By Dongyun Kwon
This year marks a significant milestone for Badger Creek Hall as it’s turning 100 years old.
To celebrate the special year, the Badger Creek Hall committee has prepared to host a special birthday party since 2023.
Badger Committee Hall committee member and centenary co-ordinator Adam Cole said the event preparation has been in its final stage, and most of the programs have been confirmed.
“We have all of our performers locked down, most of our vendors locked down including a beer tent and a coffee van,” he said.
“All the activities and community groups, which are participating (in the event), are all confirmed.
“It would be a great opportunity to meet all the other community groups that exist in Badger Creek, listen to the music of local performers and support local businesses.”
The district, which has become Badger Creek, was established in 1894 as the result of the Victorian Government’s Village Settlements Act.
In 1899, a State School, for both First Nations students from Coranderrk and new settler students, was opened and became the main meeting place for the community.
In 1917, the South Healesville Progress Association was formed to advance the welfare of the community.
By 1922, there were a tennis club and court, a church, guest houses and a sawmill.
In late December 1924, a community hall was built and officially opened on 13 February 1925 on Glen Eadie Avenue.
The hall building was relocated to the current site at 358 Badger Creek Road in 1978.
The centenary event is going to be divided into two parts; daytime activities between 10am and 4.30pm, and bush dance from 6.30pm.
“The daytime activities will be held in the hall and car park,” Mr Cole said.
“We’ll be able to come back with free sausage sizzle from 6.30pm. We have a band playing bush dance music in the hall from 7pm till 9pm.”
There will be music by local musicians and local singing groups, activities for kids like water bugs and making mud pies as well as a tour of Badger Creek Old School Building and Badger Creek Primary School New Building during the daytime.
“The Historical Society’s presentation is going to be good,” Mr Cole said.
“The Healesville Historical Society has been working for months on putting together a historical presentation.
“We’re going to have large photos mounted all around the walls.”
Badger Creek and District Men’s Shed will open for inspection and run the sausage sizzle.
The birthday cake-cutting ceremony will take place at 3.15pm, served with Devonshire tea.
The daytime event is free of charge while the bush dance event costs $20 for adults but is free for children.
“Our intention was never going to be a fundraising event. It was always going to be a gift to the community, and we tried to keep everything for free,” Mr Cole said.
“But because we didn’t get the amount of funding that we needed, we have to charge the bush dance.
“People are more than welcome to bring their own food and drinks for any part of the event.”
The event co-ordinating group already requested cooperation to get extra parking spaces for visitors at Badger Creek Primary School and Badger Creek Preschool but is encouraging people who live close by to walk to the venue.
For any enquiries, please contact Mr Cole through phone on 0480 412 202.
