Since its opening on 5 August 1925,1 the Upper Lansdowne Memorial Hall has stood at the heart of the community – a place where generations have gathered for meetings, dances, concerts, and even the occasional spirited brawl. The hall was built to replace the old School of Arts Hall,2 which was in disrepair and located outside the town’s centre.3
James Crittenden largely donated the land and local schoolteacher William Fennings designed the hall with assistance from Arthur James Ritchie. Ritchie supervised its construction using timber milled at local sawmills.4 Every element of the building, from windows and fanlights to doors and red cedar seats, was handcrafted and donated by the townspeople, reflecting the community spirit that shaped it.5
The foundation stone, prepared by Edsteins of Taree, was laid by Mary Jane Cicolini, a tireless contributor to the war effort during World War I. She had three sons who served—John, Horace, and Raymond—though tragically, Raymond was killed on the Somme in France.6
After World War II, the hall once again became a focal point, hosting a ceremony to honour the 70 local men and women who served, and to remember those who did not return.7 In 1954, as the hall underwent much-needed renovations, it was Mary Cicolini—then in her 80s—who was invited to officially reopen it.8
Today, the Upper Lansdowne Memorial Hall continues to serve as a cornerstone of community life, and in August 2025, it proudly celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Author: Janine Roberts
Visit this page for more information on the Upper Lansdowne Memorial Hall and the Centenary Celebrations.
References:
1 Northern Champion, 8 August 1925, 4.
2 Northern Champion, 17 April 1926, 4.
3 Northern Champion, 19 July 1924, 4.
4 Northern Champion, 28 February 1925, 6.
5 Northern Champion, 27 June 1925, 6.
6 Northern Champion, 28 February 1925, 6; NAA: B2455, Cicolini H R.
7 Northern Champion, 21 December 1946, 8.
8 Northern Champion, 8 October 1954, 1.
