A photograph of the original Warragul Exhibition Hall in Howitt St c1960.
Following on from its early history as Dan Moore's garage, detailed in last week's Gazette, plans for an exhibition shed of 120 feet by 45 feet were submitted to the Rural City of Warragul in 1935. This coincided with the year of the Victorian Centenary.
In 1937, the new shed was built of corrugated iron with a sand floor. The front timber section, which had been the garage, was retained and used as the area for poultry exhibitions. As a result, the locals affectionally described the building as "the chook shed".
There was a laneway on the south side of the building, next to the caretaker's cottage, which became the main entrance. It remained the main entrance to the exhibition shed from Howitt St until the Memorial Gates were added.
Apart from the period when the Warragul Agricultural Show was held, the corrugated iron building offered a very large space. One section was partitioned off on the western end with a temporary timber floor added. This section was where the scouts and cubs had their meetings.
The other section of the hall was used by the youth club, mainly for training boxers. Lionel Rose, who went on to be world bantamweight champion, was one of these youths. Glen Patterson and Dave Proctor were two of those who provided this activity.
When it was show time, all partitions were dismantled to turn the shed into one big area for the exhibition of local produce. Trestle tables were set up to display craft work, arts, cookery, vegetables, flowers and flower arrangements, and exhibits from the primary and secondary schools. All of these exhibits were judged, with first, second and third prizes awarded and the owner's name displayed on the certificates.
When the scouting movement moved to their own premises in Bowen St and the youth club changed to using the other premises, the corrugated hall had a timber floor laid with a stage built at the eastern end.
The interior was still unlined, so those running functions provided their own decorations.
From the 1950s, the hall was used for dances and very spectacular balls.
In 1973, a new entrance and the corrugated iron building was replaced with a completely new brick building. The annex along the side was designed for storage of trestles and chairs.
The frontage was later updated to add an improved entrance foyer, toilets and a kitchen.
Over the years, the hall has been used as a major meeting space and hosted political rallies, trade fairs, touring events such as "the Wiggles", magic shows and other entertainment.
The Blue Light Disco, run by Warragul police, was an extremely successful event which provided entertainment for the youth of the town during the 1980s.
From the 1980s, playgroups have used the building as a base for young children to socialise together. These playgroups gave young mothers the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas and concerns, resulting in the development of many firm friendships.
Photograph and information courtesy of the Warragul and District Historical Society.
The society's museum in the old shire hall offers many historical photographs and objects. It is open to the public every Thursday from 10am to 2pm, on the second and fourth Sunday of the month from 2pm to 4pm or via appointment.