Hall and District 2009 News Archive

December 2009

Pavilion makeover imminent. - A major refurbishment of the Hall Pavilion will begin next Monday, 4th January. It is expected that the work will be completed by the end of February. The contractors are under pressure to ensure that it will be available for the National Sheep...
Hall Primary School - the verdict - The ACT Government has rejected the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Education Training and Youth Affairs that "it immediately commences the process to reopen the Hall and Tharwa Primary Schools". The Government...
Know Anything About Belconnen's Heritage? - The Conservation Council ACT Region is putting together a booklet entitled 'Belconnen's Treasures - a guide to interpreting the region's heritage'. The project is assisted by the ACT Government through the ACT Heritage Grants Program. The booklet...
The camels are coming - Yes - they are camels! Early morning dog walkers and exercisers have had to look twice at the small group of four legged beasts grazing on the showground for the past couple of days. They were looking after themselves when we went down to take...
Camels in Hall - Bernadette Sutton and her husband Rob have lead their four camels from Gympie down the Bicentennial National Trail. They are self-funded and own the camels, which are from the wild, except one. Their journey ends in Healsville. Victoria....
Views on vision wanted - ON EXHIBITION The Yass Valley Council is seeking comments from members of the public on the Draft Yass Valley Vision Statement. Copies of the document may be obtained from Yass Valley Council's Administration Office, the Yass Valley Library...

November 2009

It's your cottage now - Renovations of the former principal's cottage at the school are now completed, and although some formalities are still to be finalised, the Hall Cottage (as we propose to call it) is available for use. A good number of community members dropped...
Commemorating Hall’s Pioneers - At a ceremony at the Peace Tree at Hall School on Remembrance Day, Margaret Morris of Hall hands Ms Kaye Hogan. AM, Deputy Chair, ACT Advisory Board of the Australian Red Cross, a copy of a compilation of articles published by the Queanbeyan...
Hall landscape gets attention - Good news for the local landscape. Residents will soon notice replanting going on in the Hall Reserve (opposite the school), following the tree removal program earlier this year. A substantial number of local species of eucalyptus – notably...
Large crowd for Remembrance Day - The annual Remembrance Day Memorial Service, organised by the Rotary Club of Hall, was attended by approximately 130 people. The crowd included members of the Bush Fire Brigade, senior citizens, young families, and a strong representation of...
Backing our Band - In response to a request for support, the Progress Association has made a donation of six hundred dollars to the Hall Village Brass Band. The money is to enable them to purchase uniform jackets for band members. In handing over a cheque to...

October 2009

A great 'Grand Friends Day' at Preschool - Fourteen children and family members took a trip back in time for 'Grand Friends Day' at the Preschool on Wednesday. The 'oldies' invited along were not just grandparents, but any adults in the children's life. Village elder Bevis Brown was...
Yass Valley Event Sponsorship 2009-2010 - The Yass Valley Development Corporation (YVDC) is calling for applications from Community Groups within the Yass Valley Local Government Area who would like to apply for Event Sponsorship funding for the 2009-2010 financial year. Designed...
All together now - one more push for our school! - "The Committee recommends that, based on the demographic, educational, social and economic evidence presented during the Inquiry, that the Government immediately commences the process to reopen the Hall and Tharwa Primary Schools". Thus recommends...
Hall's new tip? - Locals were gob-smacked at the weekend to discover that 'Spate's corner' (corner of Hoskins and Gibbes) had become a tip overnight. While it is not unknown for the occasional garbage bag to be left lying around, this was a full household clearance...
New community facilities coming - Some time ago we circulated news about the 'community facilities' project that the Progress Association has negotiated with the ACT Government. It is good to be able to report that work is now well underway. Hall Cottage In particular, the...
Great Response from Hall and District - There was a wonderful response by the Hall and District community to the recent tragedy that befell the Gillard family. Lyn Anderson and Susie Fletcher worked tirelessly to encourage people to come to a fund raising dinner and dance which was...
2010 Australia Day Citizen Awards - Yass Valley has its share of local heroes. Many individuals and organisations work tirelessly to support our community. Nominations for the Yass Valley 2010 Australia Day Citizen Awards are now open and this is your chance to nominate someone...

