*RECHABITES HALL OPENED
Before a large gathering of members and visitors, the new Rechabite Hall recently completed at Colonel Light Gardens was opened by Mrs A M Simons (wife of the district chief ruler) on Saturday evening.
Br G H Bradley (deputy district ruler) presented Mrs Simons with a silver key suitably inscribed and welcomed the gathering.
The hall proper, which is built with frontages to Prince George Parade and Dorset Avenue, is similar in design to the hall opened at Torrensville last year, but 10 ft longer. The main hall, which will be used for dancing and other functions, is 70 ft by 34 ft, and has all modern conveniences, including cloakrooms, stage and other necessities.
In the back portion of the building there is a hall 40 ft by 30 ft, to be used as lodge or banqueting room.
Exclusive of the land, the building cost about £3,000. [Ref: Advertiser and Register 4-5-1931]
*HALL SOLD TO RSL BRANCH FOR £3,750
The Sub-Treasury has approved sale of the Rechabite Hall, Colonel Light Gardens, to the Colonel Light Gardens RSL sub-branch for £3,750.
The sub-branch president (Mr K F Pearson) said today the contract would be signed late this afternoon.
The hall is a single-story structure, containing a large auditorium, supper room, and five annexes including a kitchen.
The sub-branch will transfer to its new premises after minor alterations. and all sub-branches will be invited to send representatives to the official opening. On that night, sub-branches will confer a life membership on Mr Frank Reynolds, former assistant State secretary of the league.
Mr A G Klar. who is immediate past president and State councillor for the district, assisted Mr Pearson in negotiations for the building. [Ref: News 24-10-1947]
The following is an account of a Rechabite Hall opened at Colonel Light Gardens in 1925.
COLONEL LIGHT GARDENS
OPENING OF RECHAB1TE HALL
Wednesday evening, at Colonel Light Gardens, marked a further development in the progress of the garden suburb, when a new Rechabite hall was opened on the Goodwood road. The structure, erected by the Albert District, IOR, represents a valuable contribution to the amenities of the thousand homes settlement, and is evidence of the desire of this society to make its aims available to the rapidly growing population there. About 50 members and interested persons assembled outside the new building.
Bro G W Godson (District Chief Ruler) expressed pleasure at the establishment of a branch of the order in the locality, and asked Bro A G Rankin (District Deputy Ruler, and treasurer of the Star of Unley Tent) formally to open the new hall.
Bro Rankin said he counted it a privilege to do so.
The present building of galvanized iron, lined with matchboard and asbestos, although very satisfactory for present purposes, was only a beginning, and he looked forward into the not far distant future when he hoped a brick hall would be erected in front of the present room, for which space had been left toward the Goodwood road frontage. Much credit was due to the Unley Tents and the Light of Edwardstown juvenile branch for their assistance toward the opening of the branch at Colonel Light Gardens.
Bro Rankin then unlocked the door and switched on the electric light. [Ref: Register 24-10-1925]
Colonel Light Gardens was declared a State Heritage Area on 4 May 2000.
*Colonel Light Gardens Up to Date from Paddock to Model Village
A conversation took place this week between a representative of 'The Mail', and a cheery, cheeky-faced young Australian, of about seven, on a spot which, eight or nine years ago, was famous as Mitcham Military Camp.
Five years ago the same spot was a bare paddock.
Today it is a part of Colonel light Gardens — a model, and thickly populated suburb.
On an area which, in 1921, was a bare paddock, there are now 950 houses, in which it is estimated 5,000 men, women and children dwell.
Under the Thousand Homes scheme 695 houses were built in Colonel Light Gardens, and the last of these was completed a few weeks ago.
Here are things which Colonel light Gardens has today: — 950 modern and self-contained houses. Two schools. Six churches. Six stores. One Police station. 13 miles of macadamised roads. 26 miles of footpaths. 1,300 street trees. Electric light, gas, water and sewer services. Nine playgrounds. One recreation park. [Ref: Mail 28-8-1926]
