Temperance Hall

The Temperance Hall was built in 1891 by the Redan Lodge I.O.G.T.

The hall was in Rubicon Street.

History
The Redan Lodge Independent Order of Good Templars held their first meeting in the new hall in May 1891: "On Wednesday evening the Redan Lodge I.O.G.T., held their first meeting in the new Temperance Hall, Rubicon street, when there were many mutual congratulations on the advantages they possess in having so commodious and comfortable a building inducing them hopefully to look forward to the increased success of their organisation. The officers for the ensuing term were elected and will be installed at the next meeting. One new member was received by clearances card, three new members were initiated, and several proposed for initiation. It was resolved to hold periodical concerts to reduce the debt on the building. Br Lambert D.S.J.T., was present to forward the interests of the Juvenile Temple in affiliation with the lodge. The meeting closed with the usual vote of thanks to visitors, and Br Powell, C.T., received a hearty vote of thanks for his efficient presidency during the past quarter."

In July 1891, a concert was held (which may have been one of the fundraising concerts promised) but while the performers are mentioned, their items are not: "A very attractive programme was carried out at the Redan Temperance Hall on Friday evening last, and notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather there was a large and appreciative audience. The applause bestowed upon the various performers was in no wise stinted. The vocalists wore Misses Lemp, Daw, Middleton, Bryant, Weldon, and Messrs Thompson, Job, and Jones; whilst the elocutionists were Messrs J. Bolger, J. Graham, and Jones. Mr D. Low gave some choice selections on the whistle. Misses Weldon and Mr S. Lukeis acted as accompanists."

In July 1892 a community meeting was held at the hall to protest against the Education Department's proposal to turn the Redan Primary School into an infant school.

In February 1893 the Blue Ribbon Gospel Temperance group held a concert in the hall: "A Blue Ribbon gospel temperance meeting was held on Friday evening last, in the Temperance Hall, Redan. A very entertaining programme, consisting of a dialogue, recitations, and musical items, was successfully rendered by the following:—Vocal solos. Miss Egan and Miss Willaton; the choir, under Mr S. Lukeis, pianist, rendering several choruses in good style. The other performers were the Misses M. Collins, S. Egan, M. Williams, recitations; Misses Collins, Frisk, Robinson, and Messrs Jennings, Holst, Hicks, Lukeis, Hillhouse, and Shugg for the dialogue. There was a large number present, and the meeting was both instructive and enjoyable. It is probable another will be held at a not distant date."

In March 1896 the Redan Union Football Club was formed at a meeting in the hall.

In January 1894, Mr. Anderson, a candidate for the Windermere election held a meeting in the hall. He brought the meeting forward, so that young working men would have time to also attend a meeting in Sebastopol, where Alexander Peacock was going to be giving an address on the benefits of federation.

In July 1895 the hall was the venue for a wedding celebration for Kate Baxter, of Redan, who had married J. Tuppen of Sebastopol at St. Patrick's Cathedral earlier in the day. After a wedding breakfast at the bride's parent's house, the festivities moved into the hall: "In commemoration of the event an evening party was given to the young people in the Rubicon street Temperance Hall, where dancing, singing, and other pastimes were kept up until an early hour on Thursday morning."

In December 1914, the former head teacher of the Redan Primary School gave a talk about his recent trip to England and Europe: "LECTURE AT RUBICON STREET HALL. On Saturday evening next, at Rubicon Street Hall, in compliance with a request made by the Redan School Committee, Mr J. Ingamells, who has recently returned from a tour through Great Britain and Europe, will tell his former pupils, parents, and friends a little of what he saw in those countries. From the time of the reopening of the Redan State school-which far some years had been an adjunct of the Sebastopol school--until the end of 1913, Mr Ingamells was its head teacher. Musical and elocutionary items will be rendered by teachers and pupils."