The Mercury – Thursday 17 January 1924. – Page 10

Set right in the heart of Lutana, the village hall is something of which Lutana villagers, can be justly proud. It is surrounded by fine grounds, where the younger members of the village can enjoy themselves. The interior of the hall is compact, yet allows a maximum of floor space, and a substantial stage at one end of the building gives to the inside a completeness of purpose-that of providing varied recreation.

The official opening of the hall took place last night. Major A. W. Hutchin, chairman of the village committee, stated that he had the honour and privilege of voicing the feelings of the people at Lutana on this occasion. It gave them pleasure to find that people from such a wide area had been sufficiently interested to come along. It was some two years ago, he said, since they had asked Mr Gepp to come and plant the first tree.  During the two years the village had progressed very considerably; more homes had been built by the company and rented to the colleagues at the works, and in the village they had the first community institution. They had been accused of living a long way out of town, and a hall like this was really a necessity to the communal life. The village people had watched this hall grow, and in its finished state regarded it with unmeasured pride. Incidentally, in regard to the educational aspect of the community life, he mentioned that the committee, who had been discussing ways and means in connection with the conduct of the hall, had been in touch with the education authorities with regard to having a kindergarten, and this had now been concluded. On Monday morning the kindergarten teacher and the furniture would be at the hall. With regard to the conduct of the kindergarten, the teacher would need the sympathetic co-operation of the parents themselves. They must assist the teacher if they were going to make the kindergarten a success. (Hear, hear.) The second community institution was well on the way. The builders had promised by March 1 the completion of the co-operative store and in that store they would endeavour to provide the necessaries of life. When the store commenced active operations he wanted to say, let them all get behind it and support it. He was sure they would all agree that the building was not only a useful but a beautiful building, both the exterior and interior, and he wanted to convoy to the architects and builders hearty congratulations on the result achieved, as they had entered into the spirit of the building, and had done everything they could to forward the aims the villagers had in view. Those who had lived in these parts would recollect that 10 years ago all the country-side was farm land. Since that time a wonderful transformation had taken place. He believed that in duecourse this locality would be the centre of a big zinc working community. Some would be living in the village, some would be building round the village, and the hall had been put there by the company for them. It was not the private property of the people in the village. It was in no small measure due to the personality and ability of the general manager that the transformation had taken place. He, the speaker, did not know the full story, but he knew sufficient to satisfy him that had there been no Mr. Gepp there would have been no zinc industry, or it would not have been anything like they knew it to-day. It was also, he hoped, due to them who had worked alongside Mr. Gepp, to feel that they also had played a useful part in the development of this enterprise. He then presented Mr. Gepp with a framed photograph of the hall, and, on behalf of the Risdon Band, two photographs of the band.

Mr. Quinn, chairman of the Co-operative Council, supported the remarks of Major Hutchin.

Mr. Gepp, in reply, opened his remarks by relating an experience when he was enabled to listen to the wireless station at Auckland speaking to a receiver a great distance away. He stated it occurred to him that, provided Australia, with all its wonderful natural advantages, took care of the health of the population and the wonderful raw material, then probably even the wireless wonders to which he had been listening would be very small compared with what would be achieved in the future. It was only the people who had lived in hard and difficult countries who had come out on top. They must realise that without hard work they were sure to lose their strength, grit, and ability. It was a nice thought for them to have put up the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes. Without the help of their friends from the U.S.A. they could not have built the zinc works. He wanted to say how much he appreciated the kind things they had said. The greatest thing he thought they had done here was not to make zinc, but they were illustrating in a very definite way to Australia that they could build a big industry and yet be friends. The hall was an indication of what co-operation could do, and he hoped it would be the beginning of much greater results. He wished to congratulate the architects and builders for the fine job they had made. He thought the village was destined to be the centre of a very large area, for the people interested in the new industry would congregate, and as the children grew up in such a magnificent area they must appreciate the opportunities they had compared with many children in other parts of the world. He wished to thank the band for their kindly thought. On behalf of the company and staff he had the greatest pleasure in declaring the hall open, and wished them God-speed in all the work that would be done there.

Professor Sir David Orme Masson, of the Melbourne University, in a short speech, stated that many of his pupils had made successes of their lives, but there were none to whom he could point who had done as Mr. Gepp. He was gratified to find the two essentials of good organisation and sound co-operation in regard, to the building of the magnificent zinc industry.

An enjoyable musical programme was rendered by the orchestra, Zinc WorksBand, and Messrs. Martin and Cook.

