Jiggi Hall Centenary
Goolmangar Hall Centenary
Goolmangar Public School 125th Anniversary

Mr THOMAS GEORGE (Lismore) [6.29 p.m.]: Tonight I draw attention to three significant events that have taken place in my electorate recently. The Jiggi Hall Centenary was celebrated on Sunday 14 October. It was a great ceremony and I pay tribute to its coordinator, Stephen Nelson, and every member of the Jiggi Hall Centenary Committee. Jiggi Hall is a classic country hall, and celebrated its 100 years as the epicentre of daily life from Friday 12 October to Sunday 14 October. Similar school of arts halls were built throughout rural Australia in the nineteenth century, and the official opening of the Jiggi Public Hall, as it was originally named, took place on 16 October 1907. Land and timber for the hall were donated. The wood used in the construction was sawn free of charge and transported to the site by bullock team at no cost by local farmers and tradesmen. That is the way they used to do it in those days.

Leading off the centenary celebrations was a magnificent performance by the Jiggi Public School choir, taught by Coral Rose. Those who attended then heard a welcome to country and a talk on indigenous life by John Roberts senior, who grew up in the area. He explained the history of the area and told some great stories about it. It was a magnificent welcome to country. The mayor of Lismore, Merv King, and his wife, Bernice, also attended. They spoke about their involvement in the area as well. I had the opportunity to say a few words, and I was very pleased to be accompanied by my partner, Deb. Greg Schiebel, the son of the late Bert Schiebel, with whom I did a lot of business in my prior employment as a stock and station agent, provided the keynote address as a descendant of the Goolmangar residents.

On Sunday 28 October I attended the 125th anniversary of the Goolmangar Public School. Bear in mind that earlier in the year the Goolmangar Hall celebrated its 100th anniversary. These buildings are within 30 kilometres of each other. It is a great credit to the community that it has dedicated and protected the history of the region. It is to its further credit that the local school is celebrating its 125th anniversary and is still going strong. The day began with a musical performance by the children of the Goolmangar Public School, and it was magnificent. Everyone enjoyed the performance, which contained themes that virtually spanned 125 years. The welcome address was given by Sally Ann Jones, the parents and citizens association president. I pay tribute to Sally Ann because of her generous contribution to the Goolmangar Public School in one way or another over the past 15 years.

The relieving director of the New South Wales Department of Education and Training, John Lynch, also attended. I had the honour of unveiling a plaque at the school. Georgina Jones represented the Landcare project launch. Don Sams, the principal of the school, compiled a lovely book on the history of the school and he dedicated it to the school that day. The school's youngest and the oldest students cut the celebratory cake. The oldest former student there that day was Bill Graham. Also present were Jenny Sommerville, who wrote a book on the history of the hall at Goolmangar; Bruce Shearman and his family; and Robbie Graham, his wife, Shirley, and his sisters, who accompanied Mr and Mrs Graham. It was a great day. Kathy, who put together the musical item, did a great job. Such events maintain the history of our region, and I pay tribute to everyone involved in them.