Recent Works
Hall Grounds Upgrade – Community Update
December 2025
The works currently underway at the Hall are part of a planned upgrade program that follows the April 2025 community consultation. Feedback from the consultation helped set priorities, and the committee engaged registered Landscape Architect Peter Phillips to prepare the precinct plan guiding the works.
We want to acknowledge and thank the many volunteers who have cared for the Hall grounds over the years. Their efforts have shaped the space we value today. The current upgrades build on that history while addressing safety, maintenance and accessibility issues identified through consultation and professional advice.
Some older garden structures and fencing had become unsafe and difficult to maintain. These are being replaced with durable, heritage-appropriate materials designed to improve safety, reduce upkeep and make the grounds more accessible.
A compliant boundary fence will be installed along the eastern side to support child safety and community use. Council has confirmed that consent is not required, and horticultural advice confirms that the works will not impact the health of existing trees.
The draft precinct plan (see image below) is available for viewing at the Hall, the Post Office. The committee is now progressing the works in line with the consultation outcomes and professional plans
December 2025
The works currently underway at the Hall are part of a planned upgrade program that follows the April 2025 community consultation. Feedback from the consultation helped set priorities, and the committee engaged registered Landscape Architect Peter Phillips to prepare the precinct plan guiding the works.
We want to acknowledge and thank the many volunteers who have cared for the Hall grounds over the years. Their efforts have shaped the space we value today. The current upgrades build on that history while addressing safety, maintenance and accessibility issues identified through consultation and professional advice.
Some older garden structures and fencing had become unsafe and difficult to maintain. These are being replaced with durable, heritage-appropriate materials designed to improve safety, reduce upkeep and make the grounds more accessible.
A compliant boundary fence will be installed along the eastern side to support child safety and community use. Council has confirmed that consent is not required, and horticultural advice confirms that the works will not impact the health of existing trees.
The draft precinct plan (see image below) is available for viewing at the Hall, the Post Office. The committee is now progressing the works in line with the consultation outcomes and professional plans
Ongoing Care & Working Bees
The School of Arts is run by a volunteer committee made up from the local community. Everyone in the community is very welcome to join. It is very rewarding to be part of this group. It means attending a meeting at the hall at 7:00 pm on the second Monday of the month (except January), helping out on occasional working bees, and taking on an occasional task such as helping with the market. Long-term community members can come along and contribute their local knowledge, and those newly moved to Tomerong will find it a fun way to meet people and get involved. For more information, use the "Contact Us" form or just turn up on a Monday evening meeting night.
The Tomerong School of Arts Management Committee raises the funds to maintain and improve this facility through the operation of a monthly village market, fund raising events, working bees and the hiring of the venue by community groups for cultural activities and wellbeing classes such as yoga and dance. The School of Arts also accepts, and has received, donations of funds, labour and materials; all of which have assisted in the implementation of the following improvements to the School of Arts building since 2004.:
There are also regular Working Bees held to clean up and generally 'tweak' the Hall building and surrounds.
The School of Arts Committee would also like to voice its appreciation to the local Bendigo Bank for their generous returns on our financial deposits as this has helped us to achieve a number of our improvements as well as assisting us in ongoing maintenance.
The Tomerong School of Arts Management Committee raises the funds to maintain and improve this facility through the operation of a monthly village market, fund raising events, working bees and the hiring of the venue by community groups for cultural activities and wellbeing classes such as yoga and dance. The School of Arts also accepts, and has received, donations of funds, labour and materials; all of which have assisted in the implementation of the following improvements to the School of Arts building since 2004.:
- Repainting the Inside and Outside of the Hall
- Installation of Community Garden
- Pavers in front of Hall – purchasers of these had their names engraved ‘for posterity’.
- New Kitchen – replacing the old wood-fired oven with a large modern one plus new benching, etc.
- Children’s Play area – with sandpit, swings, cubby house, etc.
- Car Park and ramp on Northern side.
- Toilet area refurbishment (but ear-marked for a total makeover).
- Stage Backdrop – customised with the Hall motif and placed so as to be behind performers.
- Verandah on southern side – providing additional dining and overflow area for the Hall.
- Solar Panels – to reduce the cost of electricity used as well as to be environment-friendly.
- Extension of the stage - lengthening, allowing for additional power points and provision of new steps.
- Renovation of septic system - expanded to cope with the larger events held at the Hall.
- Installation of Stage Lighting.
- Addition of Disabled toilet facilities and performer Change Room
- Expansion of back verandah
- Installation of CCTV system for additional security
Planned future improvements include the following. - Installation of Airconditioning
- Expansion of Solar system
- Addition of verandah on Northern side to mirror that on the Southern - plus levelling off the ramp to side door.
- Completion of stage refurbishment.
- Upgrade of Storeroom.
- Renovation of existing toilet facilities
There are also regular Working Bees held to clean up and generally 'tweak' the Hall building and surrounds.
The School of Arts Committee would also like to voice its appreciation to the local Bendigo Bank for their generous returns on our financial deposits as this has helped us to achieve a number of our improvements as well as assisting us in ongoing maintenance.
 |
 |
