Memorial Hall and Drakesbrook Place

By Jarrod Mitchell

Where It is Located

The Memorial Hall is located along the South Western Highway. The Memorial Hall is used for Anzac Day Commemoration, Waroona Show-for the art exhibition and many other exhibits at the show, showing movies, wedding receptions, concerts, public meetings and maybe fundraising events after World War 2

How to hire the memorial hall

You can also use the Memorial Hall. Go to the Waroona Shire which is at 52 Hesse Street, Waroona WA 6215.

What is near the Memorial Hall?

Near the Memorial Hall is the Waroona oval where the Waroona Demons play football and there is parking at the back of the club rooms and all around the oval.

Design & History

The Memorial Hall was designed by architects Powell, Cameron and Chisholm in 1932. It opened on 4 December 1934 on the eastern side of the South Western Highway between Millar and Parnell Streets, in front of the show grounds. It was of brick and stone construction, with a built-in bio-box for showing movies and had a corrugated iron roof.

Before the town was on the SEC power, Jack Madison, who was also manager of Waroona Electric Light Co, had the picture (movie) contract in the Memorial Hall for some years. In the 1940’s movies were shown by the Kanzler circuit operating out of Albany, it was then sold to Allan Jones of Busselton in 1949. Screenings ceased in the late 1960’s, but Roy Mudge of Perth screened movies there every second Friday from 8 November 1991 to 15 January 1994.

The Hall had a separate room for the Return Service League (RSL) use. If you have a look on the side of this webpage there will be a video of Menzie’s visit to Waroona (the Prime Minister from 25th of July 1961). Not often do you see the Prime Minister coming to Waroona do you?