By BRIDGET SCOTT
LOCAL Reverend David Powys is thrilled to see a local hall more than 100 years old still standing and has invited community groups to make use of it.
Restorations at the hall next to the St John’s Anglican Church are now complete and Rev Powys said around 90 per cent of the complex was brand new.
“There are still some original parts,” he said.
The proud cleric said the hall could hold up to 120 people, and he would like to see it used for community events.
Around 101 years old, Rev Powys said the first contract for the hall was made up in 1913, with a wedding held there the year after.
The hall, which has a heritage overlay, has managed to survive physical damage when a fire broke out in the 1980s.
Rev Powys said the firefighters managed to save most of it however parts of it he to be rebuilt.
“That’s when the hall was reduced,” he said.
Rev Powys said his parish was thrilled to see it still standing and in better condition than ever, after many people questioned whether it should stay.
“There was 30 years of neglect – people were ready to see it torn down,” he said.
However with the help of four significant sources, the hall remained alive more than $400,000 later.
“Everyone is delighted to see it the way it is today,” Rev Powys said.
“We want it to be used rather than being a white elephant.”
“Cranbourne has lost a lot of its historic buildings.”
He said the church parishioners, located next door on Childers Street, would have little need for it and urged any groups to make use of it for just a small fee.
