THE community hall at Emerald Hill has a new lease on life with local residents getting together to utilise the facility.
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Emerald Hill residents are looking forward to welcoming visitors on Thursday, May 29, to the Emerald Hill CWA and Emerald Hill Progress Association Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea, at 10am. The cost is $5. The contact person is Shirley Urquhart (0407 945 123).
A fun-filled Mosaic Workshop, run by the Emerald Hill Progress Association, will be held at the hall on Saturday, May 31, to raise funds. For further details and material list contact Jo McCalman (0408 819 474).
On Friday, June 20, Gunnedah Conservatorium and the Emerald Hill Hall Committee will present a sensational night of music and dancing with a bus running from Gunnedah.
The amazing String Contingent will be the star attraction, along with a stunning night sky across the vast plains and a view that stretches to the Nandewar Ranges.
The hall committee will fire up the barbecue, offering the opportunity to purchase dinner before the show, with outdoor drum fires to keep the cool night air at bay. Book online at www.stickytickets.com.au/17111 or pay at the door.
The Emerald Hill Progress Association was formed last year when a concerned group of local residents met in response to Gunnedah Shire Council’s call for expressions of interest to sell the Emerald Hill Hall.
Established in June 1922, Emerald Hill CWA, is the second oldest branch in the state and as it was the only incorporated body to use the hall, the newly formed progress association met in the hall with CWA members in attendance.
As a result, nine new enthusiastic members have joined the branch and membership has swelled to 25, with meetings held on the second Thursday of the month at 9.30am. Many interesting projects are being planned for members.
The Emerald Hill Progress Association, now an incorporated body, meets on the last Thursday of the month at 5pm and already has a membership of 34.
A variety of social activities has been planned and the association is also addressing issues affecting the local area.
The hall was built with community spirit after a meeting was called on August 20, 1922, to organise finance and voluntary working bees.
Ted Griffiths was elected chairman and it was agreed that one pound ($2) shares be sponsored in the district, with 158 shares taken out. The hall cost more than 600 pounds, including the piano and furniture.
The Emerald Hill Hall was officially opened on April 22, 1922, by Mrs EA Griffiths, wife of the hall building committee President. Sports were held all day and more than 100 couples danced the night away in the hall.
In 1927, the interior of the hall was lined at a cost of 75 pounds, with a kitchen erected the following year by the successful tenderer, Moorehouse and Son, at a cost of 64 pounds.
To raise funds a live pigeon shoot and ball were held on November 8, 1927, with each shooter paying five shillings for a nine-bird sweep. The prizemoney was five pounds.
At night Bridge’s Jazz Band supplied music and the charge for the ball was five shillings for men and three shillings for women.
Electricity was connected to the hall on October 7, 1954, after local district residents had contributed to the fund.
The railway line came to Emerald Hill in 1882 with the station built the following year.
Emerald Hill was within the Burburgate run and early selectors included Thomas Foreman, Richard Lumby, Alfred Lumby, Michael Hussey, Hugh Fraser, Simon Fraser and WG Baker and sons.
