History of The Twyford

The lands and waters of the Djiringanj people include the northern shoreline of Lake Merimbula, where First Nations people gathered to fish, hunt, meet, share food, dance and sing for thousands of years. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging and to all First Nations people who continue to gather and perform in this place.

Twyford Hall in Merimbula NSW was built in 1931, long serving as a space for community events, celebrations, markets, the arts and so much more.

In the beginning, a trust was established for the hall on behalf of the community of Merimbula, when a title of land was donated by Merimbula resident Joseph W.Twyford in 1931, who had been raised in the seaside village from his childhood years.

With a population of only around 150 people, the Merimbula community built the hall in 10 months after the tireless efforts of the committee to raise enough money for its construction. It was built during the depression, through Merimbula residents’ tenacity to achieve their vision.

Timeline

Shell middens dating back thousands of years are located under the venue, and care was taken during construction of the new Theatre between 2020-2023 to involve local community and the Bega Aboriginal Land Council in examining the site and protecting any artifacts found. Similar middens near the Pambula River have been dated to at least 3000 years old.

1931

• Trust established when Title of land transferred from Joseph W.Twyford in May 1931.
• Debentures at 6 per cent raised for building to be known as Twyford Hall.
• Trustees  J.W.Twyford, Sydney Ford & E.T.Boller
• 8 June 1931: Foundation stone laid for Twyford Hall by Joseph Twyford
• Construction over 10 months during the Depression
• Opening of the Hall at 10pm on 9 December 1931 by Mr W.W. Hedges MLA, following a Grand Ball with the Imperial Dance Band, a special Ball Supper served in unique cabaret style, and the presentation of debutantes. Gents pay 5 shillings, Ladies 2/6.

From The Bega District News: Mon 14 Dec 1931 (Source: Trove – NLA)

“OPENING OF TWYFORD HALL, MERIMBULA
Wednesday night last will be long remembered as the biggest in the. history of Merimbula, for it marked the greatest gathering on record there, and the opening of Twyford Hall, a fine, spacious, and handsome brick building. Merimbula in the early days was the port for the whole of Bega district and of Southern Monaro, and during recent years has come well to the front as a tourist resort, particularly for residents of Southern Monaro, quite a number of whom have built cottages there, and now, instead of the wool teams from Monaro “which made the port a busy place in years gone by,” the luxurious cars” of Monaro people come and go. Most of the first settlers in these parts made their first acquaintance with the district, when they landed from the little schooners that traded there from Sydney, and some of the immigrants from the other side of the world came direct to Merimbula. With its beautiful winding lake, golden beaches, picturesque headlands, and. the great Pacific, the panorama from the hill approaching the village is one of the finest on the South Coast, and on an area abounding in scenic beauty that is saying a lot. The population of Merimbula is small, but they are a live and enterprising community, and probably nowhere else in this State would be found in any similar village, a hall to compare with that just erected; It is of brick, made from clay only a few hundred yards foom ths site, and Mr Twyford, an authority on the locality, tells us that for 60 years or more the/ residents there had been looking for clay suitable for bricks, and although they “had walked over it for all those years they did not know it existed. It remained for Messrs Stafford brothers, the well-known Bega brickmakers, to discover it. The hall is on a central site close to the great Moreton Bay fig tree, planted nearly 70 years sgo, which is familiar, to all visitors, and which Mr Twyford claims to be the biggest of its kind in Australia. Mr Twyford donated the land, a generous, gift so much appreciated that it was decided to name the hall after him. The hall is 49ft x 28, with a stage 20ft by 28ft, and provision has been made for later on adding six feet of the stage to the’ adjoining space.

The committee has certainly looked ahead, for the hall will be more than ample for any ordinary functions for years to come; although on Wednesday night it was filled to overflowing. The interior has been well finished, and there is certainly no public hall in these parts to compare with it. At night it is splendidly lighted, by what we were told is: “Quicklight.” Ample windows and ventilation are provided, and there is a convenient kitchenette, with a pass-in window, allowing of supper being served on the spacious stage with every convenience. Later on it is intended to erect a supper room. On Wednesday night people came from long distances to be present at the opening ceremony, and the residents were delighted at the response to their invitation. From as far away as Dalgety, Cooma, Nimmitabel, Bombala, on the west, from Bodalla, Cobargo, and Bega, on the north, and from Kiah, Towamba, and Eden on the south, and from the adjacent towns of Pambula. Wolumla, and Wyndham and from Candelo they came in droves, and over 300 people paid for admission to the hall, the takings totalling about £57. The residents had worked almost day and night for some time to have everything in order, but they were well rewarded by the great attendance and by the appreciation of the visitors. Dancing was carried on enthusiastically to the music of the Imperial dance orchestra, with extras by Mrs Dare and Mr Basil Dean, and despite the crushing and the heat everybody enjoyed themselves to the utmost. Mr Chapman, Bega’s erstwhile baker, who is one of the leading spirits of Merimbula, was master of ceremonies, and kept everything up to the mark. The opening ceremony took place before supper.

