Kiah hall to celebrate 60 years

The hall was legendary for its balls and dances, with the women decked out in their finest long evening gowns or “ballerina” dresses.

In the 1950s and '60s, gypsies travelling through would camp beside the hall, as did the travelling medicine man.

And this Saturday, November 11, the hall will once again be filled with bonhomie as the 60th anniversary of the opening of Kiah hall is celebrated.  

Resident Shirley McKenna-Rixon said Kiah hall represented many of the great traditions in the rural history of the Sapphire Coast.

"Originally the Princes Highway passed by the doorsteps of Kiah Hall where many functions and many families from the local area celebrated together," Ms McKenna-Rixon said.

"Names such as Bobbin, Goward, Harris, McGovern, McKenna, McMahon, Miller, Paine, Sirl and Whelan were among the local families involved in the construction of the hall back in 1957, she said.

Ms McKenna-Rixon said Kiah was a farming community back when the hall opened.

"Jack McMahon had a dairy farm, his brothers Jim and Austy farmed seasonal beans and peas, and employed many locals, including Aboriginal families, as pickers,” she said. "The Harris family grew corn, the Gowards grew crops."

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the hall's opening in 1957, the Friends of Kiah Hall Committee have invited people to join in a festive evening’s entertainment with live music, old time and popular dances, food, historic information display, prizes, and community spirit on Saturday evening, starting at 7pm.

Beryl McGovern, who was born at Kiah in 1938, will cut the anniversary cake.

Whether its rekindling old friendships or mingling with new arrivals to Kiah, this is a golden opportunity to share in this special occasion.

A $10 door charge includes supper; BYO drinks.

Tickets are available from Eden Newsagency.