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[[File:Unveiling-boer-memorial.jpg|Unveiling of the Boer War Memorial on the Corner of Summer and Anson Streets on 29 March 1905]]
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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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== A Shining Example of Community Collaboration==
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== A Time to Remember and Reflect ==
 
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On Sunday 26 May 2013 a service was held at the Boer War memorial in Robertson Park to remember the soldiers, their horses, nurses and members of the navy who were involved in the Second Boer War (1899-1902). The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging on 31 May 1902. Over the past few years this event has been commemorated in Orange on the nearest Sunday.
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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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Men from Orange first served in combat in South Africa during the Second Boer War. Four young men of the district played the ultimate sacrifice: Major SJ Smith, and troopers EJ Coneybear, HJ Beasley and M Bastick losing their lives in the conflict.
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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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[[Media:Dr Neville Howse]] arrived in Orange from England via Taree in September 1899 with plans to establish a medical practice. These were put on hold when his commission in the NSW Army Medical Corps found him bound for South Africa early in 1900. On 24 July at Vredefort in the Orange Free State, Captain Howse was assigned to a British unit pursing a group of Boer guerillas. In the midst of a counter attack by the enemy Howse risked his own life to rescue a wounded man pinned down by heavy crossfire. For his bravery Howse became the first member of an Australian force to be awarded the Victoria Cross. Apart from the Boer War he also served at Gallipoli in World War I and Sir Neville Howse was responsible for the development of trauma treatment following the war.
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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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He returned to pursue his medical career in Orange and be heavily involved in the community. He later went on to become involved in federal politics.
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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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The Boer War Memorial was erected at the intersection of Summer and Anson Streets in 1905. The list of 125 who died in World War I was later added to the memorial. In the late 1920s it was re-erected on the northwest corner of the intersection of Summer Street and Lords Place, outside Robertson Park. It was relocated to its current position at the northern end of Robertson Park as part of the remodeling of the park in the late 1930s.
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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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Orange also has another interesting link to the Boer War as Banjo Paterson was a war correspondent in that war.
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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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