The purpose of the advisory group is to give representative advice to council about future uses and users of the Yarrawonga Town Hall. This advice will include informing the scope and deliverables of Yarrawonga Library, Events and Performance Precinct Stage 2 works that will be needed to support future Town Hall uses.
The advisory group is made up of representatives from community groups who have used or would like to use the town hall and they include:
•Alan Williams from Senior Citizens.
•Ian Reid from Allegro Theatre Company.
•Jan Parker from the Yarrawonga Family History Group.
•Andrew Brown from the choir and Festival of 1000 Voices.
•Nikki Ralston from Regional Arts Victoria.
•Geoff Campbell from Yarrawonga Community Action Group.
•Nerida Mitchell from Across the Arts Yarrawonga Mulwala.
•Damien Keel from Yarrawonga P12.
•Carol Henderson from Yarrawonga Anglican Parish.
•Cyndi Gleeson from Yarrawonga Mulwala Historical Society Inc.
•James Rouel as a local resident representative.
•Bruce Pigdon as a local resident representative.
•Julie-Anne Clarke as the Moira Shire All Abilities Advisory Committee representative.
•Felicity Macchion from Goulburn Valley Libraries.
The first meeting focused on getting to know each other and the organisations represented in the advisory group, and what everyone hoped for the future of the town hall.
There was consensus that the Yarrawonga Town Hall is a much loved and much-needed facility, and it was vital to ensure that recent and potential future uses of the hall must be considered, including re-engaging young people who may never have entered the hall.
The group received a status update from Thomas Lyle, Manager of Projects and Engineering, Moira Shire, who stated that while there are limitations regarding the aesthetics, age, and building structure of the hall, council is looking forward to the advisory group conveying what the community needs.
Council have reported the possibility of the hall being opened in the short term for community use under a revised capacity limit pending health and safety considerations for the library, including the reconnection of the sewage to the hall and review of exits.
The Yarrawonga Town Hall Future Use Advisory Group will meet again on Tuesday, June 25, to discuss avenues for engaging the broader community.