By Lyn Skillern

THE magnificent Leongatha Memorial Hall remains a symbol of remembrance almost 100 years after its grand opening in May 1926.

Esteemed soldier, Brigadier General ‘Pompey’ Elliott officiated at the opening, the Memorial Hall having taken the place of Leongatha’s original Mechanics’ Hall and the neighbouring shire offices that were destroyed by fire in February 1924.

The loss of the two buildings that had been in place since the 1890s led to plans for the Memorial Hall and new shire offices to be built at that site.

In 1923, the Woorayl Shire Council had agreed to build a new hall and shire chambers provided the public contributed a third of the cost, but the intention then was to construct the new buildings on the corner of McCartin and Bruce Streets (St Peter’s site).

The Memorial Hall and Shire Offices were built between 1924 and 1926.

The walls were lined with murals depicting major battles from World War I.

The names of the Shire’s fallen on black marble honour rolls with the names of those who returned inscribed on white marble. These are in the stairwell.

A film was made of the grand opening and this will be shown next year at the celebrations of the Memorial Hall’s centenary.

Following World War II, the citizens of Woorayl Shire wanted to honour those who served in that conflict.

It was decided to build a much-needed hospital in Leongatha to remember the service of so many.

The current-day hospital recently paid tribute to its commemorative roots, adopting the name Leongatha Memorial Hospital and establishing a Memorial Walk honouring those who served abroad and those who carried out the work of care at home.

On Remembrance Day, you can honour our community’s service in war by reading the stories on the Leongatha Historical Society’s website or by visiting the Avenue of Honour Place of Reflection at the Leongatha Recreation Reserve.