The small rural community lost its pub on Valentine’s Day 2000. As the Memorial Hall was in a state of disrepair and too costly to restore, local residents got together to raise funds for a new entertainment centre to replace the old hall.

Yerong Creek Hall Committee president Tony Yates said the local community has raised $105,000 at fish and chip nights, goods and services auctions and catering for funerals and clearing sales.

Henty Community Financial Services donated $68,000, Lockhart Shire Council $60,000 and a further $39,000 was earmarked by Lockhart Shire Council from the first stimulus package.

A $246,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Infrastructure Program has ensured the project can steam ahead.

“With over half a million to construct the entertainment centre we can afford to pay wages for local tradesmen to build it which is the whole idea behind the infrastructure program,” Tony Yates said.

Lockhart Mayor Peter Yates congratulated the local residents whose fund raising efforts had reached a target of $105,000 after starting with $7,000 in 2002.

“It’s a credit for a small community such as Yerong Creek to raise this amount of money especially with the drought lingering on,” he said.

“All the ladies were committed to the fish and chip nights and it was a credit to them.”

As a 355 committee of council, the hall committee has worked in partnership with the shire to achieve its goals.

“The plan is to build an entertainment centre catering for 160-180 people, a new kitchen and outside decking,” the mayor said.

Long time resident Colin Hagen, a member of the hall committee is delighted the new entertainment centre will become a reality. “My two daughters wanted to be married in Yerong Creek but there was no place where people can have a private function at the weekend,” he said.

Although there are a few hurdles to climb, and issues to resolve such as building a public building on private land, the hall committee can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Members plan to work with the Bowling Club Board and administration on a Memorandum of Understanding.

Mr Tony Yates hopes to see construction start in August and completed well within the next 12 months. “It would be good to have it ready for summer,” he said enthusiastically.