Land had already been set aside for the purpose at the instigation of the Progress Association and [Charles] Cook organised the finance and construction of a roomy weatherboard hall and the opening ceremony was held on 26th January 1905. Decorated by palm fronds and flowers the opening was attended by four parliamentarians and almost every resident in Chidlow.
Swan Express 28 January 1905 (p70)
Back then…
Charles Cook was a remarkable man who chaired many boards and associations in the area including the Chidlow Progress Association which had been formed in 1897. As Chairman of the building committee, in only a few months he raised community finance and construction of the Old Chidlow Hall, which opened on 26 January 1905. He was the town’s first JP and stayed in Chidlow until 1917 when he moved his family to Toodyay.
Soon after the Hall was built, religious services and choir practice were held there instead of at the school and Chidlow’s first public wedding took place on 10 October 1911. Most of the happy social life of the town centred around this building but here too was held a meeting to discuss the diptheria epidemic in 1913.
From the day this building was built it formed an extremely important part of the lives of Chidlowites. All manner of public meetings and entertainments were held in the hall and election time invariably saw all of the local candidates there in turn canvassing votes.
Source: Mundaring A History of the Shire, by Ian Elliot, Shire of Mundaring 1983
The Hall was also the scene of poignant farewell nights for those men of Chidlow who left the town to fight in two world wars. During the first world war numerous concerts and dances were held there to raise money for the war effort. It was also the place of joyful welcome-home parties given for those who returned.
Source: Mundaring A History of the Shire, by Ian Elliot, Shire of Mundaring 1983
The National Trust of Australia in 2009 presented a plaque to the Shire of Mundaring in commemoration of 100 years of service to the community.
Source: Hills Gazette, 24 January, 2009
Today the Chidlow Hall is used for many activities from exercise groups, market days, dance evenings to film nights. It is also the home of the Chidlow & District Sub-Branch RSL, which was established in November 2016, and the Chidlow Cats Basketball Club.
Its maintenance and upgrade is managed by the Chidlow Progress Association Inc (CPA) committee who source the required funding through events, donations and grants. Many volunteers from the community offer their time and services to either clean, paint or repair the hall when needed.