President of the centre, John Ross was very pleased with the opening. 

“It was really successful; we had Member for Albury Greg Aplin there to open it as he has been responsible for the sub grant we received,” Mr Ross said. 

The grant was part of a community building partnership which gave the Lifestyle Centre $45,000 towards their project.

“There are always a lot more applicants than there are grants but we like to see the money going to the projects which will benefit the communities the most,” Mr Aplin said. 

The opening included a display by the local art group and Historical Society who are hall users as well as gym equipment put on view. 

“The aim is to look after the younger people in town,” Mr Ross said. 

“We want this to be a drop-in centre where they can come and get rid of energy.

“It’s a preventative health measure; we want to get people fitter.  If you’re three or 93, it doesn’t matter what age, the centre caters for it.”

Greater Hume Shire Council was represented at the opening by mayor Heather Wilton, deputy mayor Doug Meyer OAM and general manager Steve Pinnuck.

Henty locals Neville Taylor and Les Dale were both presented with illuminated addresses by Cr Wilton to thank them for their hard work and dedication to the Memorial Hall which now houses the Henty & District Lifestyle Centre. 

“An illuminated address is a framed writing explaining what they’ve done and it is a great recognition of their commitment,” Mr Ross said. 

“We aren’t changing the name of the hall, it will always be the Memorial Hall but with the Lifestyle Centre inside.”

Mr Taylor was secretary treasurer of the Memorial Hall for 27 years while Mr Dale was president for over 20 years. 

Further work is expected to start within the next month, weather permitting, with stage two being the gym followed in the future by upstairs in stage three.