Often they are the only common place for the village’s residents – who can live hundreds of kilometres apart – to meet up and hold various social functions.

They have been home to everything from old-time bush dances to weddings and 21^st birthday parties, kids’ discos and car boots sales to Christmas parties and presentations over the years.

But, like most things, keeping them alive and operating has become clouded by red-tape hurdles and rising costs.

Gunnedah Shire Council must be applauded for recognising the importance the district’s 10 community halls have in their respective villages. 

Council has made the decision to broaden the scope on insurance contributions to give these halls, and those who use it, a fighting chance. It follows a $20,000 injection in June to assist the halls’ users with ongoing public liability costs.

There were originally three insurance types the villages’ progress associations had to cover to be allowed to use the hall, including voluntary workers’ insurance.

But this new arrangement will allow “real” progress to take shape at these halls because not as many dollars will be poured into bottomless insurance pits.

Emerald Hill Progress Association vice president Fiona Johnson says council’s latest decision will help ease financial pressure because a large chunk of fundraising efforts was spent on insurance bills.

Money saved on insurance can now be poured back into improving the facility to ensure it can keep its doors – and history – alive.

Council agreed to broaden the scope of financial reimbursement, provided hall associations finalise licence management agreements outstanding since early last year and comply with part of the agreement to form incorporated associations.

We can’t deny insurance is a necessary part of life, especially at public places. It covers council and users when things go wrong. 

This new agreement is a win-win for both councils and villages. Council’s executive manager business systems and governance Colin Formann is right when he says it’s a “win-win” for both parties – it saves council huge administrative costs, and halls and communities have more autonomy to control how they manage their hall.