MARY’S MOUNT HISTORICAL WALK
Station E – Old Hall
In the late 1960s, a large hall was built as an upper storey to the original 1926 building to accommodate growing student numbers. It connected to the old school via a walkway and provided a covered play area below. The hall became a hub for Parents’ and Friends’ fundraising events, including luncheons, musical evenings, and Balls.
In 1979, a Grand Ball was held to celebrate West Australia’s 150th Year, transforming classrooms into Victorian-style parlours. After the original building’s demolition in 1986, the hall remained, and a new tuckshop was built. In the 2000s, it became The Gum Nut Canteen, serving fresh, healthy treats.
LISTEN – Click below to listen to the AUDIO version of this station or scroll below to READ.
READ
In the late 1960’s when numbers of students were still growing the Sisters found they didn’t have a building large enough for school assemblies or concerts etc.
It was decided to build a large hall as an upper storey to connect with the original 1926 building so that students could access it using a walkway from the old school or from a staircase below that ran between the two buildings. An under croft on the ground floor provided a covered play area.
This became a marvellous hall for Parents’ and Friends’ fundraising when Melbourne Cup luncheons, musical evenings, Balls, Dinners and even Gambling nights brought the community together to raise money for the school.
The kitchen in the old building was very large with a large cool room and food could be prepared and stored with ease then trundled up the inside or outside staircases for guests to partake! Catering by the P&F was on a grand scale in the 70’s and 80’s and sit down three course meals with drinks for two hundred were not uncommon.
In 1979, West Australia’s 150th Year, a Grand Ball was held in the Old Hall. The four classrooms upstairs were turned into parlours and sitting rooms with green, cream and red faux wallpaper and borrowed Victorian furniture. Guests were served dinner by maidservants. A few ticket of leave convicts and a squatter or two dashed here and there outside holding horses and awaiting the Governor’s presence to open the Ball for dancing and entertainment. Period Dress was required and the ladies each had a dance card. Cocktails overlooking the views of the City and surrounds at sunset were par for the course.
After the 1986 demolition of the original building the hall remained and a new tuckshop was built in the under croft. In the 2000’s it became The Gum Nut Canteen with a parent, canteen manager on duty Mondays and Fridays serving fresh, healthy, homemade treats for lunch and morning tea.
