Samford Farmers’ Hall remains heart of village almost 100 years on

IT TOOK a concerted community effort to create the place that has hosted celebrations and events at Samford for almost 100 years. And this landmark is still at the heart of village life.

Samford Farmers' Hall Association president Geoffrey Ewing. Photo: Dominika Lis.

IT TOOK a concerted community effort to create the place that has hosted celebrations and events at Samford for almost 100 years. The history of the Samford Farmers’ Hall is testament to the strength of the community it continues to serve. An overcrowded ball at the Samford School prompted a group of farmers to search for a bigger venue for social events. A building committee was formed and a disused hall at Lutwyche was bought, with money donated by the community, and dismantled so it could be moved and erected on its present site. Builder Tom Clapham was paid £ 157 to do the work with the help of an army of volunteers from the community. Small parts were transported on spring wagons, planks of timber came by rail and the hall, then called the Farmers’ Social Hall, was in full use soon after the arrival of the train service in June 1918.

The Samford Farmers' Hall, known as the Farmers' Social Hall, in the 1920s. Photo: courtesy of Samford Museum.

The Samford Farmers’ Hall Association president Geoffrey Ewing says it is still used for weddings, community fundraising events, parties and by sporting and community groups. “Part of the hall is used every day of the week,” Geoffery says. “These things are integral to the cohesion of the community.”

The Samford Farmers’ Hall Association was formed in 2007. Before then the building had been managed by a board of trustees.

The first trustees go back to the beginning in 1918. In almost 80 years, there have been only 21 trustees.

“We tend to have people who hang around. I think it is a sense of community. We all enjoy living here and see a value in a hall like this for the community,” Geoffrey says.

Samford Farmers' Hall. Photo: Dominika Lis.

These days, there are six people on the committee. They are passionate about preserving the hall’s character but ensuring it is still functional so the community will continue to use it.

“It’s something to do with the character of the building. There are not a lot that have been maintained in this way anywhere. People have a real affection for it.”

Major renovations in 1993 included a new floor and about seven years ago a lift was added. There have also been electrical upgrades and the hall has recently been repainted inside and out.

Samford District Historical Museum research officer Eileen Kemp says the museum has builder Tom Clapham’s workbook showing the materials used.

The hall is stop No. 6 on the Samford Village Heritage Trail . The trail is a collaboration between the Samford Museum, the Rotary Club of Samford Valley and the Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Samford Farmers' Hall Association president Geoffrey Ewing. Photo: Dominika Lis.