Deans Marsh Memorial Hall, VIC, Gadubanud Country
Deans Marsh Memorial Hall stands on the traditional lands of the Gadubanud People.
Deans Marsh has often been ‘on the move’ – the town, the schools, the playing fields and the community hall have all been relocated by the community members. One night in the summer of 1921 (or was it early 1922 – they are not sure of the details), the Deans Marsh Mechanic community – somehow – hoisted the Hall that the community had funded and built in 1887 with a small donation from the Mechanics Institute in Melbourne, and put it on a dray (a great big cart), and with the aid of a big tractor hired from Geelong, moved the Hall up the road and round the corner and put it on the Oval.
In 2022 the Hall remains in many ways the heart of Deans Marsh. More than 70 different types of activities have and still do happen here – from voting for Federation (men only; Deans Marsh was pro: 69 yes, only 15 no), to the state election in 2022; from the Library which operated from 1887 until the 1930s, the Miss Deans Marsh competitions in the 1960s, the Back to Deans Marsh in 1959 and 1969, card nights, piano lessons, committee meetings, public meetings – the Mantel Mining meeting in 2011 was especially memorable – and this year our monthly community dinners – which inspire awe and admiration in our visitors.
Festival of Small Halls rolls into Deans Marsh on Thursday, 16 March 2023 with Scott Cook and Folk Bitch Trio.
Opening the show will be local act Otta!
A dynamic duo hailing from the Otway Ranges, grafting sounds and stories captured from their mindscapes and the landscapes around them. Bringing emotive rhythmic folk rock to the stage with an intention to invite people to reflect on their connection to the natural world.
A sausage sizzle will be available at the Hall from 6.00pm – 7.30pm, catered by Deans Marsh Primary School & Youth Group.
Bar Service will be available at the Hall from 6.30pm – 9.30pm, catered by Deans Marsh Cricket Club.
Tickets are priced at:
Full Admission – $20
Concession Admission (Pensioners, Health Care Cards) – $10
Click here to purchase tickets.
Alternatively, you can purchase tickets locally at Deans Marsh Community Cottage
Doors Open 6.30pm
Show Starts 7.00pm
Deans Marsh Memorial Hall has accessible entry (double doors) and has accessible bathrooms (separate toilet).
This show is supported by Deans Marsh Community Cottage.
Festival of Small Halls events take place in venues operating under an approved VIC Health Covid Safe Event Checklist, and has stringent Workplace Health and Safety requirements for all travelling artists and crew. Under the terms and conditions of all events, you must not attend if you have any symptoms of Covid-19.
Please do your bit to protect others and keep your community safe.