Kentucky community says thanks for hall upgrade

A brand new kitchen is a good reason to celebrate and the Kentucky community turned out in force at a morning tea to thank the volunteers and funding bodies responsible for the upgrade of their local hall.
Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay said the project was typical of country communities with volunteers doubling the value of the state government’s $28,582 contribution.
“This is in every sense a local project,” he said. “The new fencing and notice board, marking the history of the district and the war record of local services personnel, were built by volunteers. Local builder Bill Lulham and fabricator Rick Tate built the new kitchen.
“It is a credit to the Kentucky Memorial Hall Committee Chairman Graham Smith, committee members and everyone involved.”
The MP said the Country Hall Renewal Scheme which allocated the major funding was an excellent program to ensure important local facilities were well maintained.
“I was pleased to work with the committee to apply for this grant,” he said. “The hall has been central to local community life since it was built almost 70 years ago.
“Members of the committee and the local community have maintained it through their voluntary efforts for many years. They have painted it, extended its facilities and treasured it as a local resource for meetings, functions, weddings, social occasions, a play group, exercise classes and dance lessons.
“When I first entered Parliament I was determined to work with local communities for government support to help maintain and upgrade these wonderful buildings and it’s great to see these outcomes.”
Further assistance has come through the Country Women’s Association Recovery Project through a grant from Woolworths to supply eight tables and 53 new chairs for the hall. Over the last few years the Committee has received funding from Uralla Council to repair its roof and the exterior was painted through a special grant from the Premier.
Mr Graham said that apart from the school the Memorial Hall was the only public facility in Kentucky.
“We are all very happy about this project and grateful for the funding and the work of the volunteers,” he said. “We are now set to start fundraising again for new equipment for the kitchen.”