When the Ross Town Hall officially opened on Tuesday 15 September 1891, it was more than just a new municipal building – it was a practical investment in the township’s future.
Despite the wet weather that afternoon, nearly 300 residents accepted the Warden’s invitation to an “at home” gathering in the newly completed hall. Speaking from the stage, Warden W. H. Bennett marked the occasion with characteristic reserve and a clear sense of purpose.
“There are moments in a man’s life when he can honestly congratulate himself on a good action performed,” he said, “and I feel, as I stand in the completed Town Hall, that I am in that position today.”
Bennett didn’t overstate his role, quickly crediting his fellow councillors for their support. The project had been a joint effort – designed to provide not only a space for civic administration but also reading rooms, a library, and a proper public hall. The contractors, Gunn of Launceston, completed the stone building for around £1000. Though funds were not yet available to finish the library and reading rooms, Bennett expressed confidence that both would soon follow.
In the years that followed, the Town Hall fulfilled exactly the role it was built for. It became the natural setting for public life in Ross, hosting everything from concerts and dances to political meetings, school events, and wartime fundraisers.
A particularly significant moment came in 1919, when the hall was used to welcome home local servicemen returning from the First World War. The event – part ceremony, part social gathering – gave the community a chance to come together in recognition, relief, and respect. During the war, the hall had hosted recruitment drives and patriotic concerts; now it offered space for reunion and reflection.
It was never intended to be admired from a distance. As Warden Bennett remarked on opening day, some feared the floor would be worn out with use. “So much the better,” he replied – a worn floor would be proof the building was serving its purpose. Over 130 years later, it still is.
Ross Town Hall - c.1920s - prior to the addition of Council Chambers in 1928/29 - State Library of Tasmania.
Ross Town Hall, c.1960. Libraries Tasmania, PH30/1/328.