By Tania Martin
KALORAMA residents have proven that a bit of grit and determination and a lot of passion could save almost anything.
They spent the past four years campaigning to save the town hall.
More than 250 people gathered at the hall in Farndons Road last Sunday for the official re-opening after a David and Goliath battle to save the beloved meeting place.
It all began in September 2005, when a report to the Shire of Yarra Ranges recommended the sale of the hall.
At the time, the Mail reported that residents were furious over the proposed sell-off and since then they’ve rallied to save the 99-year-old hall.
The council report said it would cost more than $50,000 to repair before it could be opened to the public.
In January last year the council unanimously moved to give the hall committee a chance to fix the hall up.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said the re-opening was a day that she thought would never come.
“It’s a credit to you all to see this happening,” she said.
Committee spokeswoman Jean Blencowe said it was fantastic to see the hall open at last. She said it had taken a lot of work but that the community had pulled together to make it happen.
Mayor Len Cox said it was hard to believe that it was over four years ago that council staff and fellow councillors attempted to get rid of the hall.
“Cr Cliff and I are the only two surviving councillors from that time,” he said.
“It’s amazing what time does.”
Cr Cox said the hall always had potential to be great.
“We were told it wasn’t being used but what we didn’t know is that residents weren’t allowed inside,” he said.
Cr Cox said he was always confident the hall would be returned to its former glory. “It was dirty and in need of minor repairs,” he said.
Streeton Ward’s Cr Noel Cliff said it was fantastic to get a win for the people.
He said it had been a long fought battle but one that was worth all the effort.
Cr Cliff said the victory showed what a community could achieve if they pull together.
“It’s fantastic to see this finally happening and seeing the hall come alive,” he said.
The hall will now be used by the town’s Country Women’s Association, historical society, pre-school and primary school and will be hired out to interested groups.
