CENTENARY celebrations will be held for the iconic Yahl Memorial Hall last weekend, with organisers expecting four generations of residents to attend the 100th birthday.
Hall committee members will bring the community at an event last Sunday afternoon to mark the milestone.
A range of classic activities including an egg and spoon race and tug-of-war will be on offer for participants, as well as contemporary attractions such as a bouncing castle.
Yahl Memorial Hall treasurer Kylie Boston said the event aimed to bring the community together and celebrate 100 years since the hall was built.
“It is a chance for everyone in the community to come and catch up with old friends or neighbours who we may not get a chance to see very often,” Ms Boston said.
“We will be dropping a time capsule behind the original foundation stone for future generations with past and current events in it.”
On December 10, 1919, Mr W.H. Kennedy laid the foundation stone, dedicated to local soldiers who died in World War I in front of a crowd of more than 100 people.
The Yahl School band of 25 young players performed the National Anthem.
The iconic day finished with visitors bowing their heads in a mark of respect to the memory of “those men who died in the war that we might live”.
The hall now commemorates those fallen during World War I and II and features photographs of those who perished in the conflicts.
Ms Boston said the hall was used by Yahl Primary School as part of its history program.
“It was built for the community but they also wished to use it as a memorial for the soldiers,” Ms Boston said.
“It is important for us to keep this facility as best we can so we can keep the memorial going.
“It is also an important part of our history.”
Ms Boston said the hall was still used regularly, with a major event held each year.
“It is a great time for everyone around here to come and catch up and we really want to maintain the small community environment,” she said.
Committee member Kerry Ruwoldt expected a large crowd for the weekened event.
“There will be entertainment for the children and Father Christmas is planned to come along,” Ms Ruwoldt said.
“We are asking that those who do attend bring their own chair and a salad to share as well because we wanted to keep the cost down as much as possible.
“There will be a children’s colouring competition which will be on display too with a local couple judging them.”
The anniversary event will start at 4pm.
