POWER OF COMMUNITY venue

GUILDFORD PUBLIC HALL

The Guildford Public Hall is a much-loved venue central to its local community and will become the hub for discussion, conversation and learning at RAA’s March 2026 event. Powered by community itself, it is the fitting space for a gathering that aims to inspire and empower delegates to instigate change in their own local area.

The establishment of Guildford is attributable to the presence of a ford, being one of the few sites at which the Loddon River could be crossed. The 1850s Gold Rush soon saw constant traffic between Castlemaine and Ballarat areas using this ford, and later a bridge, with the emergence of several hotels to satisfy the needs of the weary traveller.

It wasn’t long before hotels appeared on three of the four corners at the village intersection, including the site of Guildford’s present day Public Hall. That hotel went through four name changes before being de-licensed and subsequently used for various businesses over the following years.

In 1923 the building became the Strathloddon Lodge Hall, operating until 1957 at which time the sole remaining Lodge member decided to donate the Lodge Hall site to the Newstead Council to enable the construction of a new Public Hall. 

The current building, Guildford Public Hall, was built largely by local volunteer labour in 1958 and epitomises regional community public halls

In addition to general meetings of local organisations, the popular Guildford Public Hall regularly hosts an array of differing bookings such as state and federal elections, weddings, funeral wakes, art classes, birthdays, banjo jamboree, bush ball, public school camps, dance workshops, tai chi classes and conferences – and anything else its community needs.

With thanks to Raymond Pattle OAM, Honorary Treasurer of the Guildford Public Hall, for the historical information on the venue.

EVENT INFO

POWER OF COMMUNITY - Yarrayne / Guildford

DATES 12-14 March 2026

LOCATION Yarrayne / Guildford on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in the Victorian Central Goldfields region. The Friday main seminar day will be at the Guildford Public Hall, 32 Fryers St, Guildford Victoria

CPD 6 formal points available on the Friday. Delegates can make their own assessment for informal CPD for fringe events attended.