SACRIFICE and service for war-time Australia and a proud, resilient little community will be the themes of the day, when Bahgallah commemorates its servicemen and women and marks its hall centenary, on Remembrance Day.
The Bahgallah Memorial Hall is its own little museum of the local community – keeping safe a plethora of news clippings, photos and trophies which piece together the little town’s proud history.
Although work to spruce it up has been slowed in the recent weather conditions, hall committee secretary, Kaye Annett said the building would be ready to welcome community members, past and present, to come together and share their fond memories of growing up locally.
“People that grew up here, they are excited in their own way,” she said.
The hall will also host the Casterton RSL sub-branch’s annual Remembrance Day service.
The history of the hall dates back to the first public meeting of its committee on 11 March, 1922, when the intent to build a hall to honour the town’s First World War servicemen was first signalled.
The build took just eight months and the building was ready to open on 11 November on what was then known as Armistice Day.
It is only in the last 15 years the collection of historical memorabilia has been growing.
Some of the memorabilia harks back to days before the hall was born and one piece of notable history is a printed version of the First World War diary kept by George McIntyre.
Other pieces recall the many outstanding events which packed the building regularly, including weddings and school concerts.
It became the “hub” of the community, with other events hosted including funerals, church services, carnivals and flower shows.
Connections across the Casterton district to the people who celebrated key events will have a major part to play in the Friday’s celebration.
In 1959, the hall hosted the 50th anniversary of Alfred and Jane Galpin – the grandparents of artist Julie Kent, who is donating a painting titled ‘Bahgallah Bushland’ to be raffled on the day.
Ms Annett said raffle tickets were available at Murrell’s Shoes and All Sorts.
Also remembered are the many clubs which serviced or represented Bahgallah – from the social club to the cricket and football clubs among other sporting teams.
The history contained within the hall can not be adequately covered in a single newspaper – it has to be viewed and read in person to fully see what the name ‘Bahgallah’ means to those who know the place best.
“People could while away a few hours out here if they really want to,” Ms Annett said.
Among the most prized items within the hall are the honour boards which adorn the wall above the stage.
The first, honouring the town’s First World War veterans, was put together in 1917 – before the war had concluded – and was originally displayed in the Bahgallah State School.
It moved into the hall when the school closed in 1979.
In 2017, a second honour board was built as the hall commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Broodseinde, which claimed three local lives.
On the Friday’s celebration, a third board will join them in their place on the wall, this time marking the names of the locals who served in the Second World War.
“We’ve got 49 names to be dedicated on the new honour board,” Ms Annett said.
Memorabilia from them will be among the displayed historical pieces in the hall.
A plaque will also be unveiled out the front by the flagpole site to honour Bahgallah’s veterans of the war.
