We know our hall as the Pleasant Hills Hall, although it has been listed as a Mechanic’s Institute (1912), a Literary Institute Hall (1920), and School of the Arts (1911-12).
The Hall was built in 1912 from locally milled timber sourced just west of the village by Lindner & Sons. A builder was employed and helped by local community members, which reduced the cost, and the Hall was debit free within the first 3 years.
In the early years, the Hall was lit by shellite with a pump-up air tank. In the early 1950’s, a generator was bought to power the hall. In 1958, electricity came to the town, and there was a ball at the Hall to celebrate the grand occasion. Mrs C Gale put out a symbolic lantern, Mrs S Klemke blew out a symbolic candle, and Mrs C Grunow switched the button that turned on the electricity.
Soon after came the toilet block, installed and paid for by the community. In the 1970’s, the western extension was added in 3 stages.
The Hall has been used by the people of Pleasant Hills and District for parties, card evenings, concerts, weddings, and balls. It is still regularly used by the local patchwork group and for the annual Anzac Day service.
Written by Fiona Beckett. Source: Trove, Pleasant Hills history books.