Mr Walter Godfrey, president of the committee, said they had been looking forward for years to this big undertaking, and when Mr. Twyford generously offered them the land they began to think that it would be possible to build the hall. They had a carnival which brought in £100, and, then a canvass of the town resulted in sufficient debentures being taken up to provide the necessary money. The tender for building was let to Sir Barwjck of Cooma, at a very reasonable price and he must, say that they were very fortunate in getting Mr Barwick, for the hall was a credit to him. Mr Godfrey paid tribute to the support accorded the movement by people in the outside districts. They greatly appreciated that they had built the hall as big as they could afford, and people said they were game. They were pleased to have Mr Hedges there to open it. The people of Merimbula were very proud of their member. He wished to add that they had had the Press of the district behind them in the movement, and they had helped a lot. To mention the names of those who had helped might get him into trouble, but he could say that the residents had worked hard and whole-heartedly. He thanked the great gathering for coming along to give them such a fine kick-off.

Mr E. T. Boller referred to the splendid work put into the building by Mr Barwick. They really had not paid him enough, and Mr Barwick wanted the hall to look better than provided in the specifications. They would not have been able to build the hall if Mr Twyford had not donated the land. For years they had been endeavoring to obtain a site. Mr Twyford had told him that he gave £200 for the fig tree adjoining the hall, and he was very proud of it. Mr Twyford had seen that tree taken out of a little pot and planted there over 60 years ago. Mr Boller thanked the people for coming along. Merimbula was not a little village of their own, but belonged to the whole district. Their bureau had spent a lot of money on improvements, and there had also been a lot of voluntary labor. They liked to see the people from inland coming there. He had been at Merimbula for nine years and the place had almost doubled in that time. The whole district should be proud of the hall, which had been named in honor of their respected townsman, Mr J. W. Twyford.

Mr Twyford, who received an ovation, said he had never made a speech in his life, and the other speakers had taken the wind out of his sails. He thanked the all. In that great gathering he saw many old friends from other towns he had lived in and he took their presence as a compliment. In donating the site for the hall he wanted a monument after he was dead. He had lived at Merimbula when a boy, in the days when you could catch fish by the hand in the lake, and when there were no such things as fishing nets, and in the days when you could shoot wild ducks in the lagoon behind his shop any night. After being away for 40 years, and after his family had married, he said he would go back to the old place. He was proud of the hall, and if other places had working bees like Merimbula they could have similar halls.

Mr Hedges, M.L.A., who was accompanied by Mrs Hedges, said they were delighted to be present. The hall was a credit, and went to show what could be done by co-operation of the people. His wife had said that afternoon that the hall was the best for any town of the size that she had seen. It would be a lasting memorial to Mr Twyford, a generous and honorable Australian gentleman. He trusted the people in the years to come “would remember that. It was wonderful in times such as the present for them to raise so much money. Mr Boller had said Merimbula was one of the beauty spots of the district. All he could say was that Monaro people considered it one of the beauty spots of the world, and it was rapidly becoming the summer resort of people from the Tableland. Mr Hedges paid a tribute to the work of the ladies, and told the story of two inebriated men, one of whom, as they were going home, said there was a lady and a man in the moon. The other said that was rubbish, there was no woman there, but the other replied that there must be a woman there, otherwise the man would not have stayed there so long. They could not have built the hall without the assistance of the ladies The people by their presence that night had given a wonderful response. He wished to stress the credit that was due to the enterprise of the people and the generosity of Mr Twyford. Mr Hedges told another story of the man who, when he returned home after a night out, and was kissed by his wife, wondering whether it was a kiss of affection or investigation. He and his wife belonged to the country, and liked to be with the country people, especially at a country dance. He had much pleasure in declaring Twyford Hall open.

Cheers were given for the hall.

