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.:
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 Hall is managed by the Tomerong School of Arts Committee which meets on the second Monday of each month at the Hall from 7:00 p.m. Current Committee members include Robyn Sedger (President), Bev Stewart, (Vice president), Bev Tipping (Secretary), Rosemary Tabone (Market Co-ordinator and Hall Booking Officer), Glenn Hulkes (Treasurer and Public Officer), and Sandra Lee (Grants Officer).
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.