General News
29 May, 2026
Wareek hall gets upgraded
The Wareek Public Hall has received an upgrade thanks to grant funding.
Wareek’s over century-old community hall has recently received an upgrade, one among many in the shire, thanks to grant funding.
The much-welcomed works included security upgrades to doors, locks and lighting, plus a small awning verandah and a new concrete ramp for wheelchair access.
The $16,000 project was made possible thanks to joint funding from the Victorian Government’s Tiny Towns Fund, Central Goldfields Shire Council, and the Wareek Public Hall Committee.
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said the funding was intended to help small communities sustain themselves and thrive into the future.
“That’s why this fund is my favourite fund that the Victorian Government has because it just goes a long way,” she said.
Wareek Public Hall Committee president John Rowland said it’s little upgrades like these that support the district.
Since its founding in 1914, the hall’s use may have waned ,but it still plays an important role in community life — as a meeting place for the local fire brigade and monthly afternoon teas for the community.
“It’s just a get together for the locals because these days you don’t see them as much as what you used to,” he said.
Ms Haylett said halls are the heart of small rural communities like Wareek.
“It’s a proud thing for any small community to have a meeting place, a place to come together to do trivia, to have morning teas together, to share memories and stories and stay connected. That’s what we want, for people to stay connected, and to have these beautiful assets for many years,” she said.
Mr Rowland has a generational connection to the hall going back over a century.
He said his grandfather was amongst the hall’s guarantors in 1914, the same man who turned on the power for the first time in the 1960s, while his mum was the oldest resident for the centenary in 2014.
Now he continues that legacy as a long-time committee member.
The day of the official funding visit, he arrived early and mowed the lawns — reflecting local pride in the asset.
“We’re just trying to keep the hall in good order and keep it useable,” he said.
“It’s just a community service.”
Central Goldfields Shire mayor Ben Green said state and federal funding is critical for the local council to deliver new and upgraded infrastructure.
“We are grateful to the Victorian Government and Member for Ripon Martha Haylett for this funding to deliver these really important projects for our community,” he said.
“Thanks also to the council staff who led the funding applications and have managed the upgrade works in direct partnership with local communities.”
In June 2024, council announced funding had been secured for seven projects, adding two more in May last year.
Projects have already been delivered in Adelaide Lead, Bealiba, Majorca, Bowenvale, Dunolly, Talbot, Carisbrook, and now Wareek.
Works are underway at the Talbot ANA Hall with the Daisy Hill Community Centre next on the list.
Talbot ANA Hall’s works total $100,000 covering restumping, structural repairs, floor re-laying and associated works.
Daisy Hill Community Centre’s works will include new kitchen cabinetry and benchtops costing $16,000.