By Aaron Cordy
THE pages of time were turned back on Saturday when the Shepparton Heritage Museum celebrated 150 years of Foresters Hall. On November 24, 1873, Mr William Fraser agreed to construct a Hall on his land and lease it to Mr James Hay for 5 years with an annual rent of £300.
Honoured guests Andrew Furphy and Shepparton Heritage Centre (SHC) life member Peter Ford were guest speakers. Mayor Shane Sali cut the ribbon to open the centre’s exhibition. With a Greater Shepparton City Councillors in attendance, State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe presented a congratulatory plaque to the SHC president Geoff Maynard and life member Peter Ford, honouring their contributions to preserving the building’s past.
The hall has been a significant part of Shepparton’s history, filling many roles and passing through ownership many times when in 1967, Shepparton City Council purchased the Hall and the adjoining land. That didn’t end the transformation of the hall, but it did begin its journey to the museum as it stands today.
While the 150-year celebration is over, SHC has been busy working on Shepparton’s Progressive History Exhibition, which will run until the end of May 2024. To step back in time and see the wonders of past life in Shepparton, visit Shepparton Heritage Museum on 152 Welsford Street, Tuesdays to Saturdays, between 10.30am and 4pm.
