Copy of december 2011.pub - Lazyfish Technology

December 2011 Kangaroo Valley Voice www.kangaroovalley.nsw.au Page 34
Up a river…we have a dream!
The Upper Kangaroo River
Community Hall will be turning fifty in
2013 and plans are underway to give
the hall a new lease of life and shine
another jewel in the crown of Kangaroo
Valley.
The Upper Kangaroo River Hall—Circa 1960’s
The hall was erected in 1963 on a pocket of
land generously donated by the Sharman
family. Jack Sharman, Billy Scott and John
Graham, with the help of the Upper River
community, built the hall, and for the next
dozen years or so, regular dances and social
events were held there and people came from
all around to enjoy the hall and what it had to
offer. The back annexe was added in the 1970's,
but since then the hall has been used less and less
and like any building approaching it's 50th year,
is showing signs of wear and tear!
But that is all about to change and the burst of
enthusiasm it enjoyed in its heyday is soon to be
renewed. Following in
the footsteps of Misters
Sharman, Scott and
Graham and the
community of the 1960's,
a group of upper river
residents have decided to
put some concerted
energy into this unique
and precious community
asset, one of only a few
community owned and
run halls in New South
Wales, and turn it into
“the place to be!”
We have a dream… for
the hall to become a
venue, an arts factory,
where there is always something interesting to
see or participate in: regular farmers and produce
markets; music and film nights; theatre
productions and workshops; art exhibitions;
dances and social events; a place where people
can go to either experience art and culture, or
make it; an affordable and accessible place
where artists can retreat to, away from the hustle
of everyday life, to immerse themselves in the
creative process.
We have just applied to the NSW state
government under it's Community Building
Partnerships Grant for money to undertake the
basic structural and safety repairs on the hall
and a whole weekend of fun and fundraising is
being planned for the first weekend in March
2012, with money raised to be used for
improvements to the hall, like better kitchen
and toilets and facilities to make the space
useful and creative.
So make sure you put the 2nd to 4th March
2012 in your diaries and read the February
issue of the Voice to find out more about the
“Up a River” festival of fun and
fundraising. There will be markets and a
family day; raffles and auctions; a five-star
dinner and jazz night; art, music, comedy,
great food and more.
We'll be calling soon on the Kangaroo Valley
community to support us in any way they are
able… artists to donate work for an exhibition
and auction, local businesses and individuals to
donate prizes for raffles…there will be many
and varied ways that people can contribute and
help to make this dream a reality.
So if you have any ideas, or want to help,
participate, or donate to this most worthy
cause or sponsor any of these events, please
contact the organising committee: Sarah Butler
and Ben Moore (4465 2632); Andy Gordon
and Katrina Endean (4465 1441).
Sarah Butler
President
Upper Kangaroo River Progress Assoc.
FOR ALL YOUR EARTHMOVING REQUIREMENTS
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Geoff & Tania Sharman
Geoff 0409 289 122 Tania 0409 289 123