Shire president Cr Bill McMaster and Cr Jeune Matthews unveiled the plaque to mark the official opening of the hall. A FIRE in 1984 destroyed the Garfield Community Centre, but three years later a large crowd gathered to celebrate the opening of a new one at Garfield Recreation Reserve.
The Gazette reported the event in its 1 April edition that year.
“It is hoped this new facility will provide the means of furthering social contacts and interaction within the Garfield community,” Pakenham Shire president Bill McMaster said as he and Cr Jeune Matthews unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening.
“The committee will face the challenge of maintaining and improving the community centre so that it may serve the needs of the district for many years to come.”
The new centre opened precisely 50 years after the original Garfield public hall was destroyed by severe bushfires.
That hall’s replacement was damaged in September 1983, then totally destroyed by fire on 2 February 1984.
The hall and recreation reserve committee shared the management of the centre, and this group included representatives from the council, the public, and the sports organisations who used the reserve.
Occupants of the new centre included the council’s infant welfare centre, Garfield senior citizens, footballers exercise groups, a junior disco, and individuals holding weddings and other functions.
The full project cost $352,000.
Funding came from the Andrews Foundation, the council, Garfield seniors, insurance claims, and sale of the old hall site.