September 2009

Charity Dinner for Derek Gillard and Family - Due to a recent fatal car accident, the Gillard family from Hall are in need of community support. A Charity dinner will be held to raise money for the family on the 30th September at the Abbey Function Centre, Gold Creek. Entertainment by...
News from NSW / Draft Non-Urban Lands Study - Yass Valley Council is currently undertaking a strategic planning program which will guide the development of a new Local Environment Plan (LEP) for the Yass Valley Local Government Area (LGA). The Draft Non-Urban Lands Study is a key project...
Hall community welcomes inquiry report - Hall and district residents are delighted with the findings of the report on school closures by the Standing Committee on Education, Training and Youth Affairs tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly this morning. In particular the recommendation...
It's a Boy - Alex and Kim Tingey are now proud parents of a baby boy. Finn Tingey was born 4 am Monday 7 September by Caesarean section at Nambour Hospital, Qld. He weighed in at 3.6 kg and is 53 cm long. Alex is the son of previous Hall residents Bob...
Hall gains Heritage Grant - On Monday 7 September the Hall and District Progress Association signed a Deed of Grant agreement for $8,745.00 from the 2009-10 ACT Heritage Grants Program for our project Hall School House Museum – Conservation Management Plan and Volunteer...

August 2009

Cottage renovation - 'The Cottage' - the former Principal's residence at the school - will be first to get the refurbishment treatment as part of the Community Facilities' project. Work is expected to begin within the next week and the building will be fenced off...
Congratulations to Hall Brass Band! - On 23 August the Hall Village Brass Band competed in the New South Wales B Grade Band Championships in Penrith and WON! Our warmest congratulations to Colin Fischer and the Band members for the great achievement. Hall Brass Band has started...
Applications for Yass Valley Development Corporation Event Sponsorship 2009 -2010 - The Yass Valley Development Corporation (YVDC) is calling for applications from Community Groups within the Yass Valley Local Government Area who would like to apply for Event Sponsorship funding for the 2009-2010 financial year. Designed...
Family Day at the Footy - Saturday was a great Family day of Football plus a Jumping Castle and Face painting for the Kids. It was a vital clash between the top placed sides. After a ground-breaking win over Goulburn at home, Hall 1st Grade were unlucky to go down...
Low Cost Options for reopening Hall Primary School - Hall residents described four inexpensive options for reopening their treasured primary school in a meeting with Liberal MLA Vicki Dunne at the school today. "Reopening it as it was – a preschool to Year 6 school – is just one option"...
Museum's special visitors - Sixteen people braved the seriously cold weather to 'step back into the past' and visit the Laurie Copping Heritage Centre ( the Hall School Museum) on their way home from the last Hall Markets. Fortunately, it was nice and warm in the building...
Fireside Festival - The Fireside Festival running from 1 - 31 August will be held at 23 venues in the Canberra region. The sound of clinking glasses and a crackling fire, the smell of hot chocolate. Immerse yourself with delicious food, fabulous wine, art and...