The ladies had prepared an elaborate supper, which was served on nicely decorated tables on the stage, and despite the big number to be catered for there was more than sufficient for all, and although the work occupied some hours all passed off smoothly, and the ladies, who had been at work for days, were still smiling at the finish.

It was a great night, and every body fully enjoyed it. We understand that the hall cost in the vicinity of £700.

The ball secretaries were Mesdames Chapman, Godfrey, and Maunder, and Mr ‘C. Schafer, with Mr O. Tortice hall secretary. Mr Boller and Mrs Tortice were ticket-sellers, and Messrs Norm Munn and G. Kauter doorkeepers, assisted by Messrs H. Cole, D. Beasley, and S. Ford.

The timber in the flooring is of woollybutt, from Mr Innes’ Bega-Tanja mill.”

1936

“The Twyford Hall committee has installed a 4 h.p. 1500 watt electric lighting plant in the hall, and a big ball is to be held next week to celebrate the occasion. Cr. Wiles, President of Imlay Shire, has been invited to perform the switching-on ceremony.”
– The Southern Record and Advertiser 17 July 1936

“At the fifth annual meeting in connection with the Twyford Hall, the Secretary (Mr. O. G. Tortice) reported that the liabilities had been reduced to £ 104. Income for the year was £149. Mr. R. C. Munn, who was elected President for the ensuing year, said it was his ambition to wipe off the deficit during the year.” – The Southern Record and Advertiser 31 July 1936

Progress is the watchword at Merimbula, says the Voice. The Twyford Hall committee are so well abreast of debenture payments in reduction of the hall debt (now only about £200) that Mr. J. Chirnside has generously offered to guarantee up to £200 for an electric lighting plant, provided that it is installed within six weeks. The offer has been gratefully accepted, and with the improved lighting system the Merimbula dances will soon become more popular than ever.

1939

• Mrs Sarah Twyford (Joseph Twyford’s widow) makes a bequest from her estate for a front porch, two small rooms and a Supper Room to be built.
• Bega District News 25 May 1939 (Source Trove NLA)
  “MERIMBULA
  The committee and secretaries of Twyford Hall, Merimbula, are making every effort to make the opening ball a big success. Not many villages along the coast can boast such a fine building as the Twyford Hall, and the residents are proud of their edifice. Another 200 feet of dancing space has been added to an already spacious floor. The supper room, one of the new additions, is over 40 feet long and about 16 feet wide. The new porch comprises a roomy entrance, with cloak rooms on either side. Friday night’s opening dance should be one of the biggest attractions of the year. The decorations have been entrusted to Mr Rex Sanderson, who, with a willing band of helpers, should make the interior something out of the usual. A euchre tournament will provide entertainment for the non-dancers.”

1946

• Land adjoining Twyford Hall (now the site of the Market St shops and the Theatre) purchased by the Trust.

1947

• Plans and specifications for the Twyford Hall memorial wing supplied by R. Thatcher of Bega

1962

• The Twyford Hall Soldiers Memorial Wing and Porch is erected by Jack Pike to commemorate those from Merimbula who served in World Wars One and Two and is opened on 15 December 1962. The Soldiers Memorial Wing and porch were built with a bequest from Sarah Twyford in memory of the Merimbula Soldiers who served in World War One. Honour Rolls from both World Wars are located on the front of the building. The original plaque from the Soldiers Memorial Wing was removed in 2020 to allow for the theatre building works and will be returned to a new position soon. 
• Anzac Day services held in front of hall (photo courtesy Christine Kaine)

1980

• 11 January New Constitution approved by the Trustees:
  1. The name of the Hall shall be “ Twyford Hall”
  2.The object of the Hall shall be to provide a place of public entertainment, social functions, meetings, the delivery of lectures, church services and for such other purposes as the management committee may from to time decide.
• 17 January Trusteeship transferred to Shire of Imlay
• Imlay Shire amalgamated and Bega Valley Shire becomes the Trustee.
• Land remains “community land”
• S 355 Committee established to manage Hall

1985

John Stewart outlines Theatre Vision

1986

Bill Deveril joins Committee

1992

Roslyn Thompson joins committee

1994

Peter Went joins committee

1995

• Plans for a new theatre drawn up by Philip Harmer Pty Ltd Clifton Hill VIC at the request of John Stewart, President of the Twyford Hall committee.
• Town Centre Studies recommend Twyford Hall be pulled down.
• Long history of community involvement with no Government funding.

