A space for community, industry, events and the arts since 1911
The Historic
Bangalow A & I Hall
First established in 1911, the Bangalow Hall was originally used as the centre point for the annual Agriculture & Industrial Show. The hall was also used for picture shows, debutante balls, community gatherings and, in wartime, for soldier's farewells and welcome home concerts.
The hall is located on a Crown Land reserve, gazetted for public recreation usage on 22 August 1947. Byron Shire Council was appointed as the hall’s Trustee later the same year and continues to manage the Hall today, through a community-based committee.
Over the 100+ years, the iconic hall has seen various other incarnations including a venue for dances, skating, weddings, markets, flower shows, and even an emergency hospital during the 1919 flu epidemic, plus a host of other activities.
The hall has had both an illustrious and precarious past. It almost fell into complete disuse in the latter part of the 20th century and its demolition was imminent. Then, thankfully, in 1991 the process began of revitalising the building to her former glory. After a lot of hard work, the hall restoration was finally completed and the venue was officially re-opened on the 11th June 1994.
Since the refurbishment the hall has been kept in good repair and the décor maintained to a high standard. Today the Hall is a wonderful combination of classical elegance and modern amenities.
Bangalow
Bangalow is a small village town in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia in Byron Shire. The town's name appears to have been derived from an Aboriginal word, "Bangalla", said to mean 'a low hill' or 'a kind of palm tree'.
Bangalow's historic streetscape, monthly market and proximity to the popular tourist resort of Byron Bay has increased its appeal as a tourist destination. Timber cutters established a camp on the banks of Byron Creek in the 1840s but it was not until the 1880s that a town appeared on the site. The town was known as Bangaloe until 1907, when the modern spelling came into use.
Bangalow Public School was first built in 1884. In 1925, a 4 classroom brick building block was made. The Bangalow Uniting Church was rebuilt in the early 1900s after a tornado blew down the original (Methodist) church. The church congregation is still active.
