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[[File:Pool.jpg| Bathers enjoying a swim at the Municipal Swimming Pool in Peisley Street, circa 1930.  The pool was opened in 1924 on the site of the current Orange City Library and Regional Gallery]]
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[[File:090766_11280A_Amoco_Normie_edited.jpg|Normie Rowe plays to a packed house on 9 July 1966. Photograph courtesy Orange and District Historical Society, CWD Collection.]]
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== Summer's Here!==
 
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The tourism guide of the day ''Orange and District Guide: Millthorpe, Cadia and Forest Reefs'', (circa 1915) waxed lyrical about the natural beauty of Orange and the region.
 
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Editor Frank S Bone wrote “the marked and welcome changes of the rolling seasons, the vivid emerald of Spring and Summer, the ripening into the gold of Autumn’s ingatherings, and pure mantle of spotless snow in all its purity, causing Winter, to beam with brightness in the frosty air and unclouded sunshine.  Such charms and delights must surely win many who love Nature for herself to visit so choice a locality, and so varied a country.  In Orange and District, you find it all, and more remains to be told.”
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== A Shining Example of Community Collaboration==
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Indeed he went on to describe the natural attractions of the region including the benefits of its climate.  The medical men of Orange “never hesitate to recommend patients suffering for consumption or other pulmonary complaints to visit Orange. Snow is not infrequent in the winter months, but never is the low temperature such as causes sickness and distress, but rather, during the snow months the people are full of fun, spirits are high, and life is one long period of enjoyment. “
 
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Natural wonders described in the guide included local parks, Mt Canobolas, Towac, The Pinnacles, The Borenore Caves, Summer Hill Creek, Ophir, Icely Road and Heifer Station Creek (Hamer Reserve) and The Waterworks at Gosling Creek.  
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The concept of the Amoco Hall was first mentioned at a meeting at the [[Ophir Motel]] when Mr [[Ernest Tilston]] ‘sold’ the idea of a public hall to the then Deputy Mayor, Alderman [[Ron Hill]].
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It listed them as “pleasant places of easy access”.  “The Canoblas – 11 miles to camping ground known as The Springs,  The foot of the Pinnacles, 9 miles from Orange.  “Here the scenery is rugged and grand, and the effects of old-time volcanic eruptions is shown very clearly. Towac – leading into the gorges, is also 9 miles from the township and generally rugged and grand.  The caves (Borenore) are respectively 11 and 13 miles from Orange and well worthy of a visit.  Here is it the beautiful marble deposits are being worked. The stone is of exceptional quality and colour and gives a magnificent surface when polished. Summer Hill Creek – 5 to 6 miles, Icely Road – 4 miles from Orange.  “This is a beautiful spot and ideal picnicking ground. The scenery is perfect, and there is good fishing and shooting.” And then this: The Waterworks, three and half miles from Orange on Gosling Creek.  Here is one of “the finest stretches of water for town supply to be seen in the State.
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Strangely enough the meeting was supposed to discuss the formation of a Bowling Club for proposed bowling greens that the [[Amoco Oil Company]] had agreed to help finance in exchange for the lease of the land on [[Bathurst Road]] on which their service station was built.Alderman Hill promised to solicit the support of the Mayor, Alderman [[Clive Hamer]], and if [[Orange City Council]] agreed to a a public hall instead of a bowling green an approach would be made to the directors of the Amoco Oil Company to devote their lease money to the construction of the building.
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Together with walks, picnics and fishing, swimming was also a popular pastime.  A dam located in Wentworth Park, located west of the town was used for many years by young people as a swimming spot. In 1888 Council erected a bathing shed next to the dam at a cost of 25 pounds.  
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Mayor Hamer and Mr Tilston had little difficulty in persuading Amoco and the Mayor was impressed with the need for a community centre. By this time Mr Tilston had secured the full support of the [[Orange Sports and Social Club]] and a not-for-profit company was to be formed to construct the hall. The Club agreed to raise funds and with Mr Tilston’s enthusiasm support began to roll in. The Orange Sports and Social Club raised money, tradesmen promised their labour and good second- hand material was purchased.
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Another unofficial swimming bath was James Cox’s brick kiln at the top end of Summer Street but it was murky and there was the occasional appearance of dead animals.
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But of course like most worthwhile projects there were the ‘knockers’. Letters against the project were written and published in the ''[[Central Western Daily]]''. People who promised support suddenly lost interest. Doubts were raised whether voluntary work could be organised and whether sufficient loan funds would be forthcoming. These objections were overcome and with voluntary help and the use of second-hand material the building was eventually completed for £60,000. One of the early supporters who gave much moral and financial support was Mr [[Geoff Murray]]. The architect, Mr [[F Graf]] donated a large portion of his fees.
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Mr Bert Feltham wrote in a letter to the Central Western Daily “so many boys used to get into the water that the owner had a small dressing shed erected, covered with hessian and chaff bags, and charged 3d a dip.  The water was pretty muddy and sometimes a dead cat or dog was seen to be floating about.”
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The opening of the Hall on 10 June 1965 soon convinced everyone that this was a much needed amenity.On the opening night in June 1965 there was a hugely successful ball complete with live dance band (the Merry Makers).The next evening [[Stomp City]], Orange's answer to Surf City in Sydney - began its amazing run as the town's major weekend entertainment. Three bands - Buddy and the Hermits, the Mystery Men and the Ravens - did half hour stints in turn to keep the dancers happy from 12 noon to 12 midnight. None of the musicians accepted pay that weekend, and neither did the hall staff - the entire proceeds were ploughed back into hall improvements Click here to read more [[File: http://www.theorangewiki.orange.nsw.gov.au/index.php?title=Amoco_Hall]]
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A Municipal Pool had been talked about since 1901 and actions taken in 1923 to make it a reality with the official opening in February 1924 on the site of what is now the Orange City Library and Regional Gallery.  The 100 foot long and 42ft wide concrete pool with a sloping floor was built at a cost of 1,100 pounds.
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A crowd of about 2000 assembled at the corner of Peisley and Byng Streets on a cool and windy day for the official opening performed by Mayor Dr Colvin.  There was also a lifesaving demonstration by members of the North Sydney Swimming Club after which local swimmers showed off their sporting ability. The baths were open to all ages and this included, for the first time, boys and girls under 16.
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Neck-to-knee swimsuits were required, the pool water was changed daily and spitting in the baths was prohibited. 
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A push began for an Olympic pool in the early 1950s.  A group of businesspeople and community representatives formed the Orange Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool Committee with the aim of raising money for the construction of an Olympic Pool. 
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The contract price for the three pools – swimming pool, wading pool and diving pool was 42, 956 pounds and it was build by Keith W Scott Pty Ltd.
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The Olympic Pool at National Park (now Moulder Park), Hill Street, was considered to be one of the best swimming facilities in the Southern Hemisphere. 
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Work is expected to begin soon on the Orange Indoor Aquatic Centre at the same Hill Street location.  The $7.2 million project includes a 25-metre 8 lane heated pool, change rooms, café and tiered seating. 
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In January 1916 work began on the Meadow Creek Reservoir (now Lake Canobolas) after the government of the day stated it was not advisable to construct another reservoir below Gosling Creek on the same watershed. In 1934 Mayor Dr Colvin requested Meadow Creek be turned into an attraction and a tourist road be constructed to the Lake. With the raising of the Spring Creek Dam in 1947 the working life of Lake Canobolas came to an end.  At that time Council reserved 93ha for recreation including swimming, trout fishing, boating and camping. 
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In October 1960 about 3000 people watched the Orange Sailing and Canoeing Club’s first regatta on Lake Canobolas.  Canoeing took off in the 1960s and 70s with John Southwood and John Sumegi becoming Olympics representatives in the sport.
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Now the lake is home to kayaking, Dragon Boats and fly fishing as well as the perfect spot for BBQs, picnics and swimming.  
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== How can you be part of this? ==
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The launch of this 150 year Wiki gives all of the community the opportunity to contribute their stories about the '''people, places, services and events''' that have contributed to the history of local government in Orange. We've included some stories to get you started but this is very much a work in progress and will be dependent on you supplying us with information to build this resource. You can find further details at the Community Portal link on the navigation bar to the left. We look forward to hearing from you; [mailto:wiki@orange.nsw.gov.au email us]
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Revision as of 05:35, 5 June 2015

