Kyabram Town Hall’s first exhibitionist reminisces history of hall

To celebrate, the dedicated volunteers are throwing a soirée to celebrate, with an expected appearance from an important individual in the hall’s history.

Mrs Harvie played a big role in kickstarting the Save the Town Hall movement in 2013, when she announced her desire to donate her collection of vintage garments for exhibitions.

Mrs Harvie had always been a seamstress and over the years had built up a collection of period garments ranging from Edwardian underwear to Victorian gowns.

In February 2013, a single exhibition of Mrs Harvie’s collection at Warramunda kicked off a 10-year journey that has made the Kyabram Town Hall to what it is today.

“At our final night of the exhibition … that was when we made the suggestion that if we could find (the clothes) a home, we would give (the collection) to the town,” Mrs Harvie said.

Following that night, a group formed with the sole purpose of saving the Kyabram Town Hall to house the garments.

At that time, the hall had occasionally been used since the disbandment of the Kyabram Council in 1994.

Within one year, the Kyabram Town Hall was in the hands of the artists, with permission from Campaspe Shire Council to begin renovations – but there was just one problem.

“When we walked in, we fell through the floor,” Mrs Harvie said.

“It was a shocking mess.”

Undeterred by the dilapidated state – from crumbling floors to pervasive grime – a dedicated volunteer team breathed new life into the town hall in an astounding two-month transformation.

The Kyabram Town Hall opened on November 7, 2014, and has been a bustling hub for artists and exhibitions with patrons coming to view works from as far as Canada, Mrs Harvie said.

“We had busloads of people coming from far and wide to see works at the town hall,” she said.

Mrs Harvie had a permanent exhibition at the Kyabram Town Hall for four years, changing once every three months.

“I would take three months to gather and fix clothes for the next exhibition, and once that one was up, I would begin on the next one,” she said.

“I was going in six days a week, but my garden was falling to pieces, and I had no time at home – I loved what I was doing – but I was just tired.”

She decided to step away from duties at the town hall, bringing along with her the garments because the town hall did not have the capacity or resources to provide the care the historic clothing needed to preserve them.

She does not take any of her memories in her short four years at the gallery for granted.

“When I look back, I realise I’ve forgotten so much because we did so much,” Mrs Harvie said.

She recalled the hall group getting into town politics by saving the toilets out the back of the gallery and unsuccessfully attempting to rally for a roundabout on the corner of Saunders and Allan Sts.

She remembered selling out the Kyabram Plaza Theatre for a showing of the film The Dressmaker, alongside an exhibit that showcased that period’s clothing, and when she created an exhibit around the Irish potato famine.

Her more cherished memories though lay with seeing groups of people walk into the gallery with wonder in their eyes looking at her exhibits.

“I’m sad to say I don’t miss (the gallery), but I miss meeting all the people and I miss going back into history through clothes,” Mrs Harvie said.

Mrs Harvie rarely visits the art gallery nowadays; however, there was one special instance that had her visiting her old stomping ground.

History repeated itself when Lexie Zobec, Mrs Harvie’s great-granddaughter was featured in an exhibition, Art, Paintings and Textiles by Young Artists in the Isobel Harvie gallery.

“I think she sold about six paintings ... some of those kids are extraordinary, and I think that’s the future of the gallery,” Mrs Harvie said.

Mrs Harvie will make an appearance at the galleries 10th anniversary celebration on Thursday, November 7.

“I think all the work that the volunteers did over the years is just extraordinary, so it will be good to see everyone again,” she said.

The 10th anniversary celebration will run from 5.30pm to 7pm inside the Kyabram Town Hall Gallery with drinks and refreshments available, with all invited to attend.