Commemorated on 1 plaque
MIV Historical Plaques Program #0053
Merton Mechanics' Institute (later Merton Memorial Hall). Established 1910. Building opened 1923. The Mechanics' Institute movement began in British urban industrial centres in the early 1800s. A "mechanic" was a person applying skills and technology. During the 19th century, most towns in Victoria established a Mechanics' Institute or Athenaeum with a library and meeting hall. Common objects were the "spread of useful knowledge" and provision for "rational recreation" in the community. In 1910, the Merton community met to discuss building a public hall and Mechanics' Institute. The Mechanics' Institute hall finally opened on 20th June 1923 at a cost of 550 pounds. It had a main hall for social events, and a smaller room for a library. In 1944 the Merton community supported changing the hall's official name to Merton Memorial Hall to honour residents who served in both wars. In 1952 the hall was upgraded with a kitchen and toilets, and major renovations have taken place over recent years. This plaque, No. 53 in the MIV series, was placed here in 2016 to celebrate this historic hall's restoration and its continuing role in the community.
17 Shaws Road, Merton, Victoria, Australia where it sited