26/07/2026
๐ป๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐
๐ถ๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐ ๐
As our building undergoes its biggest transformation in decades (๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฌ๐จ๐จ๐ง!) we thought it was the perfect time to share a little of the history behind the place we proudly call home.
Our Society stands on the site of the old Snake Valley Courthouse. It later became the A.N.A. (Australian Natives' Association) Hall. The A.N.A. was a men's friendly society founded in Victoria in 1871 that provided financial support to Australian-born members during illness and bereavement while promoting education, community service and the movement for Australian Federation.
Until the end of World War II, there was no R.S.L. branch in the CarnghamโSnake Valley district, meaning local returned servicemen had to travel to the Beaufort R.S.L. Branch, a journey that prevented many from participating. Following the war, local veterans met to discuss establishing their own branch.
The timing coincided with the A.N.A. Hall becoming available for the grand sum of ยฃ30. Fundraising began, and Major Russell generously donated the money to secure the purchase for the newly formed Carngham R.S.L. Branch, creating a meeting place for veterans and their families.
The old hall required extensive work, much of it undertaken by dedicated volunteers. Local women formed the R.S.L. Auxiliary and helped the men to organise balls, flower shows, euchre nights and gymkhanas to raise funds. In fact, many locals learned to play euchre thanks to the R.S.L.
The Memorial Rose Garden was also established at the front of the hall, with families planting roses in memory of loved ones who had served. Although this has changed due to a few misfortunes with the original roses, the garden and plaques are a feature that remain today.
In the 1950s, news spread that the RAAF Base at Ballarat Airport was being dismantled. An opportunity arose to purchase one of the former recreation buildings, and four R.S.L. members travelled to inspect them, selecting the W.A.A.F. recreation room for ยฃ200. That equates to around $8,000โ$8,500 today - a significant financial commitment for a small rural community.
That building is the one we know today. On a Saturday morning, Bill and Gary Nunn transported it from Ballarat Airport to Snake Valley in less than four hours. The original A.N.A. Hall was then removed to make way for the kitchen and meeting room at the rear of the new building. Once again, countless volunteer hours transformed it into a wonderful meeting place for returned servicemen, their wives and the wider community.
Over the decades, the hall hosted card nights, ANZAC Day gatherings, memorial services and meetings, becoming an important social hub for the district.
As R.S.L. membership declined, local members hoped to gift the hall to the Snake Valley & District Historical Society so it could continue serving the community. Although R.S.L. headquarters ultimately required the building to be sold, the Historical Society was able to purchase it after lengthy negotiations, ensuring it would continue preserving the district's history.
Today, more than 70 years later, another dedicated team of volunteers and tradespeople are giving the building a new lease on life, helping protect our historic collections from weather damage and ensuring this special place continues to serve the community for generations to come.
๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ค ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ'๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ.
More on the renovation project to come! ๐ค
