Following one of the worst flood events ever to hit Greater Shepparton in October 2022, the Mooroopna and M.G. O’Brien halls have reopened their doors.
The restoration project has been successfully completed after more than two years of dedication from the hall’s management committee and numerous contributions from various organisations.
A staggering $600,000 in flood recovery funding from state and federal governments, Greater Shepparton Foundation, and Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project has made this project possible.
Additionally, the Mooroopna Kiwanis Club generously donated $1000 toward purchasing a new refrigerator for the halls.
Committee of management treasurer Christine Parnell said the group was “absolutely stunned” to receive this funding.
“With it, we were able to achieve so much to make this a much better space for the public to use,” she said.
That ‘achievement’ is in the buckled floorboards, sanded and refinished, soggy red velvet curtains, now crimson, re-painted walls of buttery yellow, and much more.
Arguably, the most severe damage was the partial collapse of the suspended ceiling in the Mooroopna Hall due to an ageing ventilation system failing to keep out the heavy rains that pounded down.
Unironically, Ms Parnell said this was “a blessing in disguise”.
“When we looked at the possibility of replacing the suspended ceiling and renewing the tiles, we discovered seven sheets of plaster lying on the suspended ceiling,” she said.
“The whole lot could have come down at any time.”
Not only did they discover this hazard, but they also uncovered hidden treasures during its restoration.
“After we pulled the suspended ceiling … we found this cornice work from 1932,” Ms Parnell said.
“It was covered up by the plasterwork, as was the proscenium arch of the stage.”
Improvements extend to the kitchen, which was completely overhauled after the floods.
What was once particleboard wood and a maisonette is now fitted with stainless-steel walls and flooring – one of the conscious decisions to integrate flood mitigation into the restoration plans.
“We don’t want to go through all this again … we can move the refrigerator out, raise the stove, and do as much sandbagging as we can,” Ms Parnell said.
Between the two buildings, a newly constructed laneway stands as a reminder of the water’s wrath, complete with a plaque indicating the previous flood level.
While it’s unsettling to think about the time of torrential rains, it serves as a reminder of community spirit.
Ms Parnell is especially grateful to the local tradespeople who have dedicated their time, energy and thought to the restoration work.
“I never dreamed that we’d ever be able to achieve what we have achieved, and it's a testament to our tradespeople,” she said.
“We were really, really pleased with them – they put such pride in their work.”
With the halls now fully operational, the community can once again gather, celebrate, and create memories in these cherished spaces.
“The floods were hard, very hard, and a lot of people are still trying to recover,” Ms Parnell said.
“We’re so excited to let people know that something good has happened.”
The Mooroopna and M.G. O’Brien halls are located at the corner of McLennan and Archer streets in Mooroopna.
For more information, hall tours, or bookings, contact 0492 175 566.