KALGAN SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION INC.   WELL MAY YOU ASK: WHERE IS KALGAN?   The town site of Kalgan is nestled on the banks of the Kalgan River, approximately 20km east of Albany. First known as ‘Kalganup’, meaning ‘first camp’, archaeological work during the 1970’s showed that Aboriginal people used the campsite near the Kalgan Hall site as a meeting place as far back as 19,000 years ago. After British settlement in Albany the river was referred to by locals as the Kalgan River.   The Kalgan river catchments begin north of Kendenup, collecting also through Woogenilup, Kamballup, around the Porongurup Ranges and down into Napier, eventually meeting the sea at Oyster Harbour. The Kalgan can be reduced to a trickle at times during the summer, but during the winter she can be a force to be reckoned with. Many well known local creeks such as Takenup, Napier and Deep Creek form junctions with the river through the farms bordering the Kalgan town site.   From the Kalgan Town site on Hunton Rd you may access The Luke Pen Walk and enjoy a trek along the banks of the pristine river down to ‘Honeymoon Island’.   The township enjoys one of the best ‘undiscovered’ locations in Australia; we are only 15 km from pristine ‘squeaky’ beaches. Behind us are the Porongurup Ranges. The Stirling Ranges also are only a half hour drive from the town. The city of Albany is 15 minutes to the west. The mighty Kalgan as she boomed down toward the crossing at Mindijup. At this point spanning 200 metres wide, taking out pontoons and bridges on the way ABOUT THE KALGAN TOWN HALL   The Kalgan Town Hall sits at the junction of Hunton and Wheeldon Roads, alongside the Wheeldon Road Bridge.   The Kalgan Hall was constructed in 1912 and became the historical locus of the Kalgan community. It served as a schoolhouse and as a venue for weddings and church services for town dwellers and rural settlers living along the Kalgan River. It was the place where 'Kalganites' met and shared their lives.   Over a period of decades it has fallen into a state of disrepair and there has been no similar space available for Kalganites to gather as a community. Over the period of the last two to three years there has been in increasing amount of discussion amongst community members concerning the state of the Hall and the wider implications of its loss to the district; the overarching concern is that if the Hall is lost, then so also is our community and associated history unique to the Kalgan district. Community sentiment has gathered momentum, and people have begun to collaborate in sufficiently large numbers to direct their energies toward saving our Hall.     Hall renovation program: Maureen, our Chair, gave a presentation at our October meeting about the opportunities to renovate our hall. To guide the hall renovation, our association has accepted an operating plan as outlined here: 1. Apply for funds to develop conservancy plan 2. Develop conservancy plan 3. Community consultation and develop hall management plan 4. Seek quotes from builders 5. Complete and submit application for funding for renovations 6. Implement plan – renovate! 7. Acknowledge grants visibly.     The Old Hall as it stands today; obviously in need of some serious TLC The original Hall named 'Kalgan Agricultural Hall' prior to extensions. Built by hard working men in the district, it accomodated a school house and church services every other Sunday. We consider it to be an improtant piece of our settler history. The opening of the newly built hall with in--script--ion on the back of the original photo reading: Mayor and Ex Mayor of Albany and two members of parliament opening the Kalgan Settlers Hall December 21st, 1912. By Mr James, W.Australia. We had a grand time with sports, social canoeing on the river and tug of war between married and singles (singles won). Frank. The following reminiscences of bygone Christmas Tree events come from Audrey Williams and Merrily Mobius  (Audrey’s extract comes from her letter of support for our grant application). ______________________________________________________________   My first experience with the Upper Kalgan Hall was in 1970, as a young shy newlywed of a district man.  I was invited to the Hall to meet the other ladies of the district and become part of the Kalgan Ladies Social Club. Every year the hall brought everyone together to attend the Xmas tree.   It always followed the same carefully planned tradition…Families ate at home prior to coming at 7.00pm, it was still daylight so the evening started with the singing of Christmas carols played on the hall piano and games with prizes for the children.  A Xmas hamper and cake and bottles of wine were usually raffled as a fund raiser.   Just after dark there would be a loud knocking at the door and father Xmas pulling the sleigh would be invited inside.  The smaller children would be given a ride in the sleigh as father Xmas said hello to young and old.  In the corner was the largest pine tree that could possibly fit decorated and adorned with presents.  Father Xmas advised the children they couldn’t open their present until every present was given out, the anticipation on those children’s faces practically burst. Once the presents were all opened and showed to their parents the children were fed children’s supper. My children remember with delight the pikelets, fairy bread, meringues, sponge cakes and cool drinks.  Then the adults were fed and watered with a real laid on supper of district cooking including sponge cakes, slices, lamingtons, fruit pies and sausage rolls, tea and coffee.   The evening usually ended around 9.00pm with older members of the community staying on to participate in the clean up of the hall. Over the years, the Williams family has played a part in the Xmas trees over 3 generations.  My father-in-law Ernie, my husband John and his brother, also Ernie, and also my daughter Merrily have all played their part as Father Xmas.  My sister-in-law Elvie Williams also played Xmas carols on the piano.    The last time there was a district Xmas tree was in 2002 and we have one planned for this year.   Audrey Williams 27 October 2006     Father Christmas made an appearance for Christmas 2006. Nobody knows how the Xmas committee fit such a huge tree into the hall, but it was just lovely to have her up and running and filled with children once again. Another shot of the old girl. She needs a new party frock, some shoe polish and lace. Since this shot was taken we have had a busy bee to let her know we still care.   ABOUT THE KALGAN SETTLERS’ ASSOCIATION   The Settlers’ Association has met for a number of decades in many different guises. Essentially it is a not for profit Community Organization primarily focussed with the issues that directly affect Kalgan and the people who live in it. At the moment the primary focus of the Association is the conservation and restoration of The Kalgan Hall. We are dedicating ourselves to this project and are very excited about it!   We meet quarterly and also publish a newsletter quarterly. Excerpts from this may be found on this site from time to time.     The general consensus amongst the Settlers’ Association is the Hall is the responsibilty of the Kalgan Community and that both through and after its restoration it can be a place where 'Kalganites', young and old, meet and share community concerns. We hope the restoration project will reinvigorate an interest in shared history, preservation of local knowledge, understanding of the regions significance and local traditions. If the Kalgan Hall can again serve as the central meeting place within the locality, the community will have greater access to each other and an improved knowlegde of events within it.   The old Kalgan Hall didn't scrub up too badly! We had the piano tuned and the old girl was once again filled with the sounds of hymns being sung by young and old. Somebody even washed the calico curtains! After almost 100 years some things never change. Picture of The Kalgan as she roared past a garden along Deep Creek Rd, almost taking it away with her on the morning of April Fool's 2005. The river made a huge noise and river dwellers were all awe struck by the event, watching power poles and car bodies rush on past toward Oyster Harbour.