Hall and District 2011 News Archive

December 2011

Rural Fringe December 2011 - The December edition of the Rural Fringe is now available as a downloadable pdf file on the Documents page.   Bob Richardson  Rural Fringe Coordinator  0407 071 245

November 2011

Barton Highway duplication - Hall and district residents are advised that there will be an information display on the final road boundaries and concept design for the future duplication of the Barton Highway on Monday 12th December. The information display is being staged...
Hall remembers - Well over a hundred community members gathered on Remembrance Day for the annual Hall Remembrance Day ceremony. The atmosphere was set for the occasion by piper Jim Davies. The ceremony was organised, as usual by the Rotary Club of Hall, with...
Canberra Centenary Trail consultation - Community members will be aware of the plan for an extensive walk /bike trail around the ACT to celebrate the ACT Centenary. Work has continued on refining the final alignment, including the way northwards out of Hall Comment is now invited...
October Rural Fringe online - The October edition of the Rural Fringe is now available as a downloadable pdf file on the Hall and District website.   Click DOCUMENTS then scroll down to the Rural Fringe heading.   Bob Richardson  Rural Fringe Coordinator  0407...

October 2011

School Museum Up-date - Who are they? - At the School Museum, the volunteer conservation group are continuing their great work in assessing, cleaning and cataloging the collection. The Hall Mens' Shed have repaired and weather-proofed the old storeroom attached to the School Museum...
Sausage Sizzle - Great weather enabled groups from the Friends of the Hall School Museum and the Hall Mens Shed to gather and enjoy a celebratory sausage sizzle. The celebration was for the recently awarded ACT Heritage grants. One to the Hall Progress Association...

September 2011

Great strides for Museum - Heritage Minister Simon Corbell has just announced a Heritage grant of $7,845 to the School Museum. This is excellent news, and will enable the small but growing group of volunteers to keep up the good work of conserving, managing, and promoting...
Minister Burch comes to town - Joy Burch MLA visited Hall today for discussions about the future of the Hall school site. She met with representatives of the Preschool Parents Association, Hall Mens Shed, Hall School Museum, and the Progress Association. Joy Burch is Minister...
Learn karate in Hall - For those interested in learning a traditional martial art and keeping fit, there will be a demonstration of Goju Ryu karate at the Hall Pavilion on Saturday, 15 October at 10.00am. Students from 6 years up to adults will demonstrate the basics...
ACT Heritage visitors to the Museum - Three staff members from ACT Heritage - Linda Roberts, Mary Gleeson, and Anna Gurnhill - visited the Museum on September 1. ACT Heritage has given two Grants to the Museum, and an application for a further Grant has been made this year. The...

August 2011

Visit by New Ginninderra MLA - Chris Bourke - Chris Bourke, new MLA for Ginninderra, visited Hall on Friday 12th August. The visit was organised by the Progress Association to 'meet and greet', and to give our new member a briefing on some matters of local interest and concern. Those who...
Thank you local businesses! - There was a healthy gathering of members at the Progress Association AGM on Wednesday evening. The Association is in its 107th year - most likely the oldest voluntary association in the ACT. President Alastair Crombie gave a summary of the...
Andrew Leigh MP calls by - Federal Member of Parliament for Fraser, Andrew Leigh, visited Hall recently to 'meet and greet', and learn about matters of local concern and interest. Members of the Progress Association Committee and others met over coffee at the General...
Thank You from the Pirotta Family - The Pirotta family would like to thank the Hall Community for the support, kindness and warmth shown to them during their time of sadness with the passing of Rosa. The residents of Hall showed wonderful community spirit in gathering to farewell...

