As with many rural halls, Birregurra's historic Mechanics Institute was once the social heart of the community, holding host to many memorable social dances and debutante balls. A place where many had their first kiss or even first heart break.

This transformational project throws a ‘spotlight’ back on Birregurra's hall—inviting local and high profile artists, including Craig Walsh and Gorkem Arcaroglu’s Metanoia Theatre, to examine the community’s past, present and future relationship with the space and develop works that celebrate its history while drawing attention to the space’s contemporary possibility.

This, combined with a two year program of events and arts skills development combined with some physical updates to the building and space around it, the project aims to reframe the conversation about this and other small halls in the district from ambivalence and liability to creative and connective possibility.

​

​​

The project is due to commence in August 2016 and will be completed by October 2018.

​

Small Town Transformations is a Victorian Government initiative, managed by Regional Arts Victoria.

​

Project partners include Colac Otway Shire, Birregurra Hall Committee, Birregurra Community Arts Group, Birregurra Festival and Arts Show, Birregurra Senior Citizens, Birregurra Historical Society, Birregurra Primary School and Birregurra Community Health Centre.