The Eldorado Memorial Hall committee of management is set to receive a $4853 funding boost to support the hall’s upcoming 90th anniversary celebrations and commemorate its history.
The committee is one of 41 local community groups and not-for-profit organisations awarded a share of $166,000 in the Rural City of Wangaratta’s 2025–2026 Community Grants Program.
Committee secretary and hall bookings officer Cheryl Bell said she did all but cry when she heard their application had been successful.
“It's wonderful news and we feel very grateful to council that we can do this,” she said.
“This is about bringing people into the hall to have a good time, make happy memories, and create an emotional connection between the hall and our community."
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Cheryl said the funds will go towards booking a local band, Sweet Buzz, to perform at the anniversary event in April next year, as well as an interpretive board detailing the hall's history, including its heritage overlay status.
This event comes off the back of the committee and council's Grit and Resilience program team’s success hosting an Old School Night Out event last year which saw the Eldorado community recreate the old school vibe with a fun night of live music and dancing to the soundtrack of Sweet Buzz.
Cheryl highlighted the hall's community importance, emphasising its historical significance and ongoing role in bringing people together.
“This hall was built by the community who worked on the dredge...after a full day's work they would pack up and head here [to the hall] and work on the foundation," she said.
"It may look ordinary on the outside but it's a fabulous historic hall on the inside, it's very deceptive.
"Community events have been held here for so many years and I hope for that to continue long into the future."
Details on the anniversary event will be released closer to the date.
