A deputation consisting of Messrs M'Ilwain, Mitchell, and Miller waited on the council. Mr M'Ilwain said that they wished to see if the council would give them some assistance towards putting up a Mechanics at Clydebank, as they wanted some place for recreative purposes and to hold meetings in. They had thought that they would have been able to build it themselves, but found that they were unable to do so, as times were so bad, and then, thought that they might get a little assistance from the council.
The President: Monetary assistance? Mr M'Ilwain: Yes. Cr Latham: Where do you think of erecting it? Mr M'Ilwain: Near the schoolhouse. The President: Have you no other Mechanics? Mr Mitchell: There are a number of young people there, and they have no place to go to except Sale.
Mr M'Ilwain: I do not come to ask for £10 and take £5, but have come to ask for what I think the council can afford to give - £50. Cr Latham said that he had been president when the Stratford Mechanics had applied for £100 or £200, and they were granted £20, and it was then agreed that any other portion of the Avon Shire erecting a Mechanics' should have a donation of the same amount. The Heart people had received that amount, and it was held in trust until they commenced to build, and was bearing interest, and they were going to build shortly, and there was an expression given then that when the Stratford Mechanics was given £20 any other portion of the shire building an institute was to receive one donation of a similar amount.
The President: I do not think that it is right to get money from the council and put it in the bank, unless they are going to build at once. Cr Latham: I think The Heart people ought make an effort with respect to it. Cr Killeen said that he had made some remarks at a recent meeting at The Heart, and he thought that they would bear fruit.
The Secretary then said that the Dargo Mechanics had received £5, The Heart £20, in December, 1889; Stratford £20, in November, 1887, and a second donation of £10 in December, 1889. Cr. Killeen: When The Heart people got the £20 it was said that the Stratford Mechanics had received £75 altogether. The Secretary: It was only £30. The President: We have placed the limit at £20 and cannot exceed it, and Mr M'Ilwain says that be does not come to ask for £10 and get £5, but if he asks for £50 he cannot expect to get that. I would be happy to support a motion that they get £20, but we cannot, give any larger sum.
Mr M'Ilwain said that the reason that made him ask for £50, was that in consequence of the Clydebank creamery having been erected the council would not now have to spend money on roads that had hitherto been used. He would be thankful for the £20 to-day, and the council might put it on the minutes that they would allow them another £20 next year in consequence of not having to spend money on the roads that he had referred to. The President: The council cannot bind their successors.
Mr M'Ilwain : Can I apply next year? The President: Oh! yes; but I cannot say what answer you will get. Cr Crockett: I wish that this application had come in at an earlier date, as I think that the east riding will be in a curious position as regards paying their share, as they have so little placed on their estimates for contingencies. The east riding estimates are fixed, but personally I am in favour of it. Cr Thomson moved, and Cr Killeen seconded, that £20 be given towards building a Mechanics at Clydebank. The motion was carried unanimously.
The President: I would suggest that the money be not drawn until it is wanted, as I do not think it is right to do so. Cr Killeen: I think they should get the cheque before they go away. Mr Mitchell said that the council had behaved very well to them, as that was the limit they had set on granting in such cases. Several councillors suggested that if The Heart people did not soon erect their Mechanics that the £20 granted to them for that purpose should be given to the Clydebank people. Cr Latham said that Cr Killeen should take what had been said to heart, and The Heart people should make a commencement. They had been in possession of this money since 1889, and had done nothing yet. The President said that he was of the same opinion as Cr Latham.
Mr M'Ilwain: I would be thankful if you gave me the cheque to-day to show the people down there. The President: You will get it all right. Have you a properly constituted committee, secretary and treasurer? Mr M'Ilwain said that they had not appointed any yet. The President: We cannot hand it over till you have properly constituted officers. Cr Thomson: Show them the resolution in the paper. The deputation then withdrew. (1)
Mr M'Ilwain: I do not come to ask for £10 and take £5, but have come to ask for what I think the council can afford to give - £50. Cr Latham said that he had been president when the Stratford Mechanics had applied for £100 or £200, and they were granted £20, and it was then agreed that any other portion of the Avon Shire erecting a Mechanics' should have a donation of the same amount. The Heart people had received that amount, and it was held in trust until they commenced to build, and was bearing interest, and they were going to build shortly, and there was an expression given then that when the Stratford Mechanics was given £20 any other portion of the shire building an institute was to receive one donation of a similar amount.
