About

First established in 1929, the Hall features classic 1920s architecture.

The Hall has been an integral part of the lively Bellingen culture, from the balls of old and the rock concerts of the seventies, to the Bellingen Fine Music Festival (now Bellingen Muse), the Bellingen Jazz Festival, Bello Winter Music Festival, Screenwave International Film Festival and many more. It's used for everything from public meetings and weekly classes to plays, gigs, movies, auctions, school events and more. 

A wonderful array of touring acts has passed through the Hall and this, coupled with local festivals has given Bellingen a nationally recognised reputation as a cultural hub, despite it being a small country town. Currently, the Hall hosts the following multi-day festivals: Bellingen Reader & Writers Festival, Bellingen Film Lovers Festival and Taranta Festival of Mediterranean music and culture.

Bellingen Memorial Hall underwent significant renovations during 2022 and reopened to the public in April 2023. The venue has benefitted from a substantial audio visual upgrade and the addition of an entirely new venue, dubbed ‘Studio BMH’, offering a highly flexible performance and meeting space. 

Vols_BMH_opening_image.jpg

 

Friends of BMH

The Friends of BMH group consists of local people interested in being involved in the operations of the Hall and being champions for the BMH in the local community.

Why get involved?

  1. Operations, programming and asset maintenance are managed by a single staff member - the Venue Coordinator - so if the venue is to grow its audience and sustain a large number of bookings (currently around 220 bookings per six months!) the community’s input in essential.
  2. To act as a community reference group and brains trust – to give feedback on venue operations, to share ideas, know-how, local contacts and resources.
  3. Because you love the arts.
  4. Enjoy complimentary access to events – seats set aside for the ‘house’.

Roles and responsibilities

Volunteers typically cover Front of House (FOH) event roles – ticket scanning, ushering, bar sales (with RSA), merchandise sales.

REQUIREMENTS – interpersonal skills, patience, retail experience is a bonus.

All volunteers are required to understand emergency procedures and safe work practices. Training is provided.

Where to from here?

  1. Complete online registration form: 
    Becoming a Volunteer Home of Bellingen Shire (nsw.gov.au)
  2. Phil (Venue Coordinator) will contact you to discuss roles, availability, suitability etc.
  3. Complete online Council OH&S induction: Introduction (howtoo.co)
  4. Each time you turn up for a shift, sign in / sign out to be covered by our insurance.

 

 

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