Toodyay Public Library

One of the forerunners to the library was the Newcastle Mechanics' Institute, which formed in 1866.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3756631|title=Proposed Mechanics' Institute at Newcastle|newspaper=Perth Gazette and W.A. Times|page=3|date=22 June 1866|accessdate=11 October 2015}} Charles Harper was elected president.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3755035|title=Newcastle Mechanics' Institute|newspaper=Perth Gazette and W.A. Times|page=3|date=20 July 1866|accessdate=11 October 2015}} By 1869, however, the Institute had begun to decline from lack of public support.{{cite news|newspaper=Perth Gazette|page=3|date=24 December 1869}}

The Toodyay Young Men's Reading Club was founded on 30 August 1871{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65933396 |title=Newcastle. Toodyay Young Men's Reading Club. |newspaper=The Inquirer & Commercial News |location=Perth |date=6 September 1871 |accessdate=13 February 2014 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} and operated from the government schoolroom into the early 1870s. This club presented lectures; its first lecture was given by Rev. J. M. Innes on Charles Dickens, and another was given Rev. Charles Harper {{ndash}} father of Charles Harper, pastoralist, newspaper proprietor and politician in colonial Western Australia {{ndash}} on "Phenomena connected with Sound".{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65934627 |title=Newcastle. Toodyay Young Men's Reading Club. |newspaper=The Inquirer & Commercial News |location=Perth |date=4 October 1871 |accessdate=13 February 2014 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}

On 3 September 1873 a "tea-meeting" (replete with singing and comestibles) was held to discuss the merging of the Mechanics' Institute and the Toodyay Young Men's Reading Club, with a view to the construction of a new building for the resultant organisation.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3755420 |title=Newcastle Mechanics' Institute. |newspaper=The Perth Gazette and West Australian Times |location=Western Australia |date=26 September 1873 |accessdate=10 February 2014 |page=1 Supplement: Supplement to the Perth Gazette & W. A. Times |publisher=National Library of Australia}}

Mr. Leeder of Leeder's Hotel agreed to construct the building on generous terms. The debt to finance the construction was repaid in 20 years.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3757302 |title=NEWCASTLE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE. |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth |date=12 October 1886 |accessdate=11 October 2015 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} Thomas Davey's tender of £235 10s was accepted by the building committee on 7 February 1874, with work to be completed within four months.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65963757 |title=TOODYAY, February 7. |newspaper=The Inquirer & Commercial News |location=Perth |date=11 February 1874 |accessdate=2 June 2014 |page=1 Supplement: Supplement to the Inquirer and Commercial News |publisher=National Library of Australia}} The finished building became the home of the revived Newcastle Mechanics' Institute and was one of the first civic buildings constructed in the new townsite of Toodyay.{{cite book | author1=Hocking Planning and Architecture | last2=Taylor |first2=Robyn |title=Toodyay Library (former Newcastle Mechanics' Institute) Conservation Plan: Final Report | date=2