Photos of the hall and organ restoration work in progress
The Tanunda Liedertafel with the Hill & Son Grand Organ
Brief History
Hill & Son of London stood for perfection in organ design and workmanship that brought them to the forefront of their art in the 19th century. William Hill died on 18 December 1870, the firm passing to his son Thomas. The above organ, formerly in the Adelaide Town Hall, was ordered in 1875 and completed in 1877. It therefore represents one of the largest instruments produced under his supervision.
In 1970 the organ was rebuilt, an action that was not regarded as a success. It was dismantled and placed in storage prior to the installation of the J W Walker organ in 1990.
The SA Committee was aware of the conditions of sale of the organ, and maintained a watching brief from its dismantling. As no sale eventuated, and the future of the instrument was seen to be in jeopardy, OHTA formally registered their interest in the instrument in February 1994. The major obstacle to acquisition was the need to find a location for the organ, preferably in South Australia.
Discussions were held with various parties in the Barossa Valley. In October the District Council of Tanunda indicated it was prepared to accept, in principle, the placement of the Organ in the Soldiers Memorial Hall subject to various guarantees. As a consequence, a formal approach was made to the Adelaide City Council to acquire the organ and ownership was relinquished to OHTA on 21 March 1995.
Temporary storage was found on the property of Mr. George Lucey in the Adelaide Hills. Over the next two years the organ was laid out and the original tonal structure determined by placing the pipes in their racks above the chests. The process of fundraising and nature of the restoration were thoroughly canvassed at this time.
In 1997 a feasibility study was planned involving the partial erection of the instrument. An open day was held in Tanunda on Sunday 14 September to allow the people of the Barossa Valley to view the organ and express their opinions. As a result, on January 14 1998, the Soldier’s Memorial Hall Committee gave its approval for the OHTA to proceed with the proposal to place the Hill & Son organ in Tanunda.
The owner of Chateau Tanunda offered storage so, after three years in the Adelaide Hills, the organ was moved to the Barossa Valley. From this point a number of things were put in train. Cost estimates were devised; Appeal brochures developed; tax deductibility sought, and fund raising began. In March 2000 the Friends of the Hill & Son Grand Organ were formed. This group have not only organized events to raise funds for the project but have stripped all paintwork from façade pipes, casework and swell box, checked and corrected any faults in the woodwork and reerected the casework in the Hall. The Friends have created a community around the instrument to support and ensure its promotion and use in the future. Professional help has diapered some of the facade pipes and completed the faux graining of the case.
Current Situation
The project is entering its final and most expensive phases. The case is erected and may be viewed on the Stage of the Tanunda Soldiers Memorial Hall. The framework has been erected in the factory of George Stephens. Extensive research has been done as to the nature of parts to be reconstructed, especially the wind system and Barker lever, which were previously discarded. It now remains to order materials and complete the task, expected to take a further twelve months. As to the Hall, arrangements have been made to renovate the Stage area with repair to the walls and installation of a new roof. Consideration has been given to new lighting arrangements.
Further information may be obtained from the South Australian Committee
David Shield
June 2003
