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== Oh What a Night!==
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[[File:090766_11280A_Amoco_Normie_edited.jpg|Normie Rowe plays to a packed house on 9 July 1966. Photograph courtesy Orange and District Historical Society, CWD Collection.]]
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[[File:Dinner.jpg|Guests from our Sister City, Mt Hagen, at the Dinner]]
 
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On Saturday 7th August I hosted a Gala Dinner at the Orange Function Centre to celebrate 150 years of Local Government in Orange. I was delighted to welcome so many members of our community and guests from near and far. These included former Mayor, [[Ron Hill]]; Janet Lee a descendadnt of our first Chairman, [[John Peisley]]; and delegates from our Sister City [[Mt Hagen]]. During the evening we were entertained by former Town Clerk [[Bill Marshall]] who recounted the highs and lows of his time at the top.
 
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A definite highlight was the presentation of the  ''Celebrating Our Community Awards'' which recognised 56 individuals, organisations and businesses who have contributed to our city.
 
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== How can you be part of this? ==
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== A Shining Example of Community Collaboration==
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The launch of this 150 year Wiki gives all of the community the opportunity to contribute their stories about the '''people, places, services and events''' that have contributed to the history of local government in Orange. We've included some stories to get you started but this is very much a work in progress and will be dependent on you supplying us with information to build this resource. You can find further details at the Community Portal link on the navigation bar to the left. We look forward to hearing from you; [mailto:wiki@orange.nsw.gov.au email us]
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It has been a fascinating 150 years and with my fellow Councillors, Council staff and the Orange community, I look forward to the chapters ahead.
 
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Cr [[John Davis]]
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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]].
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Mayor of Orange
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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 [[Bathurst Road]] on  which their service station was built.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.
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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.
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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.
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The opening of the Hall on 10 June 1965 soon convinced everyone that this was a much needed amenity.On the opening night in June 1965 there was a hugely successful ball complete with live dance band (the Merry Makers).The next evening [[Stomp City]], Orange's answer to Surf City in Sydney - began its amazing run as the town's major weekend entertainment. Three bands - Buddy and the Hermits, the Mystery Men and the Ravens - did half hour stints in turn to keep the dancers happy from 12 noon to 12 midnight. None of the musicians accepted pay that weekend, and neither did the hall staff - the entire proceeds were ploughed back into hall improvements Click here to read more [[File: http://www.theorangewiki.orange.nsw.gov.au/index.php?title=Amoco_Hall]]

Revision as of 05:35, 5 June 2015

Normie Rowe plays to a packed house on 9 July 1966. Photograph courtesy Orange and District Historical Society, CWD Collection.



A Shining Example of Community Collaboration

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 Bathurst Road on which their service station was built.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.On the opening night in June 1965 there was a hugely successful ball complete with live dance band (the Merry Makers).The next evening Stomp City, Orange's answer to Surf City in Sydney - began its amazing run as the town's major weekend entertainment. Three bands - Buddy and the Hermits, the Mystery Men and the Ravens - did half hour stints in turn to keep the dancers happy from 12 noon to 12 midnight. None of the musicians accepted pay that weekend, and neither did the hall staff - the entire proceeds were ploughed back into hall improvements Click here to read more File:Http://www.theorangewiki.orange.nsw.gov.au/index.php?title=Amoco Hall

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