50 years ago Auditorium group hopes rise

- The Gazette, 20 February 1973

The Victorian Premier, Mr Hamer, has promised a “sympathetic hearing” to any application for Government grants for Warragul’s proposed regional auditorium project.

Mr Hamer gave his assurance at a Civic Reception in the Shire Offices last Wednesday.

Preliminary sketch plans by architect Mr R. Falkiner of a proposed auditorium were “publicly unveiled” at the reception.

Mr Hamer spent 25 minutes with an “unofficial deputation” of members of the West Gippsland Regional Auditorium Project Committee.

They included Mesdames W.F. Ferguson, R.W. Dent, R.J. Long and R. Wayn, Mr Wayn and Minister of Fuel and Power Mr Balfour.

Mr Hamer told those at the Civic Reception he had “been in the hands of a strong pressure group.”

“I must be non-committal at this stage because an application for a grant has not been made,” he said.

“We don’t even know how much it will cost.” “The performing arts are an increasing part of our community life nowadays.”

In welcoming Mr Hamer, the Shire President, Cr N.O. Cotterell said that if he agreed to the project as presented, the Government could be “up for about $600,000.”

Cr Cotterell presented Mr Hamer with a copy of the book “Path of Progress”.

Mr Hamer said he was pleased to receive the book and believed it was important for the State to preserve its history.

He said he had always been full of admiration for Warragul - because of the vigour of its council and the range of service clubs operating here.

“More and more we are faced with the need to curb the growth of Australian capital cities,” he said.

“Melbourne’s growth rate has increased by 13 per cent while Geelong’s has increased by only 10 per cent.

“It is the imbalance which needs to be rectified.”

“The Government has a say in directing growth to other areas to be able to absorb it.”

You here in Warragul have our support in your efforts to achieve this.”

“But you must make sure you don’t give away what makes this district attractive in your eagerness to progress.”

“Development we can have but we must conserve what we have to conserve.”