July 2011

Rosa Pirotta - It is with deep sadness we report the sudden passing of Rosa Pirotta of Victoria St. Rosa was a loving wife to Sonny and mother and mother-in-law to Anthony, Tania and Vanessa, Catherine and Richard and nonna to Zara and Sofia. Rosa was a...
Melba Mens Memorial walk - The Cottage was overflowing with Blokes (and a few Sheilas) on Thursday. Nearly 30 members, and some partners, from the Melba Shed chose our round Hall bush track as a memorial walk for one of their members, Peter Davis. His widow was amongst...
Bus interchange traffic calming - The Progress Association has just been advised that Roads ACT is ready to implement the proposal discussed last year with the Hall Community and Transborder Buslines. Ginninderra MLA Alistair Coe initiated this meeting for us. A number of anxious...
Schoolhouse Lane - swale drain - ACT Government has announced the Schoolhouse Lane will be closed for a month from 25th July to 26th August to allow for construction of a swale drain. This news will be of particular interest to residents experiencing drainage problems associated...
Hall Cemetery - The ACT Public Cemeteries Authority is asking some Hall residents who hold burial rights to plots in the local cemetery to consider transferring their rights to another plot to help save a rare orchid. Hall cemetery, the oldest operational cemetery...
Hall Cemetery - The ACT Public Cemeteries Authority is asking some Hall residents who hold burial rights to plots in the local cemetery to consider transferring their rights to another plot to help save a rare orchid. Hall cemetery, the oldest operational...
St Michael and All Angels - Blessing of the Steps - Our picture shows Rev'd Trish Stuart-Smith, Ralph Southwell of the Rotary Club of Hall and Tim Gulliver, marking the erection of the landing and steps at the entrance to St Michael and All Angel's Anglican Church, Hall with special prayers on...
Indonesian visitors to Hall School Museum - The Museum yesterday hosted a visit from two members of the Yogyakarta State University during their five day study visit to Australia. Yogyakarta State University has an educational Museum which it is keen to expand, and are particularly...

June 2011

Preschool enrolling now for 2012 - Hall Preschool is a well-resourced preschool in an idyllic semi-rural village setting. A great preschool option for those who would prefer their child's first "school" experience to be small and friendly. Parents wishing to enrol their...
In the Steps of the Black Cat - Free Film night - In 2008, Peter and Rev. Trish Stuart-Smith (Priest-in-charge of St Michaels at Hall) circumnavigated Australia in their homebuilt SeaRey amphibian aircraft. The trip was a combination of adventure, holiday, pilgrimage, and a fund-raiser for...

May 2011

Help wanted - Red Shield Appeal - The 'Salvos' seek the Hall community's help with the annual Red Shield Appeal Door-knock on the 28th and 29th May this year. Local Chairman of the Appeal Stephen Lucas-Smith says that help is sought in particular:– Endorsing and advocating...
Centenary - Take two - A year or so in the making, the School Centenary, celebrated over the weekend of April 16-17th, was a great success. An estimated 600-800 people visited the Museum and the special heritage Exhibition 'Yesterdays Hall and School' over the...
Canberra Centenary Trail to showcase Bush Capital - The ACT Government has funded development of the Canberra Centenary Trail – with some very interesting possibilities for Hall, which is a designated camp site on the Trail in the feasibility report. It can be expected that, over time, the...

April 2011

Hall School Centenary - What a fabulous weekend!! On Saturday the weather was not perfect but the rain held off for all to enjoy the festivities. The old vehicles and machinery parked on the newly mown grassed areas were a highlight. There was a variety of vehicles...
Hall School Centenary - Plans are now well under way for celebration of the Centenary of Hall Public School. There is a full Program of activities all day on Saturday 16th, while the School Museum and a special Centenary Exhibition will be open both Saturday and Sunday,...

