Wingello Village Hall is Better than ever

Lest we forget

The Roll of Honour in the hall is from the
war of 1914 to 191.  The plaque was never updated
to reflect the end of the war in 1918.

In 1917, members of the Mechanics Institute built the hall and gave it to the community.  Since that time it was managed by local residents and it was the home to many dances, meetings and other events for the community.
One matter affecting the running of the hall was community interest.  Over the years the hall almost fell into disrepair and the management committees were restarted almost from scratch numerous times.
Luckily, each time some people were found willing to donate their time and effort and try to keep the hall available for community use.
Funding for repairs and maintenance was always an issue.  Funds were raised through various means to fix up one thing or another and pay for the necessary building and contents insurance.  This kept going up, especially considering the hall is a wooden building built 80 years ago.
Finally the effects of insurance and public liability claims began to take its toll. Members of the management committee discovered they would be personally liable if someone decided to sue them.
About three years ago meetings of the hall management committee in conjunction with public meetings were held and votes cast to turn over management of the Hall to the Wingecarribee Shire Council.
This has allowed for a proper maintenance regime to be put in place and appropriate insurance cover for the hall and those on the management committee.
Many may complain about the paperwork needed to rent the hall but this is not council’s fault.  It goes back to the courts interpreting claims regarding public liability very broadly, greatly expanding the liability for all concerned.  This meant insurance policies were required.  Each time a multi million dollar claim is brought down, insurance rates go up.
All that paperwork is just the reaction to ensure all appropriate parties are covered in case of a lawsuit.  If other halls aren’t doing the risk assessment and the associated insurance paperwork, the risk to the hall management committee and organisers of events is much higher.
Since the Council assumed responsibility for the hall many improvements have been made including:

• Rewiring and safety switches,
• Air conditioners in the hall and meeting room
• New blinds
• Painting inside and out
• Repaired internal stairs
• New chairs
• Stage lighting and curtains updated as well as a new piano
• Repaired kitchen cupboards and fittings

At least that tells us where some of our rates are going.