Amoco Hall
From The Orange Wiki
The concept of the Amoco Hall was first mentioned at a meeting at the Ophir Motel when Mr Ernest Tilston ‘sold’ the idea of a public hall to the then Deputy Mayor, Alderman Ron Hill.
Strangely enough the meeting was supposed to discuss the formation of a Bowling Club for proposed bowling greens that the Amoco Oil Company had agreed to help finance in exchange for the lease of the land on which their service station stood. Alderman Hill promised to solicit the support of the Mayor, Alderman Clive Hamer, and if Orange City Council agreed to a a public hall instead of a bowling green an approach would be made to the directors of the Amoco Oil Company to devote their lease money to the construction of the building.
Mayor Hamer and Mr Tilston had little difficulty in persuading Amoco and the Mayor was impressed with the need for a community centre. By this time Mr Tilston had secured the full support of the Orange Sports and Social Club and a not-for-profit company was to be formed to construct the hall. The Club agreed to raise funds and with Mr Tilston’s enthusiasm support began to roll in. The Orange Sports and Social Club raised money, tradesmen promised their labour and good second- hand material was purchased.
But of course like most worthwhile projects there were the ‘knockers’. Letters against the project were written and published in the Central Western Daily. People who promised support suddenly lost interest. Doubts were raised whether voluntary work could be organised and whether sufficient loan funds would be forthcoming. These objections were overcome and with voluntary help and the use of second-hand material the building was eventually completed for £60,000. One of the early supporters who gave much moral and financial support was Mr Geoff Murray. The architect, Mr F Graf donated a large portion of his fees.
The opening of the Hall on 10 June 1965 soon convinced everyone that this was a much needed amenity. The festivities featured a four day trade fair followed by a seminar on decentralisation, a Cabaret Ball, Stomp City dance and concert.
The Council showed their faith in the Orange Sports and Social Club and granted them a lease to run the Centre. This arrangement continued until 1971 when a company was formed including members of the Club to carry on the lease. Members of the Company were:
Mr J M Provost Chairman/Catering Manager, Mr F S Dobbin Senior Vice Chairman, Mrs E F Loughrey Vice President, Mr M F Centre Vice President, Mr E K Dean Vice President, Mrs J Dean Secretary, Mrs L P Nonnemacher Minute Secretary/Honorary Treasurer, Mr Ernest Tilston Hall Manager, Mr W Renike Bar Manager, Mr E Fardell Solicitor, Mrs E Tilston Committee, Mr John Tilston Committee, Mrs H Renike Committee, Mr John Campbell Committee.
When the Hall was first opened there was very little equipment to run functions and Club members worked for many months voluntarily. The Club approached the Cherry Blossom Festival and backed Miss Gloria Hastedt as Queen Candidate. From this venture the Hall received £2,500. This money went towards the tables and chairs.
The Hall was erected on a swamp and some of the piers supporting the building are 13 ft deep. A lot of the material was obtained from buildings demolished in Orange during 1963 and 1964. Most of the oregon used in the main hall and wings came from the old Dalton’s Mill in Peisley Street. The main bearers and thousands of bricks came from the CBC Bank on the corner of Summer Street and Anson Street. Bricks were also sourced from the old Central Hotel, Daltons Mill, Forrester’s Hall and the building demolished for Woolworths Variety Store in Summer Street (opposite the Orange Post Office).The cleaning of all bricks was all done by voluntary labour.
