Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government was in Valla today to officially open the refurbished Valla Public Hall, ahead of its 100th birthday.

The Rudd Labor Government provided $32,597 to the Nambucca Shire Council towards the $41,047 upgrade of the community hall – as part of the Valla Public Hall Extension and Refurbishment Project.

“This September marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Valla Hall and it is an important link with the local community’s history,” Mr Albanese said.

The Valla Public Hall was officially opened on September 24, 1909 and it still serves its community of more than 1,000 residents well.

Mr Albanese said: "It’s quite extraordinary to think that the Valla hall has hosted a century’s worth of weddings, dances, church services, classes and community group meetings, children’s playgroups, and film events.

“Valla Hall has been the heart and soul of the community.

“That’s why I was particularly pleased to provide the funding for this upgrade, which was promised by the previous government but never contracted.”

The hall refurbishment provides the community with an improved space featuring upgraded electrical and flooring work, an extension to the verandah, roofing, guttering and external landscaping.

“This project provides an immediate and long-term way to diversify how the community centre can be used – and allows essential services to be available to even more people.

Mr Albanese congratulated the local community, the Nambucca Shire Council, and the Valla Hall Committee of Management for working together to provide a valuable facility to the local community and surrounding regions.