‘A very good vibe’

So said Her Excellency, the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW, in her address on Friday 2 June at the launch of the newly refurbished Bowral Memorial Hall. With the cutting of the red ribbon, Her Excellency officially opened the doors to a whole new chapter in cultural experiences to come, for Wingecarribee Shire.

“The ceremonial opening of a building gives us an occasion o reflect upon why community buildings matter. This is even more so with the re-opening of a heritage building because a re-opening provides a community with new and re-imagined spaces,” Her Excellency observed, while also remarking on the pitch-perfect acoustics.

Jesse Saunders was commended for a warm Welcome to Country that painted a picture of community and the care community members invest in this place.

The Honourable Stephen Jones, Assistant Treasurer, Minister For Financial Services and Member for Whitlam, said that Bowral Memorial Hall in its new incarnation captures the spirit of a community gathering place where people come together, which has kept it going for more than 135 years. “The Federal Government is delighted to have made a $2.8 million contribution toward its completion,” Mr Jones said.

Mrs Judy Hannan, State Member for Wollondilly, also joined dignitaries on stage.

Council Administrator Mr Viv May acknowledged the community members who championed the project and “wouldn’t be silenced”, persisting along with Council in the face of controversy, to bring to life their strong future vision for a great and lasting cultural achievement for the Southern Highlands as a whole.

The cornerstone of Council’s Arts & Culture Plan is to see culture thrive in our Shire for years to come. The Administrator closed by stating that Bowral Memorial Hall should be considered a huge leap forward, toward that goal.