The Electrode – Vol. 3. January, 1924 No. 1. – page 1

The kids Xmas tree at Lutana Hall was a real winner. What a sight to see 150 little Zincs’ all in the pink having the time of their lives! The gramophone “also ran” – but a bad last.

The Risdon Band is holding weekly dances at the Lutana Hall, on Thursday evenings.

The Hall Committee is holding weekly dances at the Lutana Hall, on Saturday evenings.

The Electrode – Vol. 3. June, 1925 No. 10. – page 285

And kindergartens everywhere are working to dispel the “grey days” – to make all little lives gay and glad, wholesome and happy. Some of the older folk realise this, and pack their “under-sevens” off every morning, but alas! not all parents. Whooping cough and mumps have visited Lutana (as well as other parts of Hobart), so the average percentage of attendance is low for this month – 24. A hearty invitation is extended to all who are interested, but especially to the mothers whose children do not attend, to come any morning and see the little people in kindergarten.

There are miniature chairs and tables and white table cloths and plates for morning lunch; blocks of all sizes, balls and two dolls, reins and coloured wooden beads; and Messrs. W. White and S. Harper have just finished a very nice blackboard for the children to draw on. These two gentlemen have the very hearty thanks of Miss Trappes and the Kindergarten Committee.

Euchre tournaments are still being held every Thursday fortnight to raise funds for the kindergarten, with Mr. T. B. Hack and M.C. The committee thank Mrs. F. Grubb for help in distributing the euchre notices in Lutana. Miss Brownell is helping Miss Trappes to lead the young ideas gently. The subject for this quarter is “People Who Help in the City” which sounds rather advanced perhaps for such small heads, but one remembers that butchers and bakers and candlestick makers give their portion of help in a city, as well as – perhaps – politicians.

My apologies for a scanty contribution this time. A fortnight as Brown’s River has made life rushed since. Doubtless I will have regained the “quiet tenor of my ways” by next issue of “The Electrode.”

The Electrode – Vol. 3. December, 1925 No. 14. – page 395

Dorrie King and Joan Baker have made their mark as amusement promoters, for the concert they put over at the Lutana-hall last month was a real winner. The house was full and the items went with a swing. Friend Bishop did a “stammer” stunt. Another gentleman with a burnt cork face described all the noses he had ever seen. Then there were a little clog dancing, a reel or two, and some well rendered songs. But the kiddies’ choruses were what pleased me most, and they called for the hardest work from the promoters. After the concert, supper and a dance filled in the time until 12 o’clock, and the Hall Funds benefited to the tune of £7 10s., or thereabouts.

Visiting Day for the Lutana Free Kindergarten Wednesday, December 2nd.

Thursday March 25 1926, and held fortnightly on Thursday nights, at Lutana Hall.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. March, 1926 No. 2. – page 56

“A child, more than all other gifts
That earth can offer to declining man,
Brings hope with it, and forward-looking thoughts.”

And so, with hope, “and forward-looking thoughts,” Kindergarten has started, in the New Year, with many fresh little faces and shy little feet, the daily round of song and story, and play which is really character- building.

Character-building has, of course, always been necessary, but

“In the elder days of Art,
Builders wrought with greatest care,
Each minute and unseen part;
For the gods see everywhere.”

now, as long as the outside is fairly presentable, most of us are satisfied.”Life is too short,” we are in such a hurry that we forget the graces, the beauty and the depth of meaning of work really well done, of lives well spent, of literature, and art finely executed.

Kindergarten does not, of course, profess to do all these, but they are part of its ideals.

Children need ideals, when fairies slip away, the little folk who dance in the moonlight, whose enchanting music is always just beyond.

“Flitting, passing, seen and gone,
Never reached nor found at rest,
Baffling search, but beckoning on
To the sunset of the Blest.”

* * * * *

Chase we still, with baffled feet,
Smiling eye and waving hand”

till the faries have vanished away from the little people of six and seven years old, and only the ideals which have crept in, almost unnoticed, are there to fill their place.

And so they find, instead of fairy palaces and gardens, Fancy’s wonderland, a real world about them, deeds to do, fortunes to make – and no one is too small, or too weak to weild a hammer, or carry a stone, in the Building of the World.

“Isn’t it strange,
That princes and kings,
And clowns that caper
In sawdust rings,
And common people,
Like you and me,
Are builders for eternity.

“Each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass,
A book of rules;
And each must make -
Ere life is flown,
A stumbling-block
Or a stepping-stone.”

