The history of the Rosevale Hall and sports grounds has been captured in a colourful mural by one of its closely connected family members and amateur artist Kim Richardson.
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Now brightening up the recently installed commercial kitchen it was painted by the daughter of Kevin Cuthbertson, a Rosevale Memorial Hall Committee stalwart who lived virtually next door to the hall all his life and who died in a tragic accident at home late last year.
Kevin’s family and his forebears, the Hendleys, have been as entwined in the hall as the old brick fireplace and the ever-thinning Tasmanian oak floorboards.
“I wanted to do something in dad’s name,” Kim said.
The Rosevale Hall still hosts one of the State’s most popular old-time dances several times a year and right through the late 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s Kevin played the drums in the dance band Robinettes (later the Cuthbertsons) with his wife Gwen beside him on piano and friends and relatives on piano accordion and banjo.
Like many local families these are the activities we remember him promoting and dedicating so much time to organising over many decades.
- Kim Richardson
As a child Kevin watched his father Graeme and local farmers re-build the hall after the original hall was razed by fire.
He went on to become an integral team member in organising what became Australia’s longest continuously running sports carnival at the grounds (125 years).
Kim’s mural is a reminder of the high-stakes cycling events that took part on the still visible gravel bike track and along the Rosevale main road, as well as the equestrian and wood chopping events.
It evokes memories of the foot races where the traditional winner’s prize was a matching cup and saucer set; the woodchips flying from young Fosters, Beams, Youds and Gurrs, while Kevin’s uncle Geoff Wadley called the action over the loud speaker; and the famous suppers served with military precision by the Hall Committee ladies that kept ballroom dancers going all night.
The homemade cakes and sweet chicory coffee, heated in fresh local cow’s milk in a kerosene tin on the stove, drew people who could care less for the Pride of Erin.
As one of a shrinking number of community halls that determinedly maintains its facilities and stays viable more recent uses have includes bookings from vintage car clubs and stargazers, which are also represented in the mural.
On Saturday, February 16, 2019, the Rosevale Hall will celebrate its 70th anniversary with a special dance featuring Deja Vu and in the lead-up there will be a dance on Saturday, October 20.
