Apollo Bay Mechanics Institute Hall
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (09:59): In 1823 Dr George Birkbeck founded the first mechanics institute in Glasgow, Scotland. From the 1850s mechanics institutes quickly spread throughout Victoria wherever a hall, a library or a school was needed. They were the precursors of adult education and libraries in Victoria, and from the beginning mechanics institutes have been run by dedicated volunteers who maintain the venue and facilities and organise community education and events. Mechanics institute halls still prove to be very important social hubs, nurturing community spirit and learning. The Apollo Bay Mechanics Institute Hall is the largest and most historically significant building in Apollo Bay. It stands as a prominent landmark that brings the community together, supporting a strong sense of local identity and pride, and that is why I was so pleased to meet recently with the Apollo Bay mechanics hall committee and thank them for all of their work, particularly Wayne Simmons, Meralyn Stewart and Deb Bradfield, and announce that their application for the Tiny Towns Fund was successful. The Apollo Bay mechanics hall will receive $40,000 for the purchase and installation of new stage lights along with training for those who will be operating them. With the new state-of-the-art stage lighting and audiovisual facilities Apollo Bay mechanics hall is set to continue to serve its community for a wide range of events long into the future. From hall renovations to sporting club upgrades, the Tiny Towns Fund is all about supporting a whole range of our tiny towns throughout western Victoria and Victoria as a whole.