Grand re-opening of Deni Town Hall

Twelve of them featured at Friday night’s opening, ranging from primary and high school bands right up to poets and dancers in their 90s.

Eliciting a standing ovation was renowned local bush poet Alex Allitt.

The 94 year-old shared a personal connection with the refurbished stage.

Sharing it with him in his faultless rendition of Banjo Patterson’s The Man From Snowy River were his son Brett on guitar and grandson Miles Allitt on drums.

“I competed on this stage when I was Miles’ age, and performed on it with the Deniliquin Dramatic Club from the time I was 19,” Mr Allitt said.

Other special local performances on Friday night included the singing of the National Anthem in Wamaba Wamba and English by the Deniliquin High School Music Ensemble, bucket drumming from Daniel Weathers accompanied by the Finucane & Smith ensemble and two dances from Orana resident Betty O’Dwyer.

Other local acts included in the more than two hour show were The Edward River Concert Band, The Angle Line Dancers, Ruby Saltbush, Sing Australia, youth band Anagram Riot, Deniliquin North School band Groovy Dudes, local Filipino traditional dancers and Con Spirito Voices.

They were woven into a sometimes moving, sometimes side-splitting show from the Finucane & Smith ensemble, with its MCs Moira Finucane and Kate Marie Foster giving a further nod to the community’s history by donning dresses from the Deniliquin Peppin Heritage Centre’s couture dress collection throughout the evening.

The formal part of the evening - after guests were welcomed in the delicately restored hall by the Edward River Concert Band - included a welcome to country by Laura Hand-Ross, who said the hall was an important facility for the indigenous community as home to social events, cultural exhibitions and even funerals for respected members of the community.

Also invited to welcome the special guests at Friday’s invite only opening was NSW Minister Steph Cooke, Mayor Peta Betts, NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton and Federal Senator for NSW Perin Davey - who shared her won experiences of using the hall through her role with Out back Theatre for Young People.

In officially opening the facility on behalf of NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole, Ms Cooke revealed that the bulk of funding for the $5.45 million project was a state contribution.

NSW provided $3.86 million in grants, while the Federal Government tipped in $840,000 and Edward River Council contributed $750,000.

Cr Betts said the funding for the new look hall would ensure the important community asset would remain a centrepiece of the community for many years to come.

“As mayor I get to do some cool things, but to share this with you ....,” she started.

“The past memories, the memories we make tonight, I am proud to share that with all of you.

“I join our wonderful residents in expressing pride in the work so many have done to bring the hall to its former glory.”

The Town Hall was officially opened in 1876, and has been home to many community and private events until structural issues forced its closure in 2011.

Friday was the first time is had been opened to the public since then.

Long awaited upgrades to aid in the reopening started in October 2020.

It has included the refurbishment of the existing town hall and foyer, office, ticket/cloak room and minor works to the meeting room.

There has also been extensive sound proofing works, external painting and relocation of the toilets, change room renovations and upgrades to the under stage area.

The main entrance of the building is now from the landscaped courtyard, into a glass atrium with access for all abilities.

• Dont’s miss the commemorative Town Hall re-opening feature in this Friday’s edition of the Pastoral Times.