The hub of the social scene in any small town was always the local hall. The first dance at Burren Junction was held in July, 1905 reported that “A grand ball, organised by the School of Arts Committee, was held in the Namoi Valley School and Railway Refreshment Room at Burren Junction. Mr Saunders of Wee Waa was responsible for the music at the first hall in Burren Junction. There was an impressive attendance, and the privilege of taking part in this social event was enjoyed by a large number of the inhabitants of the Junction and surrounding districts. The proceeds went towards the building of the new R.C. Church and was held in the railway refreshment room. From a social and financial standpoint the event was a success. (1)
The first hall was obviously erected by voluntary labour, and as was usually the case, mostly by public donations, as a newspaper article from October 1904 stated, “Hall at Burren Junction for some time. The people out that way should endeavour to erect one, and the Government has been informed that a public hall has been in course of erection for some time. The people out that way should endeavour to erect one, and the Government has been informed that a public hall has been in course of erection for some time. The people out that way should endeavour to erect one, and the Government has been informed that a public hall has been in course of erection for some time. The people out that way should endeavour to erect one, and the Government has been informed that a public hall has been in course of erection for some time.” (2)
The first hall was located at the eastern end of the corner of Alma and Corunna Streets in the vicinity of the present residence belonging to Ken and Hazel McNabb.
According to records supplied by Mrs Katie Keyes, her father Harry Jones was mentioned as one of the main supporters of the hall build. She also recalled that her mother created a local “Bosker” a white horse “housed to follow her to the dances up at the old hall.”
Mrs Hilda Boland (nee Slack-Smith) recalls travelling to the balls in a horse and sulky or buggy, dancing until dawn and returning home at the first sign of daylight. Sometimes the young people of the district travelled to balls at the neighbouring towns such as Come-by-Chance, Rowena and Boomi. (4)
Over the years the hall has continued to be the focal point of the social life of Burren Junction. In past years there was the usual round of balls: Church of England, Catholic, School of Arts, C.W.A. and the main event of the year, the Tennis Club Ball, as well as socials and juveniles. The hall has been used regularly for school concerts, bazaars, as a venue for travelling shows and meetings for various organisations. When the Church of England building was destroyed in 1941, it was used for a few years as a venue to hold Church services. (6)
In the early days Mrs Sydney Harris and Mrs Henry Harris are two pianists who used to provide the music for the local dances. Some other musicians are two pianists who used to provide the music for the local dances. Some other musicians include Lorna Lance, The Shearers and Tom Holcombe. Dances are remembered during the 1930’s are famous White Rose Orchestra attended most of the Burren town halls.
In 1928, highly in preparation for the evening’s entertainment hall was always decorated lavishly in C.W.A. donated a stove to the School of Arts. (7) and for a number of years the hall has been maintained by a stalwart group of citizens, prominent members being Julian Church and Dick Garvey who worked towards getting the supper room built while Frank Holcombe held the office of President of the School of Arts for a number of years.
The hall is still the venue for School concerts, Youth Club meetings, the annual Flower Show, balls and dances. Two balls held in 1988 are the “Crick Club Ball” and the “Centenary fund-raising ball and dinner” which will be remembered back in time with the history of the old time Supper Dance for the Bicentenary celebrations.
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