Rotary District 9800 Conference

California Gully Mechanics Institute


California Gully Mechanics Institute.

The construction of the building, in School Street, California Gully was commenced in 1861-62, with several additions over the following 35 years.

It has been an important public building to the local community for a long time, commencing as a school between 1862 and 1878, then a Mechanics Institute & Free Library between 1883 and the 1950s, and in more recent times as a public hall.

It is of regional cultural heritage significance because of its genesis in a landmark era of regional development, and its links to important social and educational themes in the history of the Bendigo region.

Regrettably the building was allowed to deteriorate considerably, until an agreement was reached between the City of Greater Bendigo and the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk, in mid- 2003 for the Club to be appointed as Committee of Management, with seed funding from the City to assist with initial renovation, particularly to prevent further damage being caused by rising damp and roof leakage.

With further financial support from the City, coupled with an enormous amount of volunteer labour provided by Club members, the restored building was officially “opened” by then Mayor of the City, Cr. Rod Fyffe, in the presence of then Governor of Rotary District 9800, Rtn. Judy Nettleton, on the 20th February 2005, thus coinciding with the Centenary of Rotary International.

Further restoration works have continued since then, particularly to the extensive external land areas, whilst the building is nowadays in constant use, not only by our Club as its “home”, but also by many other organizations and the community at large.