Christ Church Hall, formerly Loyal Pambula Lodge, MUOOF; Presbyterian Church; St. Columba's Uniting Church; Quondola Street, Pambula.

Current status*:	Unlisted. Formerly included in Schedule 6 of the Bega Valley Shire Council’s Local Environment Plan.
Name of item:	Christ Church Hall
Former name/s:	Loyal Pambula Lodge MUOOF Lodge Room; Presbyterian Church; St. Columba’s United Church.
Item type:	Built
Item group/collection:	Religion
Item category:	Church Hall
Street number:	32
Street name:	Quondola Street
Suburb/town:	Pambula
Local Government Area:	Bega Valley Shire
Property description:	Lot 1, DP 237308
Owner category:	Church
Current use:	Church hall
Former use/s:	MUUOF Lodge Rooms; travelling salesmen’s show room; Manchester and drapery store; religious worship;

* Refers to the site's inclusion in Schedule 5 of the Local Environment Plan.

Southerly aspect of St. Columba’s, Pambula, 2006. © Angela George, 2006. Northerly aspect of St. Columba’s, Pambula, 2006. © Angela George, 2006.   St Columba’s, Pambula, showing entry porch, finial and bargeboard details. © Angela George, 2006.

Significance:

Statement of significance: The use of this small building has encompassed a number of community and religious organisations, as well as use by both local and travelling businessmen. This social significance is one that continued virtually uninterrupted from the time of its initial construction of 1913/14 right up until the present day. Further, its place in the development of the commercial community combined with its association with religious and community groups adds to its cultural significance. Visually speaking, it makes an important contribution to the local townscape and streetscape, being located as it is on a main road entering and exiting the town from the southern side. Manner of construction is historically in keeping with the tradition methods used over the years in the Pambula district. Retaining as it does its original weatherboard construction with traditional bargeboards and finials, the building is therefore significant from the point of view that it represents a very typical example of the traditional architectural style and building materials used within the Pambula township.

Level of significance:

Local

Description:

Designer:	Unknown.
Builder:	James Dowling
Physical description:	Small weatherboard built structure with CGI gable roof with entry also of weatherboard construction and CGI gabled roof. Decorative white scalloped bargeboards and turned finials to front and back roof line. Two four pane timber framed double hung sash windows on both sides of building. The structure is currently set on large church grounds between the stone built Anglican Christ Church and the weatherboard built former Anglican rectory. The building is in a typical vernacular Pambula architectural style.
Physical condition:	Excellent.
Construction date/s:	1913
Modifications and dates:
Further comments:	Relocated from its original site at 7 Quondola Street in about 2008.

The wedding of Joyce and Joseph

Lyons at the Manchester Unity

Hall, 1947. The façade of the

building is largely unaltered today.

From the George Family Collection.

History:

Historical notes: The weatherboard building located at 32 Quondola Street was originally erected further up the street as the meeting hall of the local Oddfellows Lodge.   On August 4, 1893, the Pambula Voice stated that it was contemplated to start a branch of the Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows Lodge in Pambula. The following week, the Voice announced a meeting of all those desirous of forming a branch of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity. This was held at the Pambula School of Arts on Tuesday August 15, 1893, and on the motion of Messrs Francis and Fuller, the organisation was established. The same month, a further meeting was held, when a number of intending members paid their initiation fees and signed the requisition to the head lodge asking for a dispensation. This was received from the Sydney District Lodge in September and the same month the Loyal Pambula Lodge IOOFMU was duly opened, with about 12 members being initiated. Early the following year, it was reported that the organisation was continuing to make steady progress, with “…one or two members being enrolled at almost every meeting.”   After many years of meeting in the School of Arts and other local buildings, members decided in October 1913 to proceed with erection of their own lodge room on land they had previously purchased in Quondola Street. In November 1913, the Pambula Voice reported that Mr. James Dowling was making rapid headway with erection of the Oddfellows Lodge Hall building, and in January 1914, it was officially opened, after which a banquet was held in the School of Arts to celebrate the event.   For many years, the Oddfellows organised a range of events locally, in particular sports days, cricket and football matches, as well as social functions.   By the late 1940’s, however, the lodge as an organisation was no longer using the building and it was from time to time used by travelling sales men in which to display their goods. Around this time, Mr. Eric Coorey, proprietor of the Rural Distributing Store, was also using the building as the drapery portion of his business.   Following damage to the Anglican Church at the bottom of Quondola Street and until their present structure was erected, it was also used for weddings and other services by local residents of that faith.   The little weatherboard building moved into the next phase of its life after it was purchased from Manchester Unity by the Presbyterian Church. Dedication of their new house of worship took place on Saturday March 13, 1965, after which an afternoon tea was held to mark the occasion. More recently, with the amalgamation and formation of the Uniting Church, the building was been used by that religious denomination, and was known as St Columba’s Uniting Church.   In about 2004 it was decided by the Uniting Church to sell the property, going under auction in January 2005 at which time it became privately owned. The building was afterwards transferred to the Anglican Parish and in about 2008 was relocated to their church property on the corner of Quondola and Bullara Streets, Pambula. It is now used as a hall by the local Anglican Christ Church.

Christ Church Hall, 2014.

Christ Church Hall in the background behind the church building, 2014.

 

From left: Former Anglican rectory; Christ Church Hall; and Christ
Church, 2014.

Themes:

Australian theme:	New South Wales theme:	Local theme:
3: Developing local, regional and national economies.	Commerce – Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services.
3: Developing local, regional and national economies.	Industry – Activities associated with the manufacture, production and distribution of goods.
3: Developing local, regional and national economies.	Technology – Activities and processes associated with the knowledge or use of mechanical arts and applied science.
8: Developing Australia’s cultural life.	Leisure – Activities associated with recreation and relaxation.
8: Developing Australia’s cultural life.	Religion – Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship.
8: Developing Australia’s cultural life.	Social institutions – Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities.
8: Developing Australia’s cultural life.	Sport – Activities associated with organised recreational and health promotional activities.
9: Marking the phases of life.	Birth and Death – Activities associated with the initial stages of human life and the bearing of children, and with the final stages of human life and disposal of the dead.

Application criteria:

Historical significance SHR criteria (a)
Historical association significance SHR criteria (b)
Aesthetic significance SHR criteria (c)
Technical / Research significance SHR criteria (e)
Rarity SHR criteria (f)
Representativeness SHR criteria (g)
Integrity:

Heritage Listings:

-

-

Information sources / bibliography :

Baddeley, Alma and Ben, Pers. Comm. Bennett, Vida, Pers. Comm. Eden Magnet. Eden Magnet and Pambula Voice George, A. C. (“Bubby”) (comp.) “History of Pambula – Old Records Early Days” Higgins, Jule, “Pambula’s Colonial Days” Moore’s Almanac and NSW Country Directory NSW Lands Title Office Pambula Voice newspaper Whelan, Betty, Pers. Comm.

Author and date:

© Angela George. All rights reserved.

June 2015.

 

Pambula Supermarket, formerly Eric Coorey's Rural Distributing Store, Pambula:

Item details:

Current status*:	Unlisted. Formerly included on Schedule 6 of the 2002 Bega Valley Local Environment Plan.
Name of item:	Pambula Supermarket.
Former name/s:	Rural Distributing Store.
Item type:	Built
Item group/collection:	Commercial
Item category:	Shop
Street number:	19
Street name:	Quondola Street
Suburb/town:	Pambula
Local Government Area:	Bega Valley Shire
Property description:	Lot 14, DP 777556
Owner category:	Private
Current use:	Supermarket.
Former use/s:	Grocery and general store with attached residence.

* Refers to the site's inclusion in Schedule 5 of the Local Environment Plan.

Quondola Street, Pambula showing the original Rural
Distributing Store prior to destruction by fire in 1931.

Significance:

Statement of significance: The site of the present day Pambula supermarket has been associated with commercial retail activity for many years, and is reputed to have been amongst the earliest in the town sold for such purposes, giving it a significant level of social importance to the local community. It is now the only such facility in the township where once there were five or six general stores at any given time, making it an important tangible indicator of the impact of contracting populations and improved transport methods. The previous use of the building as a residence as well as store indicates the changing work and living practices of individuals and families involved with commercial activities. The significant association of the building and business with Eric Coorey, "Syrian" hawker turned general store keeper is important as an indication of the changing work practices and opportunities available to immigrants living in rural Australia after the turn of the 20th century. This is only added to by his involvement with numerous local community groups and his commitment to contributing to the maintenance and development of the town. The style of the building and materials used are unusual in the Pambula township streetscape and are reminders of changing styles used in and materials available for building activities in the 1930s and ‘40s. This is reinforced by its vicinity to the old Australian Bank of Commerce building, itself also a unique element in the Pambula streetscape, but vastly different in style and materials to that of the supermarket. The structure also provides a tangible reminder of how disasters such as fires can irrevocably alter the streetscape. Despite this, however, the awning does reinforce the veranda-lined streetscape that is a common element in Pambula’s main street precinct, whilst the scale of the building is very in keeping with that used throughout the township.    Particularly because of the wells and use of portion of the building for residential accommodation, the back yard may also yield some archaeological potential.

Level of significance:

Local.

Rural Distributing Store C. late 1950s.

Description:

Designer:	Probably Bernie Koerber.
Builder:	Bernie Koerber.
Physical description:	Single storey asbestos fibro sheet building with corrugated iron gable roof showing some decorative battening. Modern aluminium framed windows and automatic sliding door to the left at the front have replaced the original layout, which consisted of two windows which stood on either side of timber framed panelled double doors featuring two-paned windows at the top. The plain awning supported by thin timber posts appears to be quite similar to that which originally protected the front of the building. When originally constructed, a portion of the building was devoted to residential area, but today the entire building is devoted to the supermarket and associated storage area.
Physical condition:	Not physically inspected but appears sound.
Construction date/s:	1934/35;
Modifications and dates:
Further comments:

Eric Coorey's Rural Distributing Store C. late 1950s.

History:

Historical notes: From early in Pambula’s history there has been a store located on this site and according to an unnamed source, was said to be the first in Pambula to be sold for shops. From January 1907, the building on the site was occupied by John Kennedy as the Sydney Stores. In 1922, his son joined him in the business. In December 1931, a fire broke out in the building, destroying the original building then occupied by Eric Coorey’s general stores. The Eden Magnet reported: “By a fire which occurred at Pambula in Sunday night, the building known as Kennedy's Store was destroyed.” A "Syrian" (probably Lebanese), Mr. Coorey had reportedly commenced his business activities as a hawker before moving into the premises in Quondola Street on a permanent basis. After the fire, the site remained vacant until 1934 when he contracted local builder Bernie Koerber to erect the present structure. In 1935, a dispute was heard in the Bega District Court between Mr. Coorey and Mr. Koerber over the building contract, Koerber claiming payment for the balance due and Coorey cross-claiming on the grounds that the work had not been finished on time. The Judge found in favour of Mr. Coorey. Through his business, Mr. Coorey was renowned for his community mindedness, and always willing to donate goods for worthy causes. He was also very involved with the Pambula Progress Association. Nonetheless, despite running a successful business and being so involved in community affairs, Mr. Coorey was, for much of his life, unable to read or write. Kevin Wilks, son of one of the Pambula Public School Principals, recalls his father teaching Mr. Coorey to read and write during the evenings. Mr. Wilks said that this enabled him to develop an even stronger business. For a period after the Grand United Oddfellows Lodge was dissolved, Mr. Coorey utilised their club rooms further up Quondola Street for the drapery portion of his business and in 1934, he opened a branch drapery outlet in nearby Eden. His window displays became a popular talking point for local residents and the Rural Distributing Store was also popular with local sleeper cutters because, unlike other general storekeepers, Eric Coorey was willing to make grocery deliveries to their camps. Wells located at the rear of the building were reputed to be amongst the best in the district, although their exact location is unknown today. It is also uncertain as to whether they date back to the earlier Kennedy business or if Mr. Coorey had them constructed. Since Eric Coorey’s construction, the building has been continually occupied first by general stores and then later, their more modern counter part, supermarkets. Among those who have operated the business have been Allan Gill, the Hopkins family, the Davis family, Mark and Lauren Souris and the Olsen family.

Detail of the front of the Rural Distributing Store, C. late 1950s, showing door and window features.

Themes:

Australian theme:	New South Wales theme:	Local theme:
3: Developing local, regional and national economies.	Commerce – Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services.
3: Developing local, regional and national economies.	Forestry – Activities associated with identifying and managing land covered in trees for commercial timber purposes.
3: Developing local, regional and national economies.	Technology – Activities and processes associated with the knowledge or use of mechanical arts and applied sciences.
3: Developing local, regional and national economies.	Transport – Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements.
4: Building settlements, towns and cities.	Accommodation – Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.
8: Developing Australia’s cultural life.	Domestic life – Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.
9: Marking the phases of life.	Persons – Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups.

Blank receipt from Eric Coorey's Rural Distributing Store.

Application criteria:

Historical significance SHR criteria (a)
Historical association significance SHR criteria (b)
Aesthetic significance SHR criteria (c)
Technical / Research significance SHR criteria (e)
Rarity SHR criteria (f)
Representativeness SHR criteria (g)
Integrity:

Heritage Listings and reports:

Schedule 6, Bega Valley Shire Council Local Environment Plan, 2002

Urban design Guidelines for Pambula Commercial Area, Suzannah Plowman for Bega Valley Shire Council.

Information sources / bibliography :

Brown, Stella, pers. comm. Eden Magnet George, Allan, pers. comm. Munn, Chappie, pers. comm. Pambula Voice Plowman, Suzannah, for Bega Valley Shire Council, Urban design Guidelines for Pambula Commercial Area. Whelan, Betty, pers. comm. Wilks, Kevin, pers. comm.

Author and date:

© Angela George. All rights reserved.

April 2015.