Heart and Soul of Wilberforce: Community Hall’s Era Ends

After 25 years of dedicated volunteer management, the iconic Wilberforce School of Arts is transitioning back to the care of Hawkesbury City Council. Built in 1925, this cherished landmark holds a special place in the hearts of many locals, embodying a sense of history, love, and, above all, belonging.

Neville Wearne, a 77-year-old resident of Wilberforce, has been a steadfast volunteer at the School of Arts for over two decades. As the deeds were being signed to officially remove the building from community management and hand it back to Council, he spoke to the Hawkesbury Post about the small building at 531 Wilberforce Road, Wilberforce, his fellow volunteers and its enduring place in the Hawkesbury community. For a moment, his voice briefly faltered when he recounted holding his wife’s wake in the very hall he worked so hard to preserve.

The decision to hand over management was part of a broader move by the Department of Local Government to centralise the administration of community facilities, many of which have been run by ageing volunteer committees. “It’s disappointing in certain ways,” Neville admitted. “We’ve been doing it for over 20 years, some close to 25 years, and there’s no one new coming in. Volunteerism these days is on the decline.”

The dedication and hard work of the volunteers ensured the hall remained in excellent condition. Neville described the multifaceted role of the volunteers, which included general maintenance, cleaning, and lawn care. “The money we got from the hire went into improving the hall,” he said. Over the years, the volunteers ensured the hall remained well-appointed, with upgrades like heaters, air conditioning, LED lights, and soundproofing. The building’s upkeep has been a community effort, with the Council contributing significantly to its refurbishment.

“Council put money into refurbishing the place. We’ve upgraded the disabled access, which also acts as a mother’s room with a pop-down baby changing table,” said Neville. These enhancements have made the hall more accessible and comfortable for everyone. 

“We stood in front of bulldozers,” Neville recalled, describing the community’s efforts to save the building from demolition over 25 years ago. “It’s now the best-appointed hall in the district.” The hall has hosted countless events, from weddings and birthday parties to community meetings and reunions. It has even served as a hub for helping people in need, especially after the 2019 fires.

The Wilberforce School of Arts, built as a community hall, has a rich history of community involvement and support. It was constructed in 1925 and later expanded to include a commemorative room for First World War veterans. This building, with its tasteful and unadorned architecture, stands as a symbol of Hawkesbury’s heritage and community spirit.

Despite the change in management, Neville remains hopeful. “Council is taking over seamlessly,” he said. “We just hope they maintain the same level of care that we did.” His commitment to the hall is rooted in a deep sense of community service, a value that has driven him to volunteer at the School of Arts and the Rural Fire Service.

The role of volunteers in managing the Wilberforce School of Arts was well organised. “We had a roster system for maintenance,” Neville explained. “It should take a month around that’s at a time, you know. So in that it was just putting out the garbage, cleaning the hall, cleaning the toilets, and making sure the papers were there. It was just general maintenance.” The hall was always in top condition for the community to use, Neville said.

However, as the cost of living pressures and time weigh heavily on families today, Neville spoke about the challenges of maintaining volunteer interest and participation. “There’s no one new coming in. Nobody wants to do it,” he said. “You know, volunteerism is these days, it’s knocked on the head. You very rarely get volunteers to do anything. I’m in the rural fire service as well. We struggle to get people for many reasons, particularly financial situations and things like that. People just haven’t got that time, or it’s not in their ethos to volunteer anymore.”

Neville’s connection to the Wilberforce School of Arts is deeply personal. He moved to the Hawkesbury over 30 years ago with his wife, a local girl. “My wife’s wake was in there,” he shared, his voice trembling. “It’s a special place for me and my family.” This personal connection underscores the emotional significance of the hall for many in the community.

 “It’s there for the community,” Neville emphasised. “It’s not there to sit as a glorified piece of building. It’s there to be used and enjoyed by everyone.”

As Neville reflected on his years of service, he expressed a sense of fulfilment and pride. “We did what we did,” he said. “We just hope people are happy with it.”