July 2009

Hall break-ins - Householders be warned! A second Hall home was broken into on Monday - a similar break-in occurred about a month ago. On this occcasion thieves broke a locked window in the middle of the day, and made off with a collection of electronic goods....
Hall Ball Success! - The inaugural 'Hall Ball' was held last Saturday night as a fundraising event for the Hall Rugby Club, as well as Camp Quality. The Hall hall was filled to capacity, with everyone in attendance dressed in their finest enjoy the night. As ...
Gumnut changes hands - The Gumnut Coffee Shop has been bought by 'neighbours' - Greg Harris, in partnership with Allyson Wedrat and Jim Kroezen. Greg is the owner/manager of Capital Weed Control, operating from offices at Hall Village Court; Allyson and Jim run the...
Great Shave recognition - The generosity of residents of Hall has been officially recognised with the community receiving the first ever Community Spirit Award from the Leukemia Foundation. The award was presented as the Leukemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave...
Hall's top tenant - Our warmest congratulations to Diana Aston, has received the ACT Housing, Tenant of the Month Award! Di lives at number 5 Mulangarri Gardens, where there is always some bright colours in the garden. John Hargraves Minister for Housing made...

June 2009

Going to the dogs?! - The following (unsigned) letter has just been received by the Progress Association: "Dear President, I was wondering if something could be done with the following issues? I have to walk a lot with strict instructions from my General Practitioner....
Yoga - Free Tasters - 'Equalife' our own local yoga teachers, have a special offer for all of Hall. Until July 10, they are offering a free class to anyone who lives or works in Hall. Fliers have been sent out this week that offer a free 'taster' to the community....
Wallaroo dog attacks - During the night of Wednesday 10th of June there was a significant dog attack on sheep in the Wallaroo Rd / Gooromon Ponds Road area. About ten sheep were either killed or had to be destroyed. Attacked sheep were spread across a wide area, suggesting...
Peter O'Clery AM - Our warmest congratulations to our own Peter O'Clery, today a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia! The official citation reproduced in the Canberra Times yesterday reads: "For service to the Australian tourism industry,...
Musos at the Pub - Hugh Watson - a prime mover of the local garage band 'West Texas Crude' - reports on the second "Musos at the Pub", held at the Wood Duck on Monday 1 June. "It drew quite a few guitarists including a young and talented young man as well as...

May 2009

Yoga on Victoria - Hi, my name is Justine and my partner Marcus and I have recently opened a yoga studio in Hall Village at 8 Victoria Street – directly opposite the Premier Store. I have a background as a personal trainer, but was drawn to yoga not only for...
You Beaut Ute Competition - The 2009 Hall Ute Competition and Family Day held at the Hall Polocrosse Ground on Saturday May 9 was an outstanding success with an increase of nearly 50% in entries over the first year. The day attracted 135 entries from 85 utes in the nine...
Stations of the Cross - At 11.00am on Good Friday 2009 (10 April), the fifth ecumenical Stations of the Cross was held along the length of Victoria Street, Hall. Involving some 150 members of the three Hall Churches (Wattle Park Uniting Church, St Francis Xavier's...
School Museum - funds sought - "....the quality and volume of the educational artifacts, documents, manuscripts and furniture within the Hall School Museum has lead us to believe that this school museum is among the most comprehensive of school museums in the country". ...
Log seats launched - Hall's doughty Bootstrap Brigade strikes again. Village walkers will have spotted the new bush furniture at the old well site. Brigade 'commander' Bob Richardson spotted an opportunity when the chainsaws arrived in the Hall Nature reserve....
Hall School - case presented - The Hall and district community was well-represented at the Legislative Assembly today, the second day of public hearings by the committee inquiring into 'school closures and reform of the ACT Education system' . The Assembly Standing Committee...

