Kendall School of Arts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kendall School of Arts |
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| Location | Comboyne Street, Kendall, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1908– |
| Owner | Kendall Community Centre |
| Official name: Kendall School of Arts; now the Kendall Community Centre; known locally as Kendall Hall | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 479 |
| Type | School of Arts |
| Category | Community Facilities |
The Kendall School of Arts is a special old building. It is located on Comboyne Street in Kendall. This building was first constructed in 1908. It is also known as the Kendall Community Centre. Many local people call it Kendall Hall.
This historic building is owned by the Kendall Community Centre. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Kendall Hall
How it Started
The idea for a School of Arts in Kendall began in 1892. The land where it stands was once a camping area. This area was used for resting horses and bullock teams. They brought logs from the forests to the timber mills in Kendall.
Building and Purpose
The timber building you see today was built in 1908. It officially opened its doors in 1910. It was known as the Kendall School of Arts until 1984.
Schools of Arts were also called mechanics' institutes. Their main goal was to help working-class people learn. They offered lectures, classes, and libraries. These places helped people improve their knowledge and skills.
In the early 1900s, Schools of Arts became very important. They were places for social gatherings and political meetings. People also went there for entertainment. They hosted social evenings, special balls, and later, even showed movies.
The Kendall School of Arts is one of at least seven similar buildings. These buildings were built between 1901 and 1918. They are all within 80 kilometers of each other.
Restoration and New Name
In 1983, a big storm damaged the building's supper room roof. The people of Kendall met to decide what to do. They had several choices, from selling it to completely restoring it. Everyone voted to restore the building.
In 1984, the name changed from School of Arts to Community Centre. However, most people still call it Kendall Hall. Both the Australian Government and the Heritage Office helped pay for the repairs.
The building still serves its original purpose. It continues to be a place for learning and community events. For example, the Camden Haven Learning Exchange started there in 1982. The Kendall Community Pre-School also operated in the Hall for several years.
Kendall Hall Today
Today, the side rooms are used by the Community Technology Centre. This center was set up in 2003. The Kendall School of Arts is used all the time. Many different community activities and meetings take place there. People often praise its excellent sound quality.
It is also the home of several major events and festivals. Kendall Hall remains a central spot for social and cultural life in the area.
What Kendall Hall Looks Like
The Kendall School of Arts has a balanced design. It is built from timber. Its roof is made of corrugated galvanised iron. The building sits proudly at the top of the village shopping center.
It is well placed on a sloping, triangle-shaped piece of land. This land faces the Y-shaped intersection of Comboyne and Albert Streets.
The nearby Kendall War Memorial, built in 1919, adds to the site. It has open space around it. The hall is built into the ground on the Comboyne Road side. It stands high off the ground on the Albert Street side. A supper room is attached to the southern side. Smaller additions like a stage and dressing rooms are at the back.
In 1973, an old school building was moved behind the hall. This was the Batar Creek State School. It was moved there for the local youth to use.
From the front of the Hall, you can see the mix of buildings in Kendall village. These include homes, shops, and industrial buildings. The hall itself stands out when viewed from the shopping center. The houses across from the Hall on Comboyne and Albert Streets are mostly old timber cottages. Some have Victorian-style details.
A large, two-trunked Camphor laurel tree stands on the Comboyne Street side. Two small silky oak trees are next to it. These were planted in 1988 to celebrate 200 years since Europeans settled in Australia.
Only one other listed building is close to the School of Arts. It is a beautiful Federation-style house. It is about a hundred meters away, over a nearby hill. You cannot see one building from the other.
Why Kendall Hall is Important
The Kendall School of Arts is a very important historical site. It shows how Kendall grew as a town starting in 1900. It has been used by the community for almost 100 years. This is a long-standing tradition.
The building is made of local timber. This shows the importance of the timber industry in the area. Timber was the main local industry for about 100 years. The hall is also known for its amazing sound quality.
The Kendall School of Arts was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. It met the following important rules:
Community Connection
The Kendall Hall has always been a community building. It has been used this way since it was built. It is a very important meeting place for the community. Its purpose has stayed the same over the years.
Showing Key Characteristics
This building is a great example of a School of Arts. These places were built to help people learn. They aimed to improve the minds and morals of working-class people.
