War Memorials in Australia
Booborowie District Soldiers Memorial Institute
Place:
Booborowie, South Australia, 5417
District: Northern
Agricultural
Orientation: 32 km NW of Burra
Location: North Terrace and Fourth Street
Position:
__________________________
The foundation stone was laid on 29 March 1921 by Mr I. J. Warnes, chairman of the district council and the building was opened on 21 September 1921 by Mrs Warnes, his wife.
Additions were opened on 23 March 1957.
Funds to build both the hall and the additions were raised by the sale of crops.
The following account of the opening of the additions is from the Record of 26 March 1957.
"Lest We Forget"
Grand Opening - Booborowie Memorial Hall Additions
Week end Functions Raise £700
In perfect weather, a large crowd attended the Opening of the
Booborowie memorial Hall Additions, etc., on Saturday afternoon. a Pre-Opening
Ball, Donations, Stalls, High Tea and Concert, raised over
£700 during the week-end.
This memorial Hall at Booborowie is certainly something of which
residents of that town and district can certainly be proud. The interior,
with its decorative appearance, extended stage and beautiful new curtains, and
almost a dream kitchen, is really outstanding.
Many old residents of Booborowie and district returned for the week-end to
witness the Opening and Dedication of this fine Building.
THE BALL
Never before has such a crowd been present at a dance in the Booborowie
Hall.
The door takings were over £100 and netted £80 towards the fund.
The committee and residents were certainly happy with an opening as this to
their hard worked for week-end.
THE OPENING
The large crowd gathered at 3 p.m. on Saturday in front of
the building for the opening ceremony.
Mr. Alan Pearce, Chairman of the Hall Committee, extended a cordial welcome and
briefly outlined a few details appertaining to the commencement and completion
of the building over the years. An interesting point noticed was the
foundation stone laid by the late I. J. Warnes on 29th March 1921, almost 37
years ago to the day.
TOWN CLOSED
Mr Pearce said this was one of the greatest days in the history of
Booborowie. Thirty-seven years ago, the President of the Committee had
approached the Mayor of Burra to have the whole of the town closed and all
surrounding schools were granted a half holiday for the original opening.
Tenders were first called for a building in 1920 and it was opened by Mrs. I. J.
Warnes on September 21st, 1921.
Continuing, Mr. Pearce said, of the old original Committee there are only two
members left, Messrs Wingfield and McEvoy. Both gentlemen were present on
Saturday. For the past five years, Mr. Michael Hawker had given 312 acres
of land for cropping. With the co-operation of Mr. John Hawker and manager
at Booborowie, they had sent in teams each year to help with the seeding and
harvesting. All labour had been voluntary.
The ladies of the district had also done a marvellous job and it was these
ladies connected with the C.W.A. who had worked for and given the new stage
curtains.
The Burra, Hallett and Spalding District Councils had also been very
co-operative.
John Dewhirst, as Secretary, had always been willing, efficient and a tremendous
help, said Mr. Pearce.
An apology was received from Mrs. Andy Cousins, who in the earlier opening had
handed the silver trowel to Mr. Warnes when laying the foundation stone.
Mr. Pearce then introduced Mr. B. Dinham, President of Booborowie R.S.L., who
gave a moving address in connection with the meaning of "Memorial" and in
conclusion added that it was fitting to have a "Memorial Hall" as a community
centre.
The Hon. Mr. Wilson, MLC, State Vice-President of the RSL, said that from an RSL
angle Mr Dinham had covered all very well and hoped the people would take care
of this building, as it stood for something wonderful.
Mr. Quirke, Member for Burra District, congratulated those responsible for their
remarkable effort and said that it was quite fitting for the opening ceremony to
be performed by Mr. Hawker.
Mr. Woodgate, first of the hall committee presidents, said that this was the
third "red letter" day in the history of Booborowie - First was the opening of
the hall; second, the installation of Electric light; third, the completion and
dedication of the building. When the project was first thought of, he
continued wheat was selling at 1/7 to the bushel and wool at 8¾d lb. Money
was hard to come by in those days, but through the years the Hall had been
completed, and now stood a Memorial Hall second to none in South Australia.
Mr. Bob Wingfield congratulated the later members of the Committee and the
ladies of the district for their sterling effort and said he was immensely proud
of the building. He added that he had followed the reports of the
activities of the Hall Committee through "The Burra Record" and added that itr
was he who had prepared and written the report of the "Foundation Stone"
ceremony for "The Record".
Mr. McEvoy, in a few words said the only man in his day with any money was Mr.
I. J. Warnes, and he didn't give it in a few pounds but hundreds. "He was
a good man for the District".
Mr. Leo Gill, former resident of Booborowie said, as the other speakers had
mentioned, money was hard to get in 1921, and although the Committee had been
short of funds they had not lacked enterprise.
Mr. E. J. Affolter, contractor for the building, thanked the speakers for their
complementary remarks in connection with the building, and said it had been an
honour to build according to plans and specifications.
Mr. Pearce then ran through the figures in connection with the cost of the
building. Through Mr. John Hawker's kindness approximately £6,000
had been raised by the crops during the past four seasons. The
improvements to the building, painting, plastering and electricity cost £7,500.
Up until Friday the Committee owed £1,080 and Mr. Hawker said he would allow
them to crop another piece of land for this year.
Mr. Pearce thanked Mr. Hawker for his kindness and said the building would be a
living tribute to him.
Mr. Hawker, with a few very well chosen words, said the
real thanks should go to those people who had worked behind the scenes all the
time and received little credit. He also thanked Mr. Brooks, his manager,
for his thoughtfulness and co-operation.
Mr. Hawker then declared the building open, saying he hoped it would have a long
and useful life.
Mr. Ron. Dewhirst moved a vote of thanks to the speakers, and this was carried
with acclamation.
The gathering dispersed to inspect the building and make purchases at the
various stalls.
£200 CURTAINS
These stalls were operated by the C.W.A. ladies and funds raised (£80) were
to offset the cost of the curtains they supplied for the Hall.
Jumble - Convenors. Mesdames Les. Pearce, G. Williams and Basil Billings.
Cake - Mesdames F. Sullivan and Don Campbell.
Sweets - Mesdames E. Woolford, W. Herdman and F. Dinham.
Cool drinks and Ice-cream - Messrs E. Woolford, W. Herdman, J. Lomman and H.
Taylor.
HIGH TEA
Preparations for the High Tea were in the hands of Mrs Clapp and a willing
band of helpers.
A feature of note here was the excellent lay-out and amenities of the kitchen.
The tea proved quite successful and approximately £54 was taken.
THE CONCERT
The Hall was packed to capacity for the Concert at night. It is
estimated there were 500 people in the hall. Thirty artists cane from
Clare and Ron. Reynolds and the "Two Jays" from Adelaide.
Miss Diedre Snell of Booborowie, assisted and gave an excellent performance in
"The Young Man Waited."
Mrs. Woodward, former resident, also assisted.
Door takings for this function were £89.
SUMMING UP
Prior to the opening, donations to the extent of £250 had been given.
These were:
Younger Set of Booborowie £90; A. L. Collins, £25; A. L. Pearce, £25; Michael
Hawker, £25; Richard Hawker, £25; G. Stanley Hawker, £25;
Les. Pearce, £25; Oates Limited, Burra, £10.
Ball, £80; High Tea, £54; Concert, £89; Further donations (published next week)
£153 - Total £626.
So it can be seen, that given a good crop this season, the debt of the Hall will
be completely wiped off by this time next year, and a credit of about £250 in
hand.
Really a tremendous effort.
On west wall above entrance
BOOBOROWIE DISTRICT SOLDIERS
MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
Marble tablet on west wall next
to entrance door
LEST WE FORGET
BOOBOROWIE MEMORIAL
INSTITUTE HALL
THIS STONE WAS LAID
BY
I.J. WARNES
ON THE 29TH
MARCH 1921
Information current to November 2000
Sources:
The Inglis Collection in Australian War Memorial, AWM PR 00944 435 6/29
Record, Burra, 26 March 1957