Carisbrook Town Hall Community Asset Committee
The Carisbrook Town Hall is a place of much heritage significance in the township of Carisbrook.
It needs community leaders to assure the future sustainability of this heritage asset.
Used by numerous community groups the value of the facility is clear. However, due to recent changes in the Victorian Local Government Act 2020, the existing Section 86 Committee now needs to be repurposed as a Community Asset Committee.
Joining the Town Community Hall Asset Committee is an opportunity to learn new skills, grow as a leader and ensure the ongoing community management of this valued local community facility.
Subject to community interest, committee members will be appointed by the CEO for a fixed term of three years. Appointments took place late 2022.
Carisbrook Town Hall Story
The Carisbrook Town Hall was erected by the Borough of Carisbrook in 1859 and extended in 1892. It was built as a Town Hall and Corn Exchange, with a main hall with two small rooms on either side. The Town Clerk and Rate Collector was based in one of those. Other uses have included telegraph and post office, a Mechanics Institute (and later) free Library, Carisbrook Brass Band, and meeting rooms.
When the local councils were amalgamated to form the Shire of Tullaroop in 1915, the Town Hall lost its municipal purpose but remained a venue for public events and the local library. Shire meetings moved to Maryborough Town Hall until a new Shire Office was built in Neill Street, Maryborough.
Under the Shire of Tullaroop a Town Hall Committee was formed. Its membership were local citizens who conducted public dances and rented out rooms to local and visiting organizations to raise funds for maintenance and improvements. When interest in these declined, and local population declined, and more attractive and better equipped venues (Tullaroop Leisure Centre, Rec Reserve, Trotting Track) available, usage declined dramatically.
The entire Hall Committee resigned and eventually Carisbrook Historical Society Inc. negotiated a ten-year agreement with the Shire to take over Hall management. This agreement was renewed for another ten years and included the former Maternal and Infant Welfare Centre but has since expired.
Recently, thanks to the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Funding Program, roof maintenance works (slates, vents, flashings, and downpipes) were carried out.
The Carisbrook Town Hall is the property of the Victorian Government (DEWLP) with Council the official Committee of Management.
What are Community Asset Committees?
Community Asset Committees are established by Council under the Local Government Act 2020 with specific delegated powers and functions to manage Council-owned or controlled assets in our shire.
Council values the contribution made by volunteers who form these committees and encourages all members of the community to consider applying when positions become available.
Members are appointed to the committees by the CEO for a fixed term of three years.
All members of Community Asset Committees operate under the requirements outlined in an Instrument of Delegation which sets out their powers, functions and responsibilities in relation to each asset.
What is expected of Community Asset Committee members?
The role of the Community Asset Committee will be to manage the facility on Council’s behalf. This will involve various and diverse tasks:
- Grow the range of activities on offer and increase participation
- Manage bookings
- Ensure the facility is cleaned regularly
- Monitor Covid-19 restrictions
- Ensure all restrictions and requirements are adhered to
- Manage the Committee’s finances
- Prepare and submit reports to Council
- Conduct monthly meetings
- Operate the committee pursuant to section 65 of the Local Government Act 2020
All members of Community Asset Committees operate under the requirements outlined in an Instrument of Delegation which sets out their powers, functions and responsibilities in relation to each asset.