“It’s the start of a new era for the district,” said long-time Burren Junction grazier Bill Moore at the grand reopening of the town’s new School of Arts Hall.
“We’ve had a lot of fun over the years at the hall,” added Mr Moore.
The reopening was held in conjunction with the CWA’s spectacular flower show and market day on Sunday September 22, 2019.
“The first flower show was held here in 1937 so it’s been going a long, long time,” said secretary of the School of Arts Hall committee Lucinda Stump.
“And you would probably have to go back to 1940, during the war, to find a drier year than this one to challenge the gardeners out there to come up with entries.”
But the district’s gardeners didn’t disappoint on Sunday.
While some of us struggle to keep a salt bush alive during this drought, the green thumbs of the North West arrived at the hall armed with their horticultural masterpieces ready for the popular flower show competition.
From colourful geraniums and roses to native blooms and petunias – the floral scent was just magnificent.
Children showed off their floral flair too by creating fairy gardens, novelty containers and farmyard scenes.
The hall was a hive of activity with hundreds of people travelling from far and wide to be part of Burren’s big day.
And locals loved showing off their new meeting place.
“Coral Marshall, Elizabeth Powell and Lucinda Stump, ably supported by their husbands and family members, are to be commended,” said Mr Moore.
“For their determination, dedication and hard work under difficult circumstances to breathe new life into the School of Arts Hall.”
As previously reported by The Courier and Wee Waa News, the hall’s outstanding restoration has been described as a story of ‘persistence and generosity’ after the Walgett Shire condemned the building in 2015.
It’s was once destined to be knocked down but the Burren Junction community and its fearless committee hall members (led by the Stump, Marshall and Powell families) really turned things around.
“They’ve been tenacious to make this happen,” said Mr Moore.
“The wives shook it to start with and their husbands moved it – they’re the movers and shakers of Burren Junction,” added Mr Moore.
“It was a great day and they’ve done an absolutely phenomenal job,” he said.
The rejuvenated hall stands proudly in the centre of town: it has been re-stumped, given a fresh coat of paint, a grand new stage area, a large supper room with beautifully crafted wooden tables, a commercial-style kitchen, a fabulous outdoor area and sparkling, clean public toilets.
The miraculous transformation is the result of countless working bees and major electrical, plumbing and building repairs.
One attendee couldn’t believe his eyes when he first saw the new hall.
“You used to need a 4WD to go uphill in the barn dance and you had to put on the brakes when you came back down,” he exclaimed because the old hall was on such a slant.
The Burren Junction School of Arts Hall also pays tribute to those who have served, displaying Honour boards and right next door is an impressive War Memorial that was opened in 2018.
On Sunday the restored old smoker’s room, that was destined for demolition too, was on show displaying RSL memorabilia as well as trophies and history from Burren Junction’s famous North West Tennis Championships.
World Champions and Wimbledon players such as Viv McGrath and Jack Crawford used to travel to the district for tournaments.
It’s a venue that has attracted crowds for decades and its makeover now means the tradition will continue.
“We are so happy to see so many people here, using this fantastic space and making the most of a community venue that has well and truly come back to life,” said Lucinda Stump.
“Many of us here today have fond memories of events held in this hall over the years: balls, weddings, bush dances, school presentation nights, plays, meetings and workshops.
“And many of us were here the night Duncan Ball fell through the supper room floor. After that the hall was effectively condemned.”
Mrs Stump said the hall is now “alive and kicking” and is a wonderful illustration of what a strong community in severe drought can achieve.
She thanked all the tireless volunteers who helped build the hall back-up and the CWA for combining their flower show with the reopening event.
Walgett Shire Councillor Bill Murray also gave a speech before Margaret Sendall cut the ribbon to the supper room and the lunch party started.
Guests enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by the CWA and kicked back to music by the Wee Waa Community Band.
“One of the things Burren has always been able to do is put on a good feed,” added Mr Moore.