Lutana has now 36 little builders, under the care of Miss M. V. Trappes, with Miss M. Schaedel and Miss K. Loney to assist her.

There has been a big drop in attendance, as Kindergarten closed for Christmas vacation with 64 on the register. The majority or those who left have “turned seven,” or gone to the new State School Kindergartern at Moonah, which can now take children from 5 years old. Lutana Kindergarten welcomes the little ones from 2 years to seven, and hopes (and expects) the numbers will increase.

Euchre tournaments are again being held fortnightly, and the committee will be very pleased to welcome new friends on Thursday, March 25, at Lutana-hall.

Mr. and Mrs. Meredith kindly offered to donate a pictutre of the King and Queen, but though it seems a “strange anomaly” in so loyal a city as Hobart, the pictures could not be procured. Does anyone know where they can be purchased?

Miss Trappes is expecting new equipment, which was bought with the 10 pounds kindly donated by the Co-operative Council this week; and Mr. Syd. Harper is going to make a new cupboard to keep it in.

Lutana Free Kindergarten Committee Social

3 July 1926

1/6 per person

A Birthday Afternoon Tea at 2:30 p.m. in Lutana Hall to celebrate the Second Anniversary of the opening of Lutana Free Kindergarten.

All parents and friends are invited to attend.

The Electrode – Vol. IV. September, 1926 No. 5 – page 133

Although the revenue shows a falling off, many enjoyable functions have been held in the Hall. The Lutana branch of the Free Kindergarten continues its success, and is well supported.

Thursday 30th December 1926.

About 200 children.

To aid the funds of he Prince of Wales Bay Regatta.

Crowning of the Queen of the Ball.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. February, 1927 No. 7. – page 206

The Lutana Xmas Tree was on view in the Hall on Thursday, 30th December, and about 200 kiddies came along to the party, and were the recipients of toys of various sorts. Messrs. Grubb and Hack and Mr. Joe Bryant helped to organise and carry the function through, and the smiling faces of the youngsters gave them ample reward. Miss Joan Baker and Vera Hack acted as maids-in-waiting to Dear old Daddy Xmas, who found pleasure in saying a word to almost every child present. How the grown-ups wished they were again something less than 12 years of age so that they might have got a balloon or a toy pistol or a kewpie to play with.

Daddy Xmas arrived in the village by Bowen-road, riding in a richly decorated chariot, driven by a funny old gentleman in a paper hat, and Towser, in a green paper collar, sat up beside the driver and acted as escort. He (Daddy Xmas) was given a rousing reception by young and old alike, and well he deserved it, for all the lovely toys he had put on the Xmas tree in the Hall were bound to make him popular. After giving the gifts and distributing sweets, he was suddenly whisked away, and all we can say is that we hope he will come along to Lutana again next year, and give us another good time. Somehow we think it was the Co-operative Council who managed to get him to come this time, and we want to thank them for their kindness. Perhaps Mr. Hare had something to do with it, too, although we did not see him there.

The first display of the Lutana Hall Gymnasium.

Thursday evening, 13 October 1927.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. December, 1927 No. 12. – page 377

The first display of the gymnasium was given by the members on Thursday evening, 13 October, 1927, under the direction of the instructors. There was a fair attendance of parents, and, in addition, Mr. and Mrs. Meredith and several other officials of the Company and their wives were present. A. W. Hutchin was unavoidably absent, but we are pleased to record that he was ably represented by his dog “Towser,” who viewed the proceedings from a prominent position on the stage with languid interest. Messers. Bryant and Bishop had charge of the girls’ and boys’ class respectively, while Mr. Brocklehurst handled the combined team in the games section.

The girls and boys performed splendidly, thus in no small measure recompensing the instructors for the time expended in instruction.

In order to give the parents an idea of how the boxing instruction would be carried out, an exhibition bout was staged between two local lads. The children were greatly excited and enthusiastic when the lads warmed up to their work. Possibly some of the adults were, too. Who knows?

During the evening Mr. Meredith kindly donated two sets of boxing gloves to the gymnasium, and the boys showed their appreciation of the gift in no uncertain manner.

We are now pleased to inform Mr. Meredith that the boys are making use of the gloves, and are on the road to pugilistic success under the able direction of Mr. Dan. Ward.

In the last issue of “The Electorode” mention was made of the keen rivalry between the boys and girls, but their keenness on the night of the display was such that it makes it very difficult to choose between them, so we will call it a tie.

Parents and friends are invited on the afternoon of December 14th 1927 to meet Father Christmas (Wednesday at 3 p.m.).