly establishing the Court, as well as doing much good to the Brotherhood.
The site on which the Hall stands was bought about two years ago and the cost was £72 12s. The architect for the present building is Mr T H Artaud, and the builders are Messrs Blyth and Harris, for the masonry, Messrs J & J Riddoch, for the carpenters' work, and Mr C Smith, for the plastering, the amount of these contracts being £323 13s 9d., and I am proud to be able to tell you that this amount with the exception of a few pounds, has been paid, but we anticipate that when the hall is fenced in and properly finished that the expenditure will be altogether about £450.
The Dinner took place at the Royal Oak Hotel. Of course every one expected to see a good muster, but the expectations were more than realized, and when 50 had turned up, and the cry was “still they come," the worthy host began to scratch his head.
The partitions between the rooms had to come down, other tables were provided, and in about a quarter of an hour every one was able to commence. The muster was the largest ever seen at Penola, 72 being seated at the table.
The Ball was held at the Institute Hall. There were about 88 couples present, and the ladies turned out in full force and beauty. The night was spent in dancing.
The Supper was held at the new Hall.
Ref: Border Watch (Mount Gambier SA) Saturday 13 September 1873.
Penola former Foresters' Lodge opened 10 September 1873. South Australia
Penola Foresters’ Lodge
Following the foundation of the Foresters’ Lodge Penola Branch in 1862, land was eventually purchased in 1871 and this building was opened 10 September 1873.
As membership declined the hall was used by other organisations and churches until the property was sold in 1960 to A & C Davis and used as a tyre and battery sales area.
Beaurepaires bought the business and premises in 1984 and occupied it until 2000.
Penola Branch National Trust South Australia purchased the building in 1994 and sold it to L V Dohnt & Co in 2001.
Ref: National Trust Penola Branch
*Penola Opening of the Foresters’ Hall
The new Hall is situated in Arthur Street, opposite the Institute and Presbyterian Church, and consists at present of the Court room, 22 x 23, and two smaller rooms in front, with wide passage. The front is an unpretending one but being not quite finished as regards the cement dressings, does not present so good an appearance as it ultimately will.
The front of the hall had been decorated with evergreens, flowers, and flags, in the arrangement of which POR Brewster's tasteful hand was evident. The interior was well filled with seats for all comers, and the Court Dispensation Board, some pictures of the Order, and some flags, served to give a pretty and neat effect. I observed the ancient banner of the Foresters there, which had evidently seen some severe service.
At four o'clock the Brothers assembled at their old Court, and, headed by the Penola Band, marched down Alfred Street, where they were joined by the Rechabites, thence up Arthur Street to the main road, where the members of the Loyal Penola Lodge of Oddfellows kindly headed the procession. The principal streets in the township were marched through.
When the head of the Procession reached the hall the Brethren opened out in two lines, through which the Building Committee, Mr Riddoch, and others marched. On reaching the Hall door Mr Riddoch was presented with the key and requested by the Committee to open the Hall, which he did, and all passed in.
The Chairman (Mr G Riddoch) then said : Gentlemen I am very proud to be placed in the position I now occupy.
In declaring this hall, erected by the Brethren of Court Benevolence No. 3,811 of the Ancient order of Foresters open, I must express a fervent hope that it will be the means of more firmly establishing the Court, as well as doing much good to the Brotherhood.
The site on which the Hall stands was bought about two years ago and the cost was £72 12s. The architect for the present building is Mr T H Artaud, and the builders are Messrs Blyth and Harris, for the masonry, Messrs J & J Riddoch, for the carpenters' work, and Mr C Smith, for the plastering, the amount of these contracts being £323 13s 9d., and I am proud to be able to tell you that this amount with the exception of a few pounds, has been paid, but we anticipate that when the hall is fenced in and properly finished that the expenditure will be altogether about £450.
The Dinner took place at the Royal Oak Hotel. Of course every one expected to see a good muster, but the expectations were more than realized, and when 50 had turned up, and the cry was “still they come," the worthy host began to scratch his head.
The partitions between the rooms had to come down, other tables were provided, and in about a quarter of an hour every one was able to commence. The muster was the largest ever seen at Penola, 72 being seated at the table.
The Ball was held at the Institute Hall. There were about 88 couples present, and the ladies turned out in full force and beauty. The night was spent in dancing.
The Supper was held at the new Hall.
Ref: Border Watch (Mount Gambier SA) Saturday 13 September 1873.