THE 150th anniversary of what is believed to be the South East’s oldest institute hall will be celebrated at a special event in Robe on February 16.
Organised by the Robe Local History Group, the Nostalgia Night coincides with the official opening of the Robe Institute building in 1869.
“This much-loved building stands at the heart of the community, both physically and symbolically,” history group convenor Liz Harfull said.
“It has played a central role in the town’s life from the time it opened and our event will give people a chance to share their memories and learn more about its fascinating history.”
According to newspaper reports of the day, the Robe Institute was the first hall opened in the South East as part of the Mechanics Institute movement, a concept that started in Scotland in the late 1700s to provide educational opportunities to the working classes.
The hall has also hosted countless community dances, concerts and dinners, from debutante balls to end-of-year school concerts, football club and fishing industry dinners, as well as private family celebrations such as birthdays and weddings.
It was the regular meeting place of local organisations such as the Country Women’s Association and the Oddfellows Lodge, which met for decades in a room that now houses the Lapwing Gallery.
“The building has also witnessed the impact of events in the wider world on the local community,”Ms Harfull said.
“For example, during World War I local men and women who enlisted or served as nurses overseas were farewelled from the hall and then welcomed home again.”
The history group is keen to hear from anyone who has photographs, memorabilia or stories to share relating to the Institute, events held there or groups that met there regularly.
A selection of the images provided will be projected up on to a large screen during the event, together with photographs from the history collection at the Robe Library and images gathered from private and public collections by Ms Harfull while researching her book, Almost an Island: the story of Robe.
A pop-up museum is also planned for the event, displaying rarely seen items from the collection and others that people bring on the night.
The history group hopes people come forward with items such as programs, tickets and posters for events held at the Institute, costumes or dresses worn for performances or occasions such as debutante balls and items such medals or certificates presented to people during events at the hall.
Tickets for the event, which starts at 7.30pm, will be available at the door or in advance from the Robe Library and Visitor Information Centre.
Contact Liz Harfull on 0409 674 941 or lizharfull@internode.on.net to contribute information, photographs and memorabilia.