April 2009

Hall cemetery - A small group of dedicated volunteers met for a working bee at the Hall cemetery on Saturday 18th April. The work entailed removing regenerating eucalypts, which are threatening orchids in the grassland areas, and woody weeds (cutting and...
Sheep Dog Trials success - It's official! The latest NSW Sheep Dog Triallers' newsletter proclaims that the National Sheep Dog Trials in Hall as the friendliest Trials ever! ( The 'Friendly Trials'!). At a time of financial downturn and highly competitive tourist...
Hall Village Reserve - Most village residents will have heard and seen the dramatic 'thinning' of the Hall Reserve opposite the school. Trees for the chop were marked with yellow many weeks back - now they are logs. In response to our expression of concern, we...
Jon Stanhope on Hall - In his speech in the Assembly on the 'viability of ACT's villages', Chief Minister Jon Stanhope spoke about the closure of the school, refurbishment of the cottage, Museum and pavilion, the Clarrie Hermes Drive intersection, and the Victoria...
Villages viability debated - Meredith Hunter (Parliamentary Convenor of the Greens, Member for Ginninderra) yesterday introduced into the Legislative Assembly as a Matter of Public Importance - the viability of the ACT's villages -(page 1813). Five other Members spoke...
Villages in the ACT- a government strategy? - The ACT Greens today issued a press release on their proposal for government to address the future of the ACT's villages. This is a welcome initiative, which will draw attention to some of the challenges and opportunities we face in the Hall...

March 2009

The Great Hall Shave - From the 'better late than never' department, warmest congratulations to all those involved with the Great Hall Shave! Special thanks to Kylie and colleagues from the Shearing Shed and all those who submitted to the scissors for the cause. Chris...
Brass Band bliss - A large and very appreciative audience gathered at the school for the Hall Village Brass Band 25th Anniversary Concert on Sunday. Bandmaster Col Fischer lead the Band through a diverse and entertaining program which included marches, waltz,...
Your school - your (last?) say - Standing Committee on Education, Training and Youth Affairs 'Inquiry into school closures and reform of the ACT education system'. The Assembly Standing Committee on Education, Training and Youth Affairs is seeking submissions...
Our school. Community meeting - Greens Parliamentary Convenor Meredith Hunter addressed the public meeting on March 5th and responded to comments and questions about the future of the school. The ACT Greens have initiated an Assembly inquiry into 'school closures and reform...
Meeting with Chief Minister - Alastair Crombie, Joe Hall and Tony Morris met with Jon Stanhope, the Chief Minister, on 17th March, to discuss a range of issues of concern or interest to the Hall and district community. Jon Stanhope is also MLA for Ginninderra, so we were...

February 2009

Sheep Dogs here again! - The annual National Sheep Dog Trials begin again in Hall on Tuesday March 10th, with the Final on the weekend of March 14 -15th. As detailed in our 'events calendar' there will be a variety of activities for community members to join in -...
Hall Concert - Hall Village Brass Band (re-scheduled) - In 1984 four people who played brass instruments and worked in Hall Village got together at the Primary School simply to make some music. This became the Hall Village Brass Band and today is recognised as the Canberra Region's premier brass...
Hall school - back from the dead?! - The decision of the Labour Government two years ago to close Hall Primary school, and a number of other ACT schools, is to be reviewed by a Committee of the Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Education, Training...
Hall Preschool - eligibility widens - The Hall preschool will remain open this year, and the program is being extended to three year olds - those children who are eligible to attend Preschool next year. The preschool hours are 9am – 1pm Monday to Wednesday. ACT Education Minister...
Hall Nature Play Group coming soon! - An exciting new nature-focused playgroup is opening at the Hall school site, on Thursday mornings. The playgroup will be facilitated by an experienced Early Childhood teacher. All over the world, communities are re-discovering the importance...
Yass Valley Council - Community Consultation - Early in 2009, Council will again undertake the Community Consultation tour of the entire local government area. For Hall district resident there will be a meeting at the Wallaroo Fire Shed on 9th February at 7.30 pm. This provides an opportunity...

January 2009

Clarrie Hermes Drive around the corner - Active planning is under way for the construction of Clarrie Hermes Drive and its connection to the Barton HIghway at the existing Kuringa Drive intersection. The resulting four way intersection will be a major intersection, on the scale of...
A Neighbourly Poem - Next door holiday blues. While we were away at the coast the neighbours kids made toast of the nature strip New Years Eve burnt the power pole just to peeve everyone who has what they perceive to be a greater share of the good life. The neighbours...

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