HISTORY
with Wendy McMullin

The appearance of Palmwoods Memorial Hall has changed considerably in the 75 years since it was built in 1922.

It was originally 85 ft long, 35 ft wide with 14ft walls and a gabled porch, with steps and landings. The roof was galvanised iron. The interior walls were unlined, the floor was tallow wood and an 18 ft wide stage occupied the rear. Under the stage was provision for a dining room , originally with a dirt floor.

All the major additions were achieved by bank loans from the Palmwoods Branch of English, Scottish and Australian Bank now ANZ. An exception was the new supper room.

When the hall reserve and building were mortgaged to the State Advances Corporation for 245 pounds and 13 shillings in 1940, a grant from the Community Employment Program helped to fund the eastern side extension.

In April 1938, the RSSIALA Palmwoods Branch suggested extensions to the Hall but it was not until 1940 that the construction of the new supper room was undertaken by Mr V Batt at a cost of 342 pounds.

It measured 45 by 30 ft and could seat 140 persons. It included a servery with shelves and cupboards and a power point for heating water. At this time electricity was installed, replacing the wizard system of lighting installed when the hall was built.

Mr A. Scott was the builder responsible for several additions and renovations. His first undertaking was to line the interior walls of the main hall in 1956 at a cost of 216 pounds 11 shillings and 8 pence.

Ten years later in 1966, the western side was extended adjacent to the supper room to eliminate the entrance to the supper room through the "Dungeon".

The remaining section along the front wall was completed in 1967 at a total cost of 2223 pounds. Mr Scott's other major addition was the new front foyer built in 1972. Original tenders were much higher than expected but by reducing costs and using day labour, the final cost amounted to $4988.36 Mr G Denning was responsible for the addition of the new kitchen which was accomplished in two stages, the first in December 1975 cost $3374 and the second, in May 1976 cost $1500. Together with the stove, floor covering and electrical installation, the total was $5871.

Proceeds from Palmwoods Centenary celebrations in 1982 were combined with a bank loan to construct inside toilets on the eastern side. In 1982, Mr Barry Armstrong was the successful tenderer with a price of $9378.

A successful application for funding through the Community Employment Program in April 1985 resulted in a grant of $54,600 to complete an extension to the eastern side. This project had Mr R Brooke as supervisor.

Another C.E.P. Grant allowed for the addition of the meeting room and painting inside and out of the hall.

More recent renovations have been storage, a bar area in the foyer and stage access upgrade.

In 1997, our community has a valuable asset due to the foresight and hard work of a small band of dedicated workers.