Centenary celebrations this Saturday

Bushy Park's Upper Derwent United Hall around 1915.

HISTORICAL displays, market stalls, a sausage sizzle and period-dress performances will be among the attractions at the Bushy Park Hall's centenary celebration this Saturday from 10am.

Officially the Upper Derwent United Hall, the building was erected in 1911 on land donated by Vincent Shoobridge. A landmark in the local community, the hall has served many purposes over the years. Today it hosts a community market and is home to the Upper Derwent Anglers as well as the Oddfellows Lodge. 

The market is open daily, providing an outlet for community members to sell their goods and contributing to the cost of maintaining the hall. Turnover in the last year exceeded $70,000, returning $12,000 to the hall funds through commissions and donations.  This income made possible the recent significant electrical upgrade to the entire building.

One of the rooms in the hall has been allocated for a display of depicting historic photos, artefacts and video footage of the district and its hop-growing industry.

The hall will be open from 10am for the centenary celebration this Saturday, August 27. The Upper Derwent Anglers' Club will have a sausage sizzle and the International Order of Oddfellows will celebrate its 100 years occupancy with a rare open day and display of ceremonial regalia. An official welcome will be given at 1pm.