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Bellingen Memorial Hall

Bellingen Memorial Hall
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Bellingen Memorial Hall facade and surroundings
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Bellingen Memorial Hall left tablet
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Bellingen Memorial Hall right tablet
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Close-up of Soldiers Window in the Bellingen Memorial Hall
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Soldiers Window set within bank of windows in the Bellingen Memorial Hall
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Description / Background

The Bellingen Memorial Hall is a two storey building, constructed in 1929. It was originally known as the Bellingen Memorial Hall and Literary Institute.

At a public meeting in Bellingen on 6 June 1919, it was moved a memorial hall be constructed. A committee was established and by October £523 had been raised. Permission was granted by the Attorney General's Department for the committee to conduct an art union to raise funds. At a further meeting in October 1920, it was decided to purchase the property known as 'Clarement' for the hall. 

Several years later, on 6 August 1928, The Sydney Morning Herald reported "the tender of Mr. B.C. Johnson, of Bellingen, has been accepted at £4187 for the erection of a new memorial hall and literary institute at Bellingen." On 30 April the following year, The Daily Examiner published an article describing the official opening held on Anzac Day. It was the second tribute to the district men who had served in the Great War. The hall was officially opened by Major-General C F Fox, CB, CMG, DSO, VD. 

A main feature of the hall is a stained glass window, measuring approximately 1600mm high by 1200mm wide. The window features the image of a soldier, which has been intricately hand painted and kiln fired onto the glass. The soldier, dressed in First World War uniform and wearing webbing and pack, is standing in profile and holding a Lee Enfield rifle, with bayonet fixed. 

Inscription

Front façade shield

SOLDIERS

MEMORIAL HALL

AND

LITERARY

INSTITUTE

1929

Front façade

BELLINGEN MEMORIAL HALL

Left tablet

Foundation tablet laid by

J. C. HILLIER ESQ.

President Bellingen

Branch R.S. & S.I. League

April 25th 1929.

Right tablet

Foundation tablet laid by

H. B. COPELAND ESQ.

President Of This

Memorial Hall & Institute

April 25th 1929.

Window

Bellingen Memorial

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Sidebar
Address
35 Hyde Street
Bellingen NSW 2454
Local Government Area
Bellingen Shire
Setting
Roadside
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Building
Recorded by
Graham Wilson OAM. Susan Lumsdaine.
Year of construction
1929
Dedication date
25 April 1929
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18