The Series
This is part of a series of caches taking a tour of the North Central Victorian town of St. Arnaud. encomappsing sporting, historically significant and let's face it, places that I like in the town that I live.
This is the revived fourth in a series of caches set around the township of St. Arnaud in North Central Victoria. Based around and throughout the town these caches hopefully get you out and about looking at a township that was built on gold.
The coordinates you have followed will find you in front of the St. Arnaud Town Hall.
About the Town Hall
The St. Arnaud Town Hall, Napier Street, St. Arnaud, is a landmark in the town and makes a highly significant visual, architectural and civic contribution to the streetscape. It is quite often used to host deb balls and football/netball/hockey club balls, school graduation nights, the occasional concert and the McDonald Hall (attached to the main hall) contains the very active community cinema.
Originally constructed in 1869, major alterations and the addition of a second storey in 1898 transformed the building to its present form and character, although the rendered War Memorial portico was not added until 1928. This most unusual eclectic Victorian and Federation Free Classical designed building is particularly intact from the exterior, as a building of the late 1890s. This building also has significance as being one of an unusual grouping of former government and civic 19th and early 20th century buildings, of which most are visually linked to the Queen Mary gardens.
Some More History
The Mayor James Stewart convinced the people of the need to build a Town Hall, and the site was chosen, although many people did not agree with the site, as a lot of the shops were further down the street near the post office.
The foundation stone was laid on the 28/8/1869, a procession marched through the principle streets to the Market Reserve were 700 people were assembled. The procession was led by Sgt Murphy, followed by the St Arnaud Brass Band. After several prayers and speeches a time capsule was placed in the hole and the Mayor James Stewart placed the foundation stone in position. The time capsule consisted of a glass jar containing coins, the St Arnaud Mercury and Argus news papers,impression of the Borough seal and a document describing the event and a list of the first councilors, Mayors, the committee and workers on the project.
The hall was opened in 1870 .
Due to alterations the foundation stone had to be moved and was placed at the base of the south pilaster at the main entrance. When the time capsule was removed it was discovered the original document was reduced to pulp by moisture . A copy of the original contents were placed in a lead container together with an up date of the councilors etc, also a up dated copy of the news papers of the times. The Mayor Alfred Giles replaced the foundation stone on 22/12/1896.
In 1928 the WWI memorial was added. In 1935 the large hall was added on the left of the patio, this has upstairs seating for 200 people. There was a Morton Bay fig tree either side of the patio but one was removed when the extensions were made. In 1985 council offices and the public library were added on the right of the patio.
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
To log this Virtual Geocache please post a photo of yourself OR a photo containing your Geocaching name in front of the Town Hall and post the picture with your log.
Your Caching name can be a token or something with your caching name on it or even just your caching name written on a piece of paper. Ensure that you post this picture with your log.
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.