Town hall party time

Sue Love at the Malsmbury Town hall Pic Marco De Luca

A brass band and a family bush dance will be among the highlights of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Malmsbury town hall next month.

The town’s centrepiece was unveiled in 1868 and Malmsbury Historical Society will mark the milestone on Saturday, August 4.

Stone work on the building, at the corner of Ellesmere Place and Mollison Street, was started by local stonemason John Jones in mid-1867 and on June 3 the following year the hall was opened with a ball and supper.

Sue Love, of the Malmsbury Historical Society, said residents had created plenty of memories in the historic building.

“I regard the town hall as a newcomer in town,” Ms Love said. “There are so many beautiful buildings in this town that are even older.”

She said the town hall had a rich
history.

“Everything from weddings, dances, school productions, flea markets, workshops, meetings, memorials, picture theatres, exhibitions, fundraisers – it’s a blank canvas for every occasion,” she said.

Festivities will begin with a welcoming brass band from Kyneton and Malmsbury Primary School pupils will re-enact the opening of the hall.

Entry will be by gold coin donation.