Bellingen Memorial Hall Receives Grant Funding

Council was delighted with this week’s news by Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey MP that it had been successful in receiving grant funding under the Local Heritage Near Me Activation Grant to renovate and reactivate the upstairs section of the Bellingen Soldiers Memorial Hall.

Funding in the amount of $92,243 will enable the registered War Memorial Soldiers Window to be reinstalled in its original location and allow vintage artefacts from the old bio box film projector room to be displayed.  Following the renovation works, the area will be used as a community co-working space, a community meeting room and a leased office which together will generate ongoing revenue to be used for the Hall’s future maintenance.  The upstairs area will also be made available to schools and visitors upon request.

To raise awareness of the readapted upstairs area and foster an appreciation for its heritage, Council will also install interpretive signage in the downstairs foyer.  The interpretive signage will outline the Hall’s exceptional history and also communicate the current uses of upstairs to build community awareness and increase visitation rates.

“This is great news for our community as it will not only protect the historic heritage for future generations but it will create a usable space for groups and encourage networking opportunities and social participation”, said Bellingen Shire Mayor, Cr Dominic King.

“Restoration of the upstairs area will complement the recent upgrade works undertaken as part of the Bellingen Main Street Beautification Project and will further enhance the historic character and appearance of the town,” added the Mayor.