The Finley School of Arts has been home to a vast variety of community gatherings and celebrations since it was established 120 years ago.
It’s been home to Catholic Church services, weddings, dances, dramatic performances and much more.
A facility for the community, it is because of the community it was established in the first place.
The hall is located on Murray St in the main street of Finley, but is actually the second School of Arts to be constructed in Finley.
As recorded in Norman McAllister’s book ‘Looking Back on Finley’, the Murray Hut Progress Association raised enough money to purchase a site in Finley St at the sale of town lots in 1892.
After the land being invested in trustees, a drive for funds met with a great result; however, due to the great financial crisis of the early 1890s the funds were frozen.
Construction of the original School of Arts finally started in early in 1894, and was officially opened in April of that year.
During its life of seven years, the building was used by the education department as a school, as well as a place of common worship by the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist congregations.
Unfortunately, Finley’s first School of Arts was destroyed by fire in 1901, as reported in the Albury Banner and Wodonga Express on Friday, July 19, 1901.
“The School of Arts at Finley, a brick building, situated outside the town, was destroyed by fire last Friday evening, with the whole of its contents, including a piano and organ, the property of the combined churches, which used the hall for church purposes.
“Soon after the fire started, several persons endeavored to save some of the contents, but the walls suddenly collapsed, and they had a narrow escape, being struck by a number of bricks.
“No cause can be assigned for the outbreak. The building was insured in the National Company of New Zealand, but the amount was not ascertainable, as the policy is in the bank at Tocumwal.”
Many fundraising activities took part in the lead-up to the official opening of the new School of Arts hall in 1904.
One such fundraising event, as reported in the Numurkah Leader on Friday, February 28, 1902, was a cycling competition which drew riders from interstate.
“A grand cycling carnival is to be held on March 19th in aid of the building fund of the Finley School of Arts,” the report read.
“£85 is to be distributed in prize money.
“The Hon Sec Mr F Hoyle, is, as usual, leaving no stone unturned to make the affair a success.
“Already some first-class riders from Melbourne have nominated.
“A bazaar is to be held in the evening, and it is to be hoped that a start will soon be made with the new building, as the want of a public hall is greatly felt.”
After more than a century of use, extensive renovations of the hall were carried out in 2019.
Completed by the December of that year, official opening celebrations were hosted in February 2020.
Our very own From Finley columnist Anne Freestone, who is also a member of the School of Arts management committee reported on the event.
“A large crowd gathered at the Finley School of Arts hall last Sunday for the official opening and celebration of the renovations carried out on this historic building,” she wrote.
“President of the Finley War Memorial Hall and School of Arts management committee Ross Whittaker thanked Berrigan Shire Council Mayor Matt Hannan for obtaining funding for the long overdue repairs and maintenance to be carried out.
“Ross and Matt both made mention of the extensive time and effort secretary Jan Gray and her husband Ted dedicate to the School of Arts.”
The renovations were costed at more than $645,000 and work included new toilet areas, kitchen upgrade and internal and external painting.
“This upgrade has resulted in much more efficient and practical amenities which will benefit all who wish to use the venue,” Mrs Freestone reported following the opening.
“Former residents who returned to Finley for the opening included Cheryl and Terry Hanily who travelled from Canberra for the occasion.
“Cheryl is the daughter of Mary and Keith Dawe who were heavily involved in managing the complex and with training debutantes for many years.
“Plaques are erected to commemorate Mary’s service from 1940 until 1997 and Keith from 1940 until 1980.
“Their daughter Pam and her husband Ken Gardiner continued the deb training in later years.
“Cheryl was thrilled to see her mother in one of the historic photos installed around the walls, supplied by Peter Hamilton, of a ball held in earlier years.
“She also made mention that the existing curtains were made by her mother and restored by Jan Gray.”