Normie Rowe plays to a packed house on 9 July 1966. Photograph courtesy Orange and District Historical Society, CWD Collection.



A Shining Example of Community Collaboration

The concept of the Amoco Hall was first mentioned at a meeting at the Ophir Motel when Mr Ernest Tilston ‘sold’ the idea of a public hall to the then Deputy Mayor, Alderman Ron Hill.

Strangely enough the meeting was supposed to discuss the formation of a Bowling Club for proposed bowling greens that the Amoco Oil Company had agreed to help finance in exchange for the lease of the land on Bathurst Road on which their service station was built.Alderman Hill promised to solicit the support of the Mayor, Alderman Clive Hamer, and if Orange City Council agreed to a a public hall instead of a bowling green an approach would be made to the directors of the Amoco Oil Company to devote their lease money to the construction of the building.

Mayor Hamer and Mr Tilston had little difficulty in persuading Amoco and the Mayor was impressed with the need for a community centre. By this time Mr Tilston had secured the full support of the Orange Sports and Social Club and a not-for-profit company was to be formed to construct the hall. The Club agreed to raise funds and with Mr Tilston’s enthusiasm support began to roll in. The Orange Sports and Social Club raised money, tradesmen promised their labour and good second- hand material was purchased.

But of course like most worthwhile projects there were the ‘knockers’. Letters against the project were written and published in the Central Western Daily. People who promised support suddenly lost interest. Doubts were raised whether voluntary work could be organised and whether sufficient loan funds would be forthcoming. These objections were overcome and with voluntary help and the use of second-hand material the building was eventually completed for £60,000. One of the early supporters who gave much moral and financial support was Mr Geoff Murray. The architect, Mr F Graf donated a large portion of his fees.

The opening of the Hall on 10 June 1965 soon convinced everyone that this was a much needed amenity.On the opening night in June 1965 there was a hugely successful ball complete with live dance band (the Merry Makers).The next evening Stomp City, Orange's answer to Surf City in Sydney - began its amazing run as the town's major weekend entertainment. Three bands - Buddy and the Hermits, the Mystery Men and the Ravens - did half hour stints in turn to keep the dancers happy from 12 noon to 12 midnight. None of the musicians accepted pay that weekend, and neither did the hall staff - the entire proceeds were ploughed back into hall improvements Click here to read more File:Http://www.theorangewiki.orange.nsw.gov.au/index.php?title=Amoco Hall

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