1996

• New Constitution established for the Committee on creation of Bega Valley Shire Council

1997

Development Application lodged with Bega Valley Shire Council to construct a Theatre adjacent to heritage listed Twyford Hall.

1999

• BVSC resolved that Council proceed with the determination of the current Development Application of Twyford Hall.

2001

• John Stewart resigns as President of the Committee after 25 years service and Bill Deveril takes over as President
• Bega Valley Shire Council Loan for $250,000 to Committee approved for building of Shops next to Hall.

2002 – 2004

• Retail Shops on Market Street side built with Loan Funds from Council – designed by Murray Watts

2007

• 7 August: Development Application for Theatre Twyford approved by Council

2009

• Modification of Development Request for Construction of Entertainment Establishment: Theatre

2010

• Shop building Loan Repaid to Council
• 1 June 2010: Twyford Hall Incorporates as an association with the NSW Office of Fair Trading. Bill Deveril President, Bernard Shea Public Officer.
• 9 Nov 2010: Twyford Hall Inc Plan of Management approved by Council

2011

• Construction begins on Toilet facilities of new complex.
• Management Agreement between Council and Twyford Hall Incorporated signed.

2012

• New toilets completed.

2014

• Twyford Hall Inc appoints Michael Marshman and Associates to draw up plans for new Theatre

2015

• 1 May 2015: Twyford Hall Inc approaches NSW Government for funding request for new Theatre
• Cost Benefit Analysis for Theatre Project drawn up by Raoul Cramer of Econtext
• Michael Marshman commissioned to proceed with Development Application
• Commercial kitchen refurbishment designed by Michael Marshmann opened by The Hon Mr Andrew Constance, Member for Bega and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport on 9 Dec 2015. Built at a cost of $150,000,  with a $50,000 grant from the NSW Govt Community Building Partnership Program, $6,600 from Bega Valley Shire Council, $3700 from Bendigo Bank Pambula and remaining funds from retail shops’ rent.

2017

• Imagine Night held – fundraising event for Theatre build involving Frankie J Holden, Marta Dusseldorp and Ben Winspear at which $70,000 pledged from local community including $40,000 from Spectrum Theatre Group
• Pro bono theatre performance to raise funds “How Sweet It Is” performed by Frankie J Holden and Michelle Pettigrove and the Willis Brothers.
• Legal opinion sought by committee on charitable trust through Daniel McInerney
• Sponsorship agreement with Bendigo Bank for a series of fundraising theatrical performances through Bernard Shea
• Deed of Management renewed between Twyford Hall Inc and the trustee – Bega Valley Shire Council

2018

• Loan from Peter Pinzone for $50,000
• Adoption of Corporate Governance Plan developed by Twyford Hall Inc’s John Beever
• Notice of Endorsement of Deductible Gift Recipient Status and Admission to Register of Cultural Organisations
• Bega Valley Shire Council recognises existence of The Twyford Trust
• Application for $7.4m by Twyford Hall Inc to Regional Communities Development Fund
• Announcement by NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Development, John Barilaro and Bega MP Andrew Constance that the NSW State Government will grant $7.4 million from the Regional Communities Development Fund to build the new Theatre Twyford.

2019

• Funding deed signed and funds released by NSW Government’s Dept of Premier and Cabinet, to enable Theatre Twyford building project to commence.
• Donald Cant Watts Corke appointed as Project Managers for the theatre building project with Charles Cooper and Chris Ball representing Twyford Hall Inc on the Building Subcommittee.
• Winning Building tender Monarch Building Solutions announced in December 2019 by Member for Bega The Hon Andrew Constance MP as Monarch Building Solutions. Deputy Mayor Sharon Tapscott and THI President Bill Deveril were also present.
• Lis Shelley appointed as Operations Manager for The Twyford
• Twyford Hall Inc registers the trademark THE TWYFORD in recognition of the new branding of the site to reflect the Hall and Theatre as separate spaces within the one complex.
• Twyford Hall Inc applies to ACNC to receive registered charity status.

2020

• Severe bushfires result in the evacuation of areas around Merimbula and the forced exclusion of tourists to the region, causing the cancellation of events at the Hall over the summer. Fire damage to the highway to the south closes border traffic for several months.
• The contract for the new theatre construction is signed on 22 January by THI President Bill Deveril (L) and Public Officer Bernard Shea (R) with Vice President Charles Cooper (centre).

• Over the month of March, the demolition of the old toilet brick toilet block and green room is completed and the Hall stage is shortened to allow builders access to the rear of the hall and to build a new truck-accessible loading dock.
• An old theatre chair is found under the floorboards.

