Gre Gre Village Soldiers Memorial Hall
Gre Gre Village Road GRE GRE, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
The Gre Gre Memorial Hall off the Gre Gre Village Road, Gre Gre, has significance as an important commemorative icon in the Gre Gre area to the fallen soldiers in the First World War. The building also has significance as an intact example of an interwar hall. Built in 1923, the hall has served the Gre Gre community for a variety of purposes throughout the 20th century. It appears to be in fair condition, with evidence of some rusting in the roof cladding, and deterioration in the timber detailing in the gable ends. The Gre Gre Memorial Hall is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. It demonstrates original design qualities for an interwar hall building. These qualities include the broad gable roof form, together with the minor open gabled porte cochere at the front. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the stuccoed concrete wall construction, galvanised corrugated iron roof cladding, five galvanised ventilation stacks, wide eaves with exposed timber rafters, timber framed windows with highlights (but not the galvanised corrugated iron sheeting blocking up the windows), double three panelled timber entrance doors, round concrete porte cochere columns on stuccoed concrete piers, stuccoed concrete buttresses, decorative timber fretwork and flagpole in the main flying gable end, timber bargeboards, timber gable infill in the porte cochere, and the signage panel/band on the main gable. The Gre Gre Memorial Hall is historically and socially significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with the development of Gre Gre Village and area in the early 20th century, and commemorates the fallen soldiers in the First World War (1914-1919). Built in 1923 by local residents under the supervision of John Rowe of St. Arnaud, the hall has served the community for a variety of purposes throughout the 20th century. It is therefore recognised and valued by the Gre Gre community for cultural, commemorative and recreational reasons. Overall, the Gre Gre Memorial Hall is of LOCAL significance.
RECOMMENDED LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE: LOCAL
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Gre Gre Village Soldiers Memorial Hall - Physical Description 1
The Gre Gre Memorial Hall off Gre Gre Village Road, Gre Gre, has a rural setting comprising open grassed surrounds and nearby trees.
The stuccoed concrete, interwar hall building is characterised by a broad gable roof form, together with a minor open gabled porte cochere at the front. These roof forms are clad in lapped galvanised corrugated iron. Five galvanised ventilation stacks adorn the roofline. Wide overhangs and exposed timber rafters are features of the eaves. Other early features of the design include the timber framed windows with three paned highlights (the windows are now blocked up with galvanised corrugated iron sheeting), double three panelled timber entrance doors, round concrete porte cochere columns on stuccoed concrete piers, stuccoed concrete buttresses, decorative timber fretwork and flagpole in the main flying gable end, timber bargeboards, signage in the gable end that reads "Soldiers Memorial Hall 1923", and the timber gable infill in the porte cochere.
Veterans Description for Public
Gre Gre Village Soldiers Memorial Hall - Veterans Description for Public
The Gre Gre Village Soldiers Memorial Hall, off Gre Gre Village Road, was constructed in 1923 to commemorate the soldiers who fell in the First World War. A report in the St. Arnaud Mercury in 1923 provided the following details:
"The erection of a substantial concrete building has just been completed at Gre Gre Village where it will stand as a Soldiers Memorial in honour of those brave men from that district who enlisted and gave their services in the Great War.
The old hall has been in use 47 years and the new hall is close by the old hall. Measurements are 56 ft. x 26 ft., walls 13 ft. 7 inc. The ceiling is fibrous plaster, jarrah flooring. There is a collapsible stage and convenient ante-room. The hall was built by local residents under the supervision of Mr John Rowe, of St. Arnaud, at a cost of £610. The money being obtained by voluntary subscription.
A short service and dedication was followed by an official opening with a good attendance of local and district residents as well as visitors from elsewhere. Rev. Canon Coupe, Christ Church, St. Arnaud, and Mr. McDonald, Presbyterian Missioner, conducted the proceedings. Mr. A. Summerfield officiated with the Cornet sounding the Last Post. An Honour Board containing the names of local soldiers was hung in the Hall.The singing of 'God Save the King' concluded the ceremony."
The stuccoed concrete, interwar hall building is characterised by a broad gable roof form, together with a minor open gabled porte cochere at the front. These roof forms are clad in lapped galvanised corrugated iron. Five galvanised ventilation stacks adorn the roofline. Wide overhangs and exposed timber rafters are features of the eaves. Other early features of the design include the timber framed windows with three paned highlights (the windows are now blocked up with galvanised corrugated iron sheeting), double three panelled timber entrance doors, round concrete porte cochere columns on stuccoed concrete piers, stuccoed concrete buttresses, decorative timber fretwork and flagpole in the main flying gable end, timber bargeboards, signage in the gable end that reads "Soldiers Memorial Hall 1923", and the timber gable infill in the porte cochere. The hall closed in c.1991, it is not known whether the Honour Board remains in the building.
Heritage Study and Grading
Northern Grampians - Shire of Northern Grampians - Stage 2 Heritage Study
Author: Wendy Jacobs, Vicki Johnson, David Rowe, Phil Taylor
Year: 2004
Grading:
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Gre Gre Village Soldiers Memorial Hall, Tottington Road, GRE GRENorthern Grampians Shire
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Gre Gre State School No 2286 Site, Gre Gre Village Road, GRE GRENorthern Grampians Shire
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Gre Gre Village Soldiers Memorial HallVic. War Heritage Inventory
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