The 125-year history of Victoria’s Narre Warren Mechanics Institute Hall has been recognised in the form of interesting stories, anecdotal recollections, early booklet printing, memorabilia, and photographs.
The event, held recently, brought together history buffs and representatives of some of the district’s early pioneering families and friends who dressed up especially for the occasion.
According to organisers, the event saw visitors treated to a host of activities, including a fun-filled fashion parade featuring 1900s period costumes and the official cake cutting ceremony, with a backdrop of ribbons in the festive colours of red, white and blue.
Those attending were also told about the influence Narre Warren’s early European settlers had on the hall.
Judy Owen, hall historian, spoke about Sidney John Webb, whose kind donation of land paved the way for the mechanics hall and the Narre Warren Railway Station School.
Webb, she said, was also a farming methods innovator within the local district.
When the hall was originally opened, the occasion was marked by the planting of seven oak trees that still remain today.
Organisers said they were delighted with the 70-strong crowd who attended the celebration. Also in attendance were third-generation Webb family descendants, along with a number of other early settler family members.
The hall celebrations also attracted members of the Berwick Pakenham Historical Society, Berwick Mechanics Institute, Narre Warren & District Family History Group, National Trust and other local history groups.