• Construction begins and the concrete foundations of the new theatre are poured on 29 April 2020.

• The supper room is also shortened to make way for a new fire sprinkler pump room on the south west corner of the Hall.
• The Hall’s box office becomes the new electrical switchboard room and the Hall bio box becomes the Tech Room for the entire complex.
• The COVID-19 pandemic forces the closure of almost all public buildings and many businesses from 23 March 2020 including Twyford Hall. Construction of the theatre continues with social distancing and hygiene measures. The pandemic continues to cause lockdowns, event cancellations, delays and building closures for the next 3 years.
• At its Annual General Meeting, THI members vote in favour of transferring from an incorporated association to a not-for-profit company-limited-by-guarantee registered with the ACNC, in view of the increasing assets under management of the entity in line with Fair Trading NSW’s recommendations.

2021

• Construction work continues on the new theatre as building activities are mostly exempt from lockdowns, however supplies are often delayed. COVID restrictions and a state-wide lockdown cause more disruptions and cancellations of events.
• Construction work is paused on site until services connections can be resolved and more funding can be found.
• The transfer to a company-limited-by-guarantee is completed and Twyford Hall Inc becomes The Twyford Hall Complex Limited. The new Board meets for the first time on 6 September 2021. Board members are Frankie J Holden OAM (Chair), Greg Brackenreg (Company Secretary), Lucas Scarpin (CFO), Helen O’Neil, Christine Kaine, Charles Cooper and John Beever.
• The Twyford receives a grant of $72000 from the NSW government to upgrade stage lighting and sound in the heritage listed Hall as well arts grants of $30000 from Live Music Australia and $191910 from the federal Office of the Arts to assist with presenting live music and touring theatre shows in the venue, when COVID pandemic restrictions ease.
• The Hall reopens for limited events in November 2021.
• High speed NBN fibre to the premises is installed in readiness for the new Theatre to enable streaming of live events.

2022

• The Hall sound and lighting upgrade is completed thanks to a Club Infrastructure grant, with new power and communications cabling connecting the Hall stage, new Tech Room (old biobox) and tech operator position at the rear of the Hall. The Hall Stage area modified during the adjacent theatre build receives a new ceiling and is repainted.

• Public Works NSW takes on the role of project manager to complete the new Theatre build as new funding is provided by the NSW Government.
• Hodgson Constructions appointed to complete the Theatre build.
• Electrical, water and sewerage connections are connected to the new Theatre and a driveway is built to the new loading dock.
• NBN fibre to the premises installed for Internet access and to enable live streaming to/from the venue
• Name of the complex changed to THE TWYFORD to reflect the multiple spaces to be available (Hall, Theatre etc)
• THE TWYFORD trademarked
• First round of Live At The Twyford music events staged in the Hall thanks to $30000 funding from Live Music Australia
• 2022 Events in the Hall

2023

• PA People and GCLX install the theatre drapes, sound and lighting equipment
• Work progresses on Stage 2 of the theatre build under Public Works and Hodgson Constructions
• More Live At The Twyford events staged in the Hall thanks to funding from Live Music Australia.
• 2023 Events held in the Hall

2024

• Work progresses on Stage 2 of the theatre build
• Light Up The Twyford event hosted by the builder on the Winter solstice to preview the Theatre to members and selected guests
• Festival Australia funding enables Bio-Lumeniscence Youth Project by Scott Baker to create an illumination display on the front of the new Theatre.
• Gerry Corcoran of GCLX appointed as part time Technical Manager
• 2024 Events

2025

• Fire Certification and Building Certification finalised in March 2025
• Occupancy Certificate received for Theatre
• Soft opening of Theatre with comedian Troy Kinne and the Sapphire Coast Concert Band the opening acts for the new Theatre
• Community Open Day held with tours of the Theatre and Official Opening by Dr Michael Holland (NSW Member for Bega), THe Hon Kristie McBain (Federal Member for Eden Monaro) and Deputy Mayor Mitchell Nadin in attendance.
• Second round of Live At The Twyford concerts staged with regional musicians thanks to funding from Live Music Australia
• The Twyford Hall Complex Ltd applies for but does not receive multiyear funding for its operations.
• 2025 Events

2026

• The Board of The Twyford Hall Complex requests that the current trustee, Bega Valley Shire Council, takes over management of The Twyford.
• 2026 Events