Photo by Pam Baragwanath (copyright).

Name: Amphitheatre Public Hall

Address:      Pyrenees Highway, Amphitheatre

Institute established: 1901

Date of Present Building: 1901 

Building succession number: 1: Supper room was added in the 1930s

Social History: Mr. A. H. Barry, Head Teacher at the local school from 1900-1910, was the instigator of the Mechanics’ Institute by promoting the establishment of a library. The hall was built in 1901 by the contractor Mr Witley for 179 pounds and provided local entertainment in the form of performances on the stage, dances, parties, weddings, fairs, films, concerts and social occasions including funeral wakes, which were catered for by the ladies committee. It was also used as a Police Communications Centre when prisoners escaped in the local area, a music hall, a polling booth and an Infant Welfare Centre as well as for trivia nights, debutante balls, cabarets, discos, cards, musical afternoons, dancing lessons, table tennis, gymnastics, church services, , "Back-To" celebrations, parties and dinners. The Honour Board and Premiership area are proudly displayed. The supper room, which formerly had a copper and one sink with cold water was eventually upgraded by voluntary labour, new toilets were installed to replace the “tippy-tin” toilets. Most of the original library books are still in a cupboard in the hall. The committee are justifiably proud of the hall, its heritage and the part it plays as the “focus of our community”.

References:  Ennis, Joan.  Amphitheatre Hall committee. Oulton,  Margaret.  A Valley of the finest description.

Note: for further information see:

Mechanics' Institutes Resource Centre (MIRC)  List of holdings 

and  Prahran Mechanics' Institute Library catalogue www.pmi.net.au