As president of the Warwick and District Country Music Assn Inc, I would like to express our club’s concern over the sale of Slade. This complex needs to be kept in the community for community use. This wonderful concept in the middle of our town, if lost, will be something we will regret and miss the opportunities it possesses.
Our club, like many others in our community who use various buildings in this complex, will be left wondering where to go if this prize asset is lost. Warwick and District Country Music Club was formed on June 20, 1980 and over these years we have entertained for the enjoyment of others and raised money for many charities. We not only need Slade Hall for practice and social days, but also for the storage of our various equipment.
If this complex is retained for our community, our club would be prepared to lease “Slade Hall”. Having this security of tenancy would enable us to apply for grants to upgrade the hall (eg. disabled access, toilets, kitchen and ongoing maintenance) thus providing a great hall for community use to be rented at a reasonable rate for private functions as well as club use. Our town does not have another hall of this size suitable for our needs. At our 30-year reunion in June our club had 165 people seated at tables in Slade Hall and still had room for more. I am very confident this hall would be extensively used. (Slade Hall was moved from St. Catherine’s School in 1977 in memory of Old Boys of Slade who gave their lives in service to their country.) There would then be two halls in this precinct for many uses such as concerts, parties, weddings etc. The dining hall already caters for a lot of functions including many weddings and parties. To save money, each club using different buildings could be responsible for keeping their area mowed and presentable. Over many years, our club has built up to where we are today, with 203 members and more than 45 entertainers. We not only have socials, but entertain at many other different venues, thus providing enjoyment and social interaction as well as helping to raise money for the wider community. Last year we donated $11,000 to charities, with the Disability Support Group and the Mayoral flood appeal being the main beneficiaries. We also paid $3000 in rental for the hall.
If this wonderful complex is kept for our community, we are prepared to channel our efforts into this project for everyone to enjoy. Remember, we not only have to think of today, but many years into the future.
If this scenic complex is lost, I am sure we will say many years on, WELL—IF ONLY.
Ron Farrell,
President of the Warwick and District Country Music Assn Inc
