One of Mount Gambier’s prominent buildings is set to be restored to its former glory after several years of sitting empty.
Moorak farmers Karen Bracken and husband Dale Barnard have been revealed as the new owners of the old Caledonian Hall, and said they could not believe their luck to now own the historic Penola Road premises.
The building was previously home to Shadows Nightclub, which closed its doors in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck Australia.
Fortuitously, a call from Brisbane alerted Ms Bracken and Mr Barnard to the closure of the nightclub, which sparked their curiosity and led to them purchasing the building.
“As soon as we saw it, we knew it was for us,” Ms Bracken said.
The Caledonian Hall has many classic features, with Ms Bracken and Mr Barnard eager to restore the building to its former glory.
“Its old-style architecture with its welcoming entrance and beautiful stained-glass windows has caught our imagination,” Ms Bracken said.
“It is our intention to restore and preserve it from any further corruption of its former beauty.”
In June 1913, Australian pastoralist and politician George Riddoch unveiled the foundation stone of the Caledonian Hall, which was officially opened in 1914 by former Prime Minister Sir George Reid.
The building signifies the Scottish links of many Mount Gambier residents and has hosted Scotsmen grand balls along with a spare parts business, general exhibitions, and community radio.
Internationally renowned Australian pianist Percy Grainger also performed a concert in the hall in 1935.
Having lived away from Mount Gambier for the past 50 years, Ms Bracken said owning the hall made sense as she settled back into the community she grew up in with an emphasis on her Scottish heritage.
“I cannot remember ever having been in the building before, however it seems to feel familiar,” she said.
“My sister was a Caledonian debutante in 1963.
“Given that it has seen several owners since its sale by the Caledonians in 1939 due to it being so solidly built, it’s not surprising it’s in such good condition.
“We love being its latest custodians and cannot wait to make it available for the community to continue to enjoy.”
The couple recently held an opening, where guests enjoyed a sparkling wine served at a happy hour tour of the building.
“We announced the anniversary of the occasion of settlement, on that day, May 16, 2023, would from then on honour the birthday of a close friend of mine, and the victim of a tragic accident, and be known as the Gary Thomas Fartch Memorial Day,” Ms Bracken said.
