November is shaping up to be a busy month in the Huon Valley, and this year, Ranelagh will have something extra special to mark on the calendar.
On Sunday, November 10, the day before Remembrance Day, the Ranelagh Soldiers Memorial Hall will celebrate its centenary, offering a chance for locals and visitors alike to reflect on the rich history of this beloved community landmark.
First opened in May 1924, the Hall has been a hub of activity for Ranelagh residents for a century.
Over the years, it has hosted everything from community markets and movie screenings to annual reunions of returned soldiers, complete with cricket matches and dinners. Today, the Hall continues to be a venue for diverse social activities, including dance groups, chess tournaments, and a wide variety of local events.
But the story of Ranelagh's hall stretches back even further.
Before the current Memorial Hall, there stood the original Ranelagh Public Hall, built in 1902.
This earlier building provided the community with regular social events, including a highly anticipated annual fruit, flower, and vegetable show.
In 1916, a Roll of Honour board was installed to commemorate the local soldiers who enlisted in World War I.
Sadly, this board was lost when the original hall was destroyed by fire in 1919.
What followed was a display of the spirit of the Ranelagh community.
Determined to rebuild, 39 local families banded together to raise funds for a new hall. Not only did they succeed in constructing a debt-free building, but they also used profits from the Hall's activities to assist families in need.
During World War II, the Hall served as a centre for Red Cross-organised packages and hosted children's concerts and fundraising efforts.
The opening of the new Ranelagh Soldiers Memorial Hall in 1924 was an event of enormous significance, drawing over 1000 people from across the district.
Now, 100 years later, the Hall committee is inviting the public to join in the celebrations on Sunday, November 10, from 10am to 2pm.
Whether you're a long-time local or a visitor to the Huon Valley, this celebration offers a unique opportunity to pay tribute to Ranelagh's rich history and the generations of residents who have kept the spirit of the Hall alive.