The President: I do not think that it is right to get money from the council and put it in the bank, unless they are going to build at once. Cr Latham: I think The Heart people ought make an effort with respect to it. Cr Killeen said that he had made some remarks at a recent meeting at The Heart, and he thought that they would bear fruit.
The Secretary then said that the Dargo Mechanics had received £5, The Heart £20, in December, 1889; Stratford £20, in November, 1887, and a second donation of £10 in December, 1889. Cr. Killeen: When The Heart people got the £20 it was said that the Stratford Mechanics had received £75 altogether. The Secretary: It was only £30. The President: We have placed the limit at £20 and cannot exceed it, and Mr M'Ilwain says that be does not come to ask for £10 and get £5, but if he asks for £50 he cannot expect to get that. I would be happy to support a motion that they get £20, but we cannot, give any larger sum.
Mr M'Ilwain said that the reason that made him ask for £50, was that in consequence of the Clydebank creamery having been erected the council would not now have to spend money on roads that had hitherto been used. He would be thankful for the £20 to-day, and the council might put it on the minutes that they would allow them another £20 next year in consequence of not having to spend money on the roads that he had referred to. The President: The council cannot bind their successors.
Mr M'Ilwain : Can I apply next year? The President: Oh! yes; but I cannot say what answer you will get. Cr Crockett: I wish that this application had come in at an earlier date, as I think that the east riding will be in a curious position as regards paying their share, as they have so little placed on their estimates for contingencies. The east riding estimates are fixed, but personally I am in favour of it. Cr Thomson moved, and Cr Killeen seconded, that £20 be given towards building a Mechanics at Clydebank. The motion was carried unanimously.
The President: I would suggest that the money be not drawn until it is wanted, as I do not think it is right to do so. Cr Killeen: I think they should get the cheque before they go away. Mr Mitchell said that the council had behaved very well to them, as that was the limit they had set on granting in such cases. Several councillors suggested that if The Heart people did not soon erect their Mechanics that the £20 granted to them for that purpose should be given to the Clydebank people. Cr Latham said that Cr Killeen should take what had been said to heart, and The Heart people should make a commencement. They had been in possession of this money since 1889, and had done nothing yet. The President said that he was of the same opinion as Cr Latham.
Mr M'Ilwain: I would be thankful if you gave me the cheque to-day to show the people down there. The President: You will get it all right. Have you a properly constituted committee, secretary and treasurer? Mr M'Ilwain said that they had not appointed any yet. The President: We cannot hand it over till you have properly constituted officers. Cr Thomson: Show them the resolution in the paper. The deputation then withdrew. (1)
That seemed like a good result for the people of Clydebank and in March 1894 a public meeting was held at Clydebank to discuss the erection of a Mechanics' Institute. (2) The meeting was held at Mr Rouse's Residence, this was my great-grandfather, James Rouse (3).
