Hilldale residents recently celebrated the opening of the extensions to their hall adjacent to their Union Church.
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A new church was built in 1957 and the old church was turned into the hall, with the extensions constructed this year.
Discussions for the extensions began in 2007 and in 2010, following talks with Dungog Council, a development application was lodged.
In September 2012 talks began with builder David Ney and work began in July last year.
Don Eyb, who emceed the proceedings said David was the contractor and builder and was assisted by local volunteers.
“A new indoor toilet block replaced the old outdoor one and an extension to the hall has increased the size by 50 per cent,” he said.
“The church and the hall is the last community building in Hilldale.”
The extensions were officially opened and dedicated by Milton Morris AO on Saturday, June 14.
He also planted a Lone Pine Tree from Gallopoli near the flagpole.
Eight residents from Hilldale fought in WW1 and four were killed.
Not long after the war four trees were planted near the church, believed to be in honour of the four that didn’t return.
Those trees died a few years ago and were replaced by tree grown from a seedling from the seeds of the Lone Pine tree at Gallipoli.
The first Union church was built in Hilldale in 1899 with the first service held on October 22, 1899.
The Anglican church supplied preachers every second Sunday until 1901 when the Patterson rector left the district.
Since then the services have been lead by the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches respectively.
The new brick church, built by Glenn Deards of Dungog, was opened on July 27, 1957.
The first wedding in the new church was Daphne Eyb and John Cummings held in 1958.
The hall has received two kitchen extensions, one in 1967 and then in 1991.
A new roof was fitted in 1989.
The hall is a community hall and can be used by anyone in the district.
Primarily it is a church hall but is used for events such as harvest festivals, barbecues and concerts.
The 115th anniversary of the church will be held on Sunday, November 16 from 9am to 7.30pm.
Guest speaker will be Milton’s Morris’ daughter Margaret Livingstone.