Centenary Hall was constructed in 1959 at a cost of 40,000 pounds by Shellharbour Municipal Council, as the focus of centenary celebrations for local government in the area (1859 – 1959).
A street procession ending at Centenary Hall was at the heart of the formal centenary celebrations and headed by prominent citizens Paddy O’Gorman and Darcy Dunster.
Centenary Hall originally featured a Tallowood dance floor and stage with change rooms, a library, an office, and toilet facilities. Upstairs was a kitchen, supper room and store room.
The main purpose of this public hall was to show films, however, with the introduction of television soon after the hall was completed, few films were viewed there. Instead, it was used for balls, dances, weddings and other functions.
The rooms in the building were also used for meetings, Meals on Wheels as well as for technical college classes.
There are multiple users of the kitchen facilities and the main hall and annexe are used for local community events. The hall seats up to 290 people, with a stage and two dressing rooms.
Festival of Small Halls Shellharbour will be supported by local acts Matt Walker and Kyarna Rose. Matt and Kyarna are two solo musicians from the Illawarra who come together for various events, and wow crowds with their harmonies and stage presence. With music ranging from rock to country to anything in between, Matt and Kyarna love playing together when they get the chance.
Festival of Small Halls rolls into Shellharbour on Wednesday, January 23rd.
Doors open at 6.30pm
Tickets available online here