Recently I was given a program from the Pleasant Hills Literary Institute 80th Anniversary Ball from Friday 13th November 1992. The program contained several "Memories" from long-time residents:
Flo Forck remembered her father as caretaker, paying her and her sisters 2/6 to clean the Ante-room. She recalled trying to sleep on the floor in the powder room during balls, feeling the vibrations from the music and dancing.
Ted Grunow noted that the greatest tribute to the Hall was its dance floor—reputed to be the best between the two rivers, made of locally grown and milled timber.
Jessie Kincaid recalled seeing her first "Talkies" (movies) at the hall in the mid-1920s, including The Ten Commandments and Rin Tin Tin. She remembered traveling to the hall in a horse and sulky with a lantern swinging in the dark.
Eunice McRae had fond memories of doing slippery slides on the floor between dances and a humorous incident involving a tennis club premiership ball preparation.
Dorothy Fischer was highlighted in a 1958 Henty Observer report as "Ballerina of the Ball" at the second Pleasant Hills CWA Ball. The event was a major success, raising £82 with an attendance of 160.
Program gifted by Margie Jacobson. Re-written by Fiona Beckett.