March 2011

Young people - old school - The School Centenary was previewed today when heritage-attired pre-schoolers went to the original 1911 school for lessons. Adding to the atmosphere was Kingsley Southwell's magnificent 1911 Renault, and members of the Bush Dancing Display Group....
Thank you Elaine - Elaine Leckey was thanked for her eight years as Treasurer of the Progress Association at a special afternoon tea gathering at the Gumnut Coffee shop. Current committee members gathered to present Elaine with a Gift Voucher, and to acknowledge...
Ultra-marathoner runs into Hall - Deborah de Williams is a woman with a mission. She is running right round Australia to raise money for the Breast Cancer Foundation - with Maggie her dog, and her support crew - her parents and partner. The Rotary Club of Hall organised a classic...
Pavilion and Cottage Bookings - New interim arrangements are in place for booking the Hall Pavilion or The Cottage, following closure of 'Hall Rural'. While new permanent arrangements are being finalised, bookings can be made with the ...
Fine music fills the air - The school grounds echoed to the sounds of 'My fair lady', 'Lambeth walk' and the 'Punchinello March' at the Third Annual Twilight Concert by the Hall Village Brass Band. A very appreciative crowd ignored the cloudy, windy weather to enjoy a...
"Yesterday's Hall and School" Heritage Display - The ACT Department of Housing, Disability and Community Services have kindly granted VHDPA temporary access to one of the buildings at Hall School to use for the forthcoming heritage display "Yesterday's Hall and School" which is part of the...
Hall Band Twilight Concert - Once a year we get the chance to spend a warm autumn evening listening to our own Hall Village Brass Band giving their Twilight Concert. It is on again at 5.00 pm this Sunday, 20th March, at the school. Entry is free, but their will be a gold...
National Sheepdog Trials - Entries for the National Sheepdog Trials have now closed with 277 entries being received from all over Australia. The Trials will be held at the Hall showground between Tuesday 15th March and Sunday 20th March 2011. The annual event originated...

February 2011

Hall and District Collectors Club formed - Ten members were signed up at the inaugural meeting of the Hall and District Collectors Club on Thursday 24 February 2011. The Club's Objectives are: To actively promote and encourage the restoration, preservation and display of early machinery,...
School Time Capsule appeal - Your ideas are invited about what might be added to the Hall School Time Capsule, during the Centenary celebration on April 16th. Some community members have expressed surprised that the Capsule is to be opened, given that it was only sealed...
Stress release at The Cottage - Since 'The Cottage' was refurbished and handed over to the community as a 'neighbourhood centre' a growing number of groups have made use of it. These include the Progress Association, the Rotary Club of Hall, the Broadband for Seniors kiosk,...
The dogs are coming - The 69th National Sheepdog Trials will be held at the Hall showground between Tuesday 15th March and Sunday 20th March 2011. Organisers expect about 80 people to enter more than 300 dogs for the Trials. Trophies and prize money are offered...
Bus Interchange action - In January last year the Progress Association advised Roads ACT of the dangers being experienced at the bus interchange along Gladstone Street. After an initial site inspection we were advised that there would be no action. Now, following intervention...
Rural Fringe online - The February edition of the Rural Fringe is now available as a downloadable pdf file on the Hall and District website.   The printed version will be available early next week.   Click the Documents link then scroll down to the Rural...

January 2011

Rest in peace Millissa - We record our great sadness at the loss of young Millissa Gillard, and add our wish that she now rest in peace. Our deepest sympathy goes to Derek, Bianca and other family members, and to the friends she leaves behind. Thanks to the initiative...
Vicki Walters (nee de Britt) - Community members will be saddened to know of the serious accident sustained by Vicki Walters, daughter of Mick and Evelyn de Britt. Vicki, a champion horsewoman, was thrown while competing at the Nowra Rodeo on 27th December, and remains under...
Lanes named - The 'back lanes' which have been a feature of the village since it was proclaimed in 1882 have at last been given names. At the suggestion of Shaun O'Connor, a small group established by the Progress Association identified names for all eight...
Farewell to the Barracloughs - 'Dr Phil' and Alanna were farewelled at an informal community gathering at The Cottage on Sunday 16th January. In thanking them for all that they have contributed to the community, Progress Association President Alastair Crombie noted how lucky...
Greg's last sheep - What does a one-time shearer do for his 90th birthday? Shear his last sheep of course. Local identity Greg Rule did exactly that on Friday January 7th, before an enthusiastic and appreciative gathering at 'Gold Creek West'. Before getting into...
Hall's history - the 'board walk' - Some community members are finding out how much they did not know about the history of the village and surrounding district. The nine heritage interpretation signs now installed around the village offer locals and visitors alike some fascinating...

< Homepage