Woodstock Soldier's Memorial Hall celebrates 100 years

The Woodstock Soldier's Memorial Hall celebrated its centenary with a black tie ball this past weekend, marking both 100 years and the significant effort that has gone in to keeping the Memorial Hall open. The venue was opened by state MP for Cootamundra, Hugh Main in 1925. Erected originally as a mark of respect in remembrance of Navy, Army and Airforce personnel from the region who left to campaigns overseas. The venue saw use in the 1920's and 30's, fundraising to maintain the hall -- from a Mad Hatters Ball, Diggers, Football Ball, BBQ and Grand Balls to help support both the community to have a meeting place, as well as the legacy of the structure. The Woodstock Memorial Show manages to attract people from across the region, while also directly supporting the Woodstock Soldier's Memorial Hall. A new kitchen was added in the 1950's and in March 2018 the Hall successfully acquired a $153,000 grant to undertake upgrades including air conditioning, sound and lighting fitouts. Not just a home for dances and fundraising balls, the Hall has seen wakes, wedding receptions and films, as well as concerts - recently hosting artists Keith Potger and Kirsty Lee Akers of The Seekers fame. A plaque adorned with family names of servicemen familiar to the region stands on the wall, a significant number for a the village at the time. Former reporter John Hill was present, reflecting on the contribution to the war in manpower by Woodstock locals. Mr Hall said "For towns like Woodstock, a list of names like this is a big proportion of its people." Woodstock's Alison Rutledge complimented the work of both the Memorial Hall's committee and subcomittees for maintaining the Hall as well as organising far and wide to seek out family members and anyone connected to the origjnal build, so as not to miss out on its centenary. "These tasks are very big for a small community, they're all volunteers. Lisa Brien is captain of the ship and made this whole event happen tonight. We basically wanted to figure out who had connections back to Woodstock, and if they had connections with the original committee who built the Hall." The organisers are also looking not just to the legacy but the future of the Hall, with Mrs Rutledge emphasising the many uses it can look forward to as a community space, "I think one of the keys of what we're trying to do tonight is showcase how amazing this Hall is and try and get it used more. People who are here tonight might think 'oh this is my next 21st, my next family reunion, the next wedding.' It needs to be used, like all things if you don't use them - you lose them." MORE PHOTOS P21.