Lochinvar School of Arts Hall trustees have launched a campaign to rejuvenate the building with a view to encourage more community interaction

“We really want to revive the hall so that it is used by the community,” new trustee Rebekah Somerville said.

“It’s got so much history and we want it to be something the community is proud of. It just saddens so many people the way it looks now.”

Built in 1892, the hall was once used for a range of community events including weddings and anniversaries while the nearby tennis courts were often filled with more than 80 people.

Two aged pillars, displaying the names of the 55 Lochinvar men who set off to fight for their country at the start of World War I, guard the hall.

By the time the conflict ended, eight of the men had been killed.

“I think today, probably more than ever, we need community halls,” long-time trustee John Carroll said.

“We used to gather at the hall to play cards, we had 84 tennis players, now there are none.”

While the hall is structurally sound, the trustees need help rejuvenating the exterior.

“We want to encourage activities but to do that we have to do something about the way the hall looks,” Ms Somerville said. 

The committee has also issued a call for more trustees.

“We need more people to help us liven up the hall again. People can volunteer their time or resources, whatever is needed.

“The hall is in a great location, the children love it here and it has such a great vibe.”

An information session will be held at the Lochinvar School of Arts Hall on Thursday, June 26, at 6.30pm. For more information phone Hunter Mobile Pre-School on 4934 6725 or John Carroll on 4930 7361.