General News
13 February, 2026
New lease for Historical Society
The Hopetoun and District Historical Society Inc will have a secure future thanks to a new seven-year lease with the Yarriambiack Shire Council for the Austin Street Memorial Hall.
At the January 28 meeting, Yarriambiack Shire councillors unanimously agreed to endorse the lease with the Hopetoun and District Historical Society Incorporated.
The lease for the Hopetoun Memorial Hall sets the rent at just $1 plus GST per year.
The council owns both the Hopetoun Memorial Hall building and the land it sits on.
To meet its governance obligations, the council needed to formalise the arrangement with a Lease Agreement.
Although the council agreed the Hall was well managed, the Hall Committee was not incorporated and did not have Public Liability Insurance.
This situation created a risk for both the council and the volunteers.
Incorporation and Public Liability Insurance are both required to enter into a lease with the council.
Late last year, the council’s governance officer met with the H&DHS Committee to talk about transferring the Hall lease.
A draft lease outlined that the Hall Sub-Committee would manage daily operations, reporting annually to H&DHS, while H&DHS would only add the Hall to its Public Liability Insurance. Council would redirect funds to H&DHS for the insurance premium, with the Hall Committee covering any shortfall.
The proposed Lease Agreement aligns with relevant policies and legislative requirements, including those related to community access and facility management.
The lease ensures that Hopetoun Memorial Hall will continue to operate within the scope of its community-focused mission, contributing positively to the local community. By endorsing the Lease Agreement, the Council would be fulfilling its responsibility as a landowner while providing the Hall Committee and the H&DHS with the security and clarity necessary for their ongoing operations.
“Because of the rich history of the Society dating back to the previous Karkarooc Council, from 1896 to 1995, and continuing with the Yarriambuiack Shire, this is an important move and one which we welcome,” H&DHS president Jenny Stephens said.
"The Society has received the lease, which is pending until the Society's next meeting, when we expect to finalise the documents.”
The Society plans to bring back historic events like balls and dances from the past.
"This will help us preserve history and recreate memories for many who have enjoyed the resplendent events of the past," she said.
The Hopetoun Historical Society is made up of locals who are passionate about preserving and sharing Hopetoun’s long and proud history.
The Society’s collection of artefacts, housed at the old Primary School, continues to grow and includes items from the district’s settlement more than 170 years ago.
A must-see on a visit to Hopetoun is the Corrong Homestead, which not only tells the fascinating story of the settlement but also features a large number of exhibits, is open most Fridays from 9 am to midday, and is available for group bookings.
For the past 100 years, Memorial Hall has hosted weddings, cabarets, parties, community events, meetings, exhibitions, movies, sports, and more.
The foundation stone shows that the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall was officially opened in 1923 and reads that the building was erected by a grateful public, as a tribute to the men of Hopetoun and District who fought in the Great War.
The guest list on the day included four local mothers who lost children in the Great War, as well as relevant dignitaries.