Public meeting for a Mechanics' Institute at Clydebank
Gippsland Mercury, March 22 1894 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/268337832
From 1905 the community raised money for the Hall with raffles, dances, euchre tournaments and donations. (7). In February 1906 tenders were invited for the erection of the Clydebank Hall by the architect, G.H. Cain. This was for labour only, the committee having already acquired the timber, based on Mr Cain's calculations, from Mr Treloar, £69/12/6. The builder of the hall was C. Poole, whose tender price was £20. (8)
Tenders invited for the erection of the Clydebank Hall
Gippsland Times February 15, 1906 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65326899
The Architect, George Henry Cain, born in 1870 and was based in Sale. In 1895 he took over the business of of the late Mr J. H. W. Pettit of Sale, having worked with him for the previous four years. G.H. Cain designed many buildings in Sale, was the Architect for the Anglican Diocese of Sale and thus designed many Gippsland Churches. In 1904 he also designed the additions and alterations to the Cowwarr Mechanics' Institute. In the 1880s his father, George Cain had been the President of the Sale Mechanics' Institute. (9)
The Clydebank Hall was opened by June 1906, but I don't have an exact date. As you might expect the usual range of activities took place - dances, concerts and public meetings. In October 1908 Dr Cherry gave a lecture on Fodder Plants and Lucerne Growing under the under the auspices Clydebank Mutual Improvement Society and the North Gippsland Agricultural Society. Other functions included a Maypole Fair to raise money for the Anglican Church building and a concert for the Methodist Church. (10)
Dr Cherry's lecture
Gippsland Times October 12, 1908 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65263771
During World War One events included a Belgium Relief Fund concert and other patriotic concerts; recruiting meetings and farewells to local soldiers Robert Miller, Willie Jenkins and Johnnie McFadden and at a later function, Trooper Hagan, and Privates White, Scott, H. Sanders, W. Sanders, Wilson and Pickup. (11) In April 1918 a welcome home was held for Lieutenant T.J. Adlard. (12)
In April 1921 the Gippsland Times reported on this interesting function -
In the Clydebank Hall on Saturday afternoon the ceremony of handing over the machine gun allotted Clydebank as its war trophy eventuated in the presence of a large assemblage, both young and old. The machine gun has been placed under the honour roll in the hall, on which was placed a floral wreath in commemoration of Anzac Day, and in memory of the local soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice. Cr. Chinn, who presided (in the unavoidable absence of the President of the Shire), intimated that the trustees appointed by the shire to take care of the gun were Messrs. Johnson Thomson (father of two soldiers), Arnold Hagan (a returned soldier), and himself. He pointed out that the trophy would serve to remind the people of the part played by the people of the district in the war. (13)
In November 1936 the Gippsland Times noted in a report from of an Avon Shire Council meeting that correspondence had been received From Public Health Department, stating that the plans and specifications for alterations and additions to Clydebank Mechanics' Institute had been approved of. Tenders were called that same month, but as reported in March 1937 -
Clydebank - Public Hall Meeting - There was only a moderate attendance at the public meeting called by advertisement to consider matters effecting the public hall. It had been proposed that the hall be removed from its present location to another site about four miles towards Airly. The meeting after due consideration, decided that it would be as well to let the hall remain where it is. A short while ago tenders were called for enlargement but only one tender was received and that was considered to be too high. (14)
In May 1937 another interesting meeting was held at the Hall -
Farmers and residents at Clydebank and The Heart showed their oil-mindedness by attending in force the meeting at the Clydebank hall on Wednesday evening last. A representative gathering included Mr J. Breheny, secretary of the Gippsland Oil League, Crs Harrison and Mawley (Avon Shire) and Ronchi (Sale), Mr W. Leslie and Mr J. W. McLachlan. ....Mr. Breheny in his opening remarks said that the rate-payers of The Heart and Clydebank district were anxious to have a scout bore put down in their locality. That oil was lying in this area was proved when its presence was seen in shallow bores sunk on Messrs. Jas. Murphy's and P. Collins properties. (15)
There was more discussion about the importance of oil, how much Australia imported and Federal government inaction in drilling for oil and the report continued -
Mr W. C. Leslie said that all oil-minded people should be very grateful for the work done by the
