The historic building on the corner of Largs Avenue and High Street carries the name Largs School of Arts.
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But to one family it will always be known as Nan’s Hall.
That’s because of the tireless work of Nan, former management committee member Pam Stocker, who passed away on March 31 at the age of 73.
Mrs Stocker had been the school of arts secretary for 36 years and booking officer right up until 10 days before was taken to hospital.
She had followed a family tradition, a link with the running of the hall that dates back to a great-grandmother, followed by her father Basil who had been an executive member for 18 years before her.
Mrs Stocker’s husband Eric has also had a long association as a member of the committee and former vice-president.
But Mrs Stocker’s association with Largs School of Arts was more than taking notes, writing letters and arranging times and dates. Let’s call it for what it was – a passion.
Everything had to be just right, from real tablecloths (made and washed by herself) and real flowers on the table, real cutlery, real plates, right up to comfortable seats.
And don’t forget the decorations.
After any event it was time to wash the dishes and sweep the floors. Maintenance and upkeep were essential.
And all voluntary work.
Most people would be unaware that Largs School of Arts is not run by the council but is maintained by the community for the community through a hard-working management committee made up of local residents.
It all began the 1870s. The local community bought the land and paid for construction.
It has stood since 1878.
Mrs Stocker was not alone in her endeavours. She was part of a band of volunteer workers on the management committee that has kept the hall in perfect working order for many decades.
The hall has always been used most days of the week and Mrs Stocker would often be there to make sure everything was kept in order – hence the name Nan’s Hall, because her grandchildren knew that was the place to find her if she wasn’t home.
And being the booking clerk was not all a bed of roses.
Quite often Mrs Stocker had to take phone calls from irate residents, sometimes about noise, others about parking and people who just liked to complain, while chasing unpaid bills.
But her patience, hard work and dedication to detail were recognised in 2002 when she was made a life member.
Mrs Stocker played a vital role in the continued improvements to the hall over the years.
She joined the committee, as secretary, in July 1977, shortly after the organisation received a federal government grant for a side extension.
Other additions since then include the toilet block, upgraded kitchen, new floor and major paint work.
But Mrs Stocker’s commitment to the hall didn’t spring from a sense of family duty to follow in her father’s footsteps, although that would always have been in the back of her mind.
Instead, it came in 1977 shortly after the opening of the extension.
Mrs Stocker attended the opening and was surprised to see that only a few people were willing to take responsibility for the upkeep of the hall.
After she and Eric were nominated in the 2008 Australia Day Citizen of the Year in Maitland, Mrs Stocker told the Maitland Mercury: “We [she and Eric] went to the opening of the extensions and there really weren’t many people there. ... I thought we should do something and get involved. A few of our friends joined us and they are still involved as well.”
After taking up the job of secretary, she recognised immediately the importance of the hall and its role in the community.
The first thing she noted was the lack of activities for young people in the area.
And thus began the once a month local disco. It became so popular that the kids came from everywhere and it was standing room only.
This was followed by a series of activities that has kept the community entertained and also making money for needed repairs and upgrades.
The activities have changed over the years, but the constant use of the hall remains.
In the early days there were regular auction sales, old-time dancing, wedding receptions and trivia nights.
Perhaps one of the most popular and longest-running activities was the Largs School of Arts Youth Group, organised, trained, encouraged and taught by popular resident Joy Sharpe.
This youth group promoted the school of arts name far and wide.
The group held variety and comedy concerts and helped raise money for Mai-Wel, also making regular appearances on NBN Television’s Big Dog and Friends Show.
Young people throughout Largs and Bolwarra learned new skills, athletic ability and the confidence to go before big audiences.
If you passed by the hall today you would most likely hear a local band practising or it might be boot camp day for those wanting to get fit.
Perhaps it will be the day for the children’s play group, or line-dancing, thai-chi, patchwork quilting, dancing lessons or the regular friendship club meeting.
Mrs Stocker always had a close connection with her community.
The eldest child of Basil and Joan Pryke, she lived in Dalveen Road all her life – from her parents’ farm at one end to her home with Eric at the other.
Her relatives are among some of the most well-known names in Largs farming community, from the Prykes to the Meads.
Mrs Stocker is survived by husband Eric, daughters Marianne, Alison and Katrina and eight grandchildren.