General News
1 September, 2023
Wallup primed for centenary celebrations
A century ago Wallup district residents gathered with pride for the opening of their new corrugated-iron hall. A hundred years on, Wallup district residents will again gather with pride at the hall, this time to celebrate its centenary. Centenarian...
A century ago Wallup district residents gathered with pride for the opening of their new corrugated-iron hall.
A hundred years on, Wallup district residents will again gather with pride at the hall, this time to celebrate its centenary.
Centenarian Ian McRae, who lived close to the hall for most of his life and is now settled in Dimboola, will be guest of honour at the celebrations on Sunday September 10.
Now 101 years old, he was a toddler when the hall was built.
It was home to the renowned Wallup Pipe Band for 60 years and the strong Scottish heritage of many Wallup residents meant an annual Caledonian Ball was a must on the social calendar for people across a wide area.
Hall committee secretary Rob McRae said the venue had been an integral part of the community for decades.
"It was important to this community, especially when the nearest town was a long horse-ride away," Mr McRae said.
Wallup Primary School concerts, Wallup tennis club, Wheat and Wool Growers meetings and then later GrainCorp and Victorian Farmers Federation branch meetings, Landcare gatherings and KidSafe days for school students across a wide area were some of the activities held there.
There were also picnics, North Wimmera CFA meetings and each January an Australia Day celebration as well as an annual event to host students attending Longerenong College.
The day's centenary celebrations will include a lunch and an afternoon tea provided by the hall committee and displays of photographs.
* Wallup is north of Horsham, midway between Warracknabeal and Dimboola.