NIMMITABEL SCHOOL OF ARTS
(NOW KNOWN AS PIONEERS MEMORIAL HALL) 
A Brief History Compiled by Harley Ingram

The original building was erected in the early pioneering days of the Nineteen Hundreds.

First details on hand are that the building was erected and completed for functions in May 1901

The original tender price was for 440 pounds by Hugh McDonald. The opening Ball was held on 24 May 1901, the music being supplied by the Cooma Brass Band. From this date no records are available until the early 1930’s, when an old minute book on hand, names Mr Reg Jardine as President. The committee were C Mooney, CE Burke, W Clear, A Poole, P Reed and CH Pilley. Since that time various other Presidents have presided, namely Andrew Poole, Jack Shelley (from 1942-1944) ER (Bob) Adams (1944-1948) Frank Burke (1948-1950). Secretaries for this period were Cohen McKeachie, Normy Poole, Mick Holmes and Jack Tindall.

In the late 40’s the financial position and attendance at meetings was so grave that at a meeting on 10 December 1946 a motion was moved and carried that the Hall be closed from 13 December 1946, and if 10 people didn’t inform the President JB Shelley in writing that they wished a meeting be called, the committee had to hand the keys to the Trustees.

A special meeting was convened on 17 January 1947, some 37 persons attending. The meeting is recorded in Minute Book 2 in a bad state of repair. From this time on fairly comprehensive minutes were kept until at a meeting in August 1949, the Secretary was authorised to purchase new books for the Business of Hall Meetings etc.

Since that meeting I have been directly connected with the Hall having being the Secretary for the period.

Many changes have taken place since then, the picture plant that was installed in the late 40’s was purchased by the Hall committee for 850 pounds ($1700), and run by volunteers from 1953 until the Hall rebuilding in 1964.

Warner Bros used the Hall for costume storage during the filming of  “The Sundowners” in 1960.

After the Hall was rebuilt in 1964, films were again shown until the price of films and suitable films were both non-compatible for Junior Audiences.

When the re-building was decided in 1963, various money-raising ventures were organised – Field days, Street carnivals, Queen competition, Ugly Man competition, and any means whatever to raise funds. Money raised by this means was far short of requirements. Some critics thought that it could never be financed for the tendered sum of 15870 pounds 11 and six ($31741.15)  with the final cost being 19735 pounds 6 and 2 ($39470.60)

Monaro Shire organised a loan, and prominent citizens guaranteed a further loan through the Commercial Bank. All the work was paid for and the loans and guarantors completed before the Shire Amalgamation in 1984.

AC Ingram (Hon secretary from 1949 until 1995)

NB The number of people who guaranteed finance for the loan was 20, and the amount was 300 pounds each, these funds were never called on.

Of interest AC (Harley) Ingram passed away in August 1999, aged 80 years

PS: Later research showed that William Jardine was presented with a large photograph of himself in 1903 acknowledging his efforts towards the beginning of the School of  Arts (Pioneers Memorial Hall)

A framed Honour Board with photographs acknowledging 15 years service by President JJ Jardine, Secretary OE Silk, and Treasurer MT Morton  (probably the first executives) The inscription reads “Honorary Life Members. Any persons who have rendered valuable service to the institution or who is eminent for his attainments in literature, science, or art, may have upon the recommendation of the committee be elected an Honorary Llife Member by any general meeting of members. The names of such members shall be posted in the Reading Room”