Grant makes for a better hall

A grant through the Area Consultative Committee allowed the Pearl Beach Progress Association to make major improvements to the Pearl Beach hall, according to communications officer Ms Lynne Lillico.

"The hall improvements included a modern kitchen, additional storage, rear verandah, new modern toilets on the same level and attached to the hall, including a separate disabled toilet and disabled access ramp," Ms Lillico said.

"The work was carried out by local builder, Peter Hoft and designed by Pearl Beach architect Cedric Carle.

"Funding for the project was a combination of Federal Government grant funds through the Area Consultative Committee (ACC) as part of Government's Regional Partnerships project and funds raised by the local community.

"Chairman of the ACC funding scheme on the Central Coast, Cr Peter Hale, congratulated the Pearl Beach Progress Association and the community on their fund raising efforts and their strong community spirit.

"He expressed surprise at the large turnout for the event."

Ms Lillico said Cr Hale officiated by cutting the ribbon.

"The idea for a hall at Pearl Beach goes back as far as 1929 when the Pearl Beach Progress Association was formed," Ms Lillico said.

"In 1943, William Steinbeck, James Armstrong and William Frost, all members of the association, jointly purchased the land at 9 Diamond Rd and gave it to the association for the purpose of building a community hall.

"The hall was planned as a war memorial, so contributions to the building fund became tax deductible, but an important purpose was to store fire-fighting equipment.

"World War 2 called a halt to building work, but after the war, spurred on by a bad fire season, fund raising picked up with raffles, dances, street stalls and sports carnivals.

"During 1949, local builders were employed on the foundations and framework, and working bees under their supervision did the rest.

"The building was opened officially on September 16, 1950."

Association president Mr Rod Craig said: "Our community hall is the centerpiece of our small community.

"It is owned and maintained by the progress association and used almost every weekday by the various local groups including craft, mahjong, child playgroup, pilates, discussion groups, progress association meetings and music festivals.

"We believe the hall upgrade will attract more hirers for weddings and other social functions.

"Weddings are very popular in Pearl Beach, both on the beach and in the native arboretum.

"The revamped hall, with its modern kitchen and other facilities, will provide an affordable venue for wedding breakfasts and other functions and we also have a high quality local caterer available to provide a complete wedding breakfast service if required."

Ms Lillico said the day was a great success with town crier Mr Graham Keating "setting the scene with a walk along the beach, a "successful" free sausage sizzle and entertainment provided by the Murrumbidgee Rattlers.

More information about the hall and the Pearl Beach community is available from the website www.pearlbeach.net.au.

Press release, 14 Jan 2008 Lynne Lillico, Pearl Beach Progress Association