Gippsland Oil Propaganda League. Gippsland is the only place in Australia where crude oil has been found and 100,000 gallons have been obtained at Lakes Entrance.....The Chairman (Cr Harrison) said the Government was importing equipment which would bore to a depth of 3,000 feet. At the Lakes Entrance a good deal of money had been lost through faulty equipment. He hoped that private enterprise would commence operations in the Heart-Clydebank district. Mr W. J. Chinn (Clydebank) said the residents there believed oil was to be found in the locality. He urged that the Federal Government be approached for assistance. (16)
During World War Two the reports I could find of functions in the Hall were all of a patriotic nature. In July 1940 the Stratford War Service Fund Committee held a dance and euchre night. In January 1941 a farewell was held at the hall for Private Norman Fox, where he was presented with a brush and comb set and a wallet; a few months later in the June Pte. Reginald Nicholls and Gunner Campbell Thomson were each presented with a pen and pencil set from the Clydebank residents. In July 1942 the local school children held a concert to raise money for the State Schools' Patriotic Fund and at the same event the young ladies of Clydebank organised a stall which was so well stocked that along with several cash donations the sum of £12 16/ was raised - the money going to the Avon Shire Prisoner of War Fund. In November 1943 a euchre and dance night was held in aid of the State Schools' War Service Fund; in March 1944 euchre and dancing was once again held at the hall, this time in aid of the Prisoners of War Fund and a year later in March 1945 in aid of Red Shield and the Y.M.C.A. patriotic funds. (17)
In June 1947 it was reported that - the Clydebank hall on Wednesday night was the scene of a pleasant function when the certificates printed and framed by the Avon Shire Council were presented to Members of the fighting forces who enlisted from the Clydebank district. Certificates were presented to Messrs. Robin and Malcolm Cowie, Gordon Chinn, Jock Fulton, Tom Granger, Matt Harris, Gordon Hughes, Allan Murphy, Vincent Murphy, John Login, Eric Murphy, Reg Nicholls, Michael Purcell, Thomas Purcell, Lloyd Ross, Roy Smith, Campbell Thomson, Colin Thomson and David Thomson. (18)
On May 24, 1955 a wind-up meeting was held by the Clydebank Hall Committee and the balance of the funds were transferred to the Clydebank Airly Hall Committee. The Hall itself was also moved to Airly and is known as the Airly Clydebank Hall. (19). Airly, just to the west of Clydebank, was a Soldier Settlement community, purchased by the Closer Settlement Board in 1920 and sub-divided the next year. (20).
The Clydebank Hall, with additions, at Airly (and now known as the Airly Clydebank Hall) in 2019.
Acknowledgement - Thank you to Judith Dwyer, organiser of the Mechanics' Institutes Resource Centre scanning project, for access to the Clydebank Hall Committee minute book scans. The Clydebank entry in These Walls Speak Volumes: a history of Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria by Pam Baragwanath and Ken James (published by the authors in 2015) was a useful starting point for this post.
Trove list - I have created a list of articles on the Clydebank Mechanics' Institute, access it here
Footnotes
(1) Gippsland Mercury, November 9, 1893, see here.
(2) Gippsland Mercury, March 22 1894, see here.
(3) James Joseph Rouse (1862-1939) married Annie Glover of Clydebank in 1892. Mr Rouse could actually be his brother Robert Albert Rouse (1864-1943), who married Scena Catherin Hansen, also of Clydebank in 1897. James moved to Cora Lynn in 1903 and Robert to Oakleigh sometime after 1909 and before 1919. I am claiming it was James and Annie's house where the meeting was held, rather than the house of his then bachelor brother, Robert.
(4) Clydebank Hall Committee minutes have been digitised by Mechanics' Institutes Resource Centre scanning project.
(5) Electoral Rolls are on Ancestry.com
(6) Gippsland Times, May 11, 1908, see here.
(7) See my articles in my Clydebank Mechanics' Institute Trove list here.
(8) Tender advertisement Gippsland Times February 15, 1906, see here. Timber purchase from Mr Treloar - Clydebank Hall Committee minutes of November 7, 1905; C. Poole - building tender - Clydebank Hall Committee minutes of February 22, 1906.
(9) I have created a list of articles on the life and work of George Henry Cain, access it here.
(10) See my articles in my Clydebank Mechanics' Institute Trove list here.
(11) See my articles in my Clydebank Mechanics' Institute Trove list here.
(12) T.J. Adlard - I believe this is actually Lieutenant John Evan Adlard. Gippsland Mercury, April 16, 1918, see here.
(13) Gippsland Times, April 28, 1921, see here.
(14) Gippsland Times, November 12 1936, see here; Gippsland Times, November 26, 1936, see here; Gippsland Times, March 15, 1937, see here.
(15) Gippsland Times, May 3, 1937, see here.
(16) Ibid
(17) See my articles in my Clydebank Mechanics' Institute Trove list here.
(18) Gippsland Times, June 2, 1947, see here.
(19) Clydebank Hall Committee minutes of May 24, 1955.
(20) See my articles from 1920 and 1921 in my Clydebank Mechanics' Institute Trove list here.
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