Bungaree History Walk
  • Home
    • Launch of the Walk
    • QR Codes
  • The Wathaurungs
    • Wathaurung Culture
    • Lal Lal Falls
    • The Important Mountains
    • Special Wathaurung Sites
    • Interesting Wathaurung Facts and Photos
    • The Legend of Bunjil
  • The Bungaree Blacksmiths
    • The Chisholm's
    • The Devereux's
    • The Ritchie's
    • The Cyclone Destroys a Blacksmith
    • Stories about the Blacksmith
  • The Bungaree Hotels
    • Grand Junction
    • Bridge Hotel
    • Morning Star
    • Horse and Jockey Hotel
    • Robbery at the Morning Star
    • The Cyclone Destroys a Hotel
  • The Bungaree Bank
    • The Bankers
    • Inside the bank
    • The Holey Incident
    • The Blacksmith's Joke
    • The Bungaree Bank Closes
  • The Bungaree Police Station
    • Stories about the Police Station
    • The Truck Crash
    • Archaeological Survey
    • Police Station Photos
  • The Bungaree Railway Station
    • The Train Wreck
    • The Busy Bungaree Station
    • Interview with Mr Lawless
    • Bungaree Railway Photos
    • The Bungaree Station Closes
  • The Bungaree Shops
    • The Chalmers Shop
    • Bottom Shop
    • Top Shop
    • The Lolly Shop and Butcher
    • Interviews about the Shops
    • Things the Shops Sold
  • The Bungaree Schools
    • The First School
    • The Bluestone School
    • The Current School
    • Interviews with Past Students
    • Bungaree School Photos
  • The Bungaree Mechanics' Institute
    • A Cyclone Destroys the Hall
  • St John's Anglican Church
    • Parish Life
    • Improvements to St John's
  • The Bungaree Fire Brigade
    • Black Friday
    • Fighting Fires
    • Early Fire Fighting Equipment
    • Bungaree CFA
    • The Mt Warrenheip Fire
    • The Captain visits the school
  • St Michael's Church, School and Convent
    • St Michael's School
    • St Michael's Church
    • St Michael's Convent
  • The Bungaree Recreation Oval
    • The Bungaree Footy Club
    • The Bungaree Netball Club
    • Interviews about the Institute
    • The Cricket and Tennis Clubs
  • The Making of the History Walk
  • Contact Details and Bibliography
  • Extra Information, photos and songs
  • Feedback Blog

A Cyclone Destroys the Hall.

In June 1927 a cyclone destroyed one of the best buildings in Bungaree; the Mechanics' Institute. It left the building a twisted mess of girders and timber, only the piano survived. The Hibernian Hall which adjoined the Institute and served as a supper room, was also destroyed. The Hibernian Hall was owned by the Catholic Church for the H.A.C.B.S. (Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit Society) which was a medical benefit society.

The Institute is rebuilt.

After the cyclone, the committee again had the task of rebuilding another hall. The present brick building was then built, and opened on the 4th September, 1928. It was opened by Lady Peacock and cost about £1000. It was built with a loan from Mr W McLellan of £500 and government grant of £500. The supper room was added in the mid 1950s.

In 1978 the Hall Committee organised a ball to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the new hall. Proceeds were used to help fund the building of a new amenities block, and general maintenance of the building. An extremely hard working Hall Social Club raised large amounts of funds to help keep the hall running. They regularly held euchre evenings (card games)  and fundraising luncheons.

In the year 2000 the Ballarat Steiner School held classes in the hall. Now it is used by the Mountain Movers dance club each week.

Click here to listen to interviews about the Mechanics Institute.