The Twyford is built on the lands of the Djiringanj people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all First Nations people who come to meet, connect and perform at The Twyford venue.
Twyford Hall in Merimbula NSW was built in 1931, long serving as a space for community events, celebrations, markets, the arts and so much more.
In the beginning, a trust was established for the hall when a title of land was donated by Merimbula resident J.W.Twyford in 1931, who had been raised in the seaside village from his childhood years.
With a population of only around 150 people, the Merimbula community built the hall in 10 months after the tireless efforts of the committee to raise enough money for its construction. It was built during the depression, through Merimbula residents’ tenacity to achieve their vision.
The Twyford Hall was officially opened in December 1931, a grand occasion with people travelling from all over the district to join in on the celebrations.
The war years ensued, and soldiers were treated to fond farewells and welcome home parties at the hall. This was followed by annual ANZAC services after the war for many years to follow, with ANZAC memorial plaques placed at the front of the hall. It was also used as a safe haven for the survivors of the American shipwreck, the SS William Dawes, with locals providing food, warm clothing and shelter.
In the 50’s, the ballet classes held at the hall that were so popular they were attended by almost every girl, and one boy from the area. They would rehearse and perform at great productions held at the hall attended by many in the community. Since then, the hall has been used for a diverse range of purposes, from church functions, Santa appearances to weekend markets.
Timeline
Shell middens dating back thousands of years are located under the venue, and care was taken during construction of the new Theatre between 2020-2023 to involve local community and the Bega Aboriginal Land Council in examining the site and protecting any artifacts found. Similar middens near the Pambula River have been dated to at least 3000 years old.
1931
- Trust established when Title of land transferred from J.W.Twyford.
- Trustees J.W.Twyford, Sydney Ford & E.T.Boller
- Construction over 10 months
- Opening of the Hall, December 1931
1936
“The Twyford Hall committee has installed a 4 h.p. 1500 watt electric lighting plant in the hall, and a big ball is to be held next week to celebrate the occasion. Cr. Wiles, President of Imlay Shire, has been invited to perform the switching-on ceremony.”
– The Southern Record and Advertiser 17 July 1936
“At the fifth annual meeting in connection with the Twyford Hall, the Secretary (Mr. O. G. Tortice) reported that the liabilities had been reduced to £ 104. Income for the year was £149. Mr. R. C. Munn, who was elected President for the ensuing year, said it was his ambition to wipe off the deficit during the year.” – The Southern Record and Advertiser 31 July 1936
Progress is the watchword at
Merimbula, says the Voice. The
Twyford Hall committee are so well abreast of debenture payments in reduction of the hall debt (now only about £200) that Mr. J. Chirnside has generously offered to guarantee up to £200 for an electric lighting plant, provided that it is installed within six weeks. The offer has been gratefully accepted, and with the improved lighting system the Merimbula dances will soon become more popular than ever.
1939
- Mrs Twyford bequest for a front porch, two small rooms and Supper Room to be built from proceeds.
1950s
- Anzac Day services held in front of hall (photo courtesy Christine Kaine)
1962
The Twyford Hall Soldiers Memorial Wing and Porch commemorate those from Merimbula who served in World Wars One and Two. The Soldiers Memorial Wing was erected on 15 December 1962 and porch was donated by Miss Sarah Twyford in memory of the Merimbula Soldiers who served in World War One. Honour Rolls from both World Wars are located on the front of the building. The original plaque from the Soldiers Memorial Wing no longer appears to be on the building.
1980
- Trust transferred to Shire of Imlay
- New Constitution:
1. The name of the Hall shall be “ Twyford Hall”
2.The object of the Hall shall be to provide a place of public entertainment, social functions, meetings, the delivery of lectures, church services and for such other purposes as the management committee may from to time decide. - Imlay Shire amalgamated and Bega Valley Shire becomes the Trustee.
- Land remains “community land”
- S 355 Committee set up to manage Hall
1995
- Plans for new theatre drawn up.
- Town Centre Studies recommend Twyford Hall be pulled down.
- Long history of community involvement with no Government funding.
2004
- Retail Shops on Market Street side built with Loan Funds from Council
2007
- Development Application for Theatre Twyford approved
2010
- Council Loan Repaid
- Twyford Hall Incorporates as an association
- Twyford Hall Inc Plan of Management approved by Council
2011
- Construction begins on Toilet facilities of new complex.
- Management Agreement between Council and Twyford Hall Incorporated signed.
2018
- Announcement by NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Development, John Barilaro and Bega MP Andrew Constance that the NSW State Government will grant $7.4 million from the Regional Communities Development Fund to build the new Theatre Twyford.
2019
- Funds released by NSW Government to enable Theatre Twyford building project to commence.
- Donald Cant Watts Corke appointed as Project Managers for the theatre building project.
- Winning Building tender Monarch Building Solutions announced in December 2019 by Member for Bega The Hon Andrew Constance MP as Monarch Building Solutions. Deputy Mayor Sharon Tapscott and THI President Bill Deveril were also present.
2020
- Severe bushfires result in the evacuation of areas around Merimbula and the forced exclusion of tourists to the region, causing the cancellation of events at the Hall over the summer. Fire damage to the highway to the south closes border traffic for several months.
- The contract for the new theatre construction is signed on 4 March by THI President Bill Deveril (L) and Public Officer Bernard Shea (R) with Vice President Charles Cooper (centre).
- Over the month of March, the demolition of the old toilet brick toilet block and green room is completed and the Hall stage is shortened to allow builders access to the rear of the hall and to build a new truck-accessible loading dock. An old theatre chair is found under the floorboards.
- The supper room is also shortened to make way for a new fire sprinkler pump room on the south west corner of the Hall.
- Construction begins and the concrete foundations of the new theatre are poured on 29 April.
- The COVID-19 pandemic forces the closure of almost all public buildings and many businesses from 23 March 2020 including Twyford Hall. Construction of the theatre continues with appropriate social distancing and hygiene measures.
- At its Annual General Meeting, THI members vote in favour of transferring from an incorporated association to a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee registered with the ACNC, in view of the increasing assets under management of the entity in line with Fair Trading NSW’s recommendations.
- The supper room is also shortened to make way for a new fire sprinkler pump room on the south west corner of the Hall.
- Construction begins and the concrete foundations of the new theatre are poured on 29 April.
- The COVID-19 pandemic forces the closure of almost all public buildings and many businesses from 23 March 2020 including Twyford Hall. Construction of the theatre continues with social distancing and hygiene measures. The pandemic continues to cause lockdowns, event cancellations, delays and building closures for the next 3 years.
- At its Annual General Meeting, THI members vote in favour of transferring from an incorporated association to a not-for-profit company-limited-by-guarantee registered with the ACNC, in view of the increasing assets under management of the entity in line with Fair Trading NSW’s recommendations.
2021
- Construction work continues on the new theatre as building activities are mostly exempt from lockdowns, however supplies are often delayed. COVID restrictions and a state-wide lockdown cause more disruptions and cancellations of events.
- Construction work is paused on site until services connections can be resolved and more funding can be found.
- The transfer to a company-limited-by-guarantee is completed and Twyford Hall Inc becomes The Twyford Hall Complex Limited. The new Board meets for the first time on 6 September 2021. Board members are Frankie J Holden OAM (Chair), Greg Brackenreg (Company Secretary), Lucas Scarpin (CFO), Helen O’Neil, Christine Kaine, Charles Cooper and John Beever.
- The Twyford receives a grant of $72000 from the NSW government to upgrade stage lighting and sound in the heritage listed Hall as well arts grants of $30000 from Live Music Australia and $191910 from the federal Office of the Arts to assist with presenting live music and touring theatre shows in the venue, when COVID pandemic restrictions ease.
- The Hall reopens for limited events in November 2021.
- High speed NBN fibre to the premises is installed in readiness for the new Theatre to enable streaming of live events.
2022
The Hall sound and lighting upgrade is completed with new power and communications cabling connecting the Hall stage, new Tech Room (old biobox) and tech operator position at the rear of the Hall. The Hall Stage area modified during the adjacent theatre build receives a new ceiling and is repainted.
Public Works NSW takes on the role of project manager to complete the new Theatre build as new funding is found.
Electrical, water and sewerage connections are connected to the new Theatre and a driveway is built to the new loading dock.