Transforming community halls in our tiniest towns

18/01/2024

Community halls are often the nerve centre of our regional towns. They provide a safe, trusted space for everyone, promoting inclusion and social connection.

As part of the Tiny Towns Fund, communities with up to 5,000 people can apply for grants to potentially give their local community hall a boost.

Grants between $5,000 and $50,000 are up for grabs. The fund is a great way for our tiniest towns to make sure their community halls can meet current and future needs.

We’ve supported several community hall projects across the state in recent years.

Clunes Town Hall

For the less than 3,000 people who call Clunes home, the 151-year-old town hall is a local icon.

From hosting weddings, fundraisers, and community outreach groups to the famous Booktown Festival, the town hall does it all.

When measuring age, as Indiana Jones would say, 'it's not the years, it's the mileage'. Well, the Clunes Town Hall had both.

To support rejuvenation works, the hall received a grant from the Living Regions Living Suburbs Program.

After repairs to the brickwork, masonry, plaster paint and plumbing, the hall is now good as new and ready to service the community for decades to come.

Lauriston Hall

Lauriston Hall has been serving the community since the 1930s. The legacy of two sisters determined to keep their community together, the hall still serves as an important local space.

In 2020, the Stronger Regional Communities Program, alongside Macedon Ranges Shire Council and the local community, funded a much-needed upgrade of the venue.

The space was upgraded to hold live music performances, meetings, community gatherings, exhibitions and private functions.

Upgrades also provided a new roof and new bathroom facilities, alongside a renovated kitchen and improved access for people of all abilities.

Thanks to these upgrades, the almost 300-person town can look forward to many more years of happy memories at the hall.

Bundalaguah-Myrtlebank Hall

From the cow paddock to the lights of Victoria's country music scene, it's been quite a journey for the Bundalaguah-Myrtlebank Hall.

Known to patrons as 'Live at the Bundy', the 70-year-old venue is rocking regional Victoria.

Closed and set for demolition in 2012, the historic building was saved by the Bundy Hall Committee and funding from the Victorian Government.

The replacement of a condemned roof, construction of accessible toilets, and the installation of a new kitchen and fencing brought the building up to standard.

Spotting an opportunity, the Bundy Hall Committee converted it into a live music and arts venue featuring a state-of-the-art sound system and acoustic treatment for up to 200 people.

Ten years since the first live music performance, The Bundy Hall continues to draw music lovers from across the state.

Applications for the Tiny Towns Fund are now open

This fund is for small communities with big dreams of fixing, upgrading or transforming their community halls. To learn more and apply now, visit Tiny Towns Fund.