15/04/2026
Street Scenes – Duncan Street
In 1881 a public meeting inaugurated a ‘Mechanics Institute and Free Library’. A building in Barkly Street (now named Duncan) was leased from Andersons, known as ‘Wheatlands’. It became the first Mechanics Institute, once the Post Office vacated to its new building in Marma Street.
In 1885 a large block was purchased on Barkly Street for £32, the Hall’s current position. In 1888 a tender was accepted to build the new hall for the amount of £415. A bazaar was held in 1904 to raise funds of £72 which was enough to successfully complete the remaining payments for the Hall.
The Hall became the venue for Silent Movies, accompanied by Murtoa’s Orchestra. In 1925 the screening of the ‘Ten Commandments’, over 6 nights attracted a total of 1,558 viewers.
On the 2nd of January 1928 the Mechanics Hall was partially destroyed by fire along with 3 adjoining shops, however the silent movies continued at an open air venue in Duncan Street. By July, loans and debentures were secured and the Hall was rebuilt for the cost of £3790. The new Hall was opened by December of that year.
Silent movies continued to be shown until 1930. The following decades saw up grades to sound equipment and movie screens as talking movies were screened on a regular basis. However, by the 1970’s, dwindling audiences resulted from the competition of television so the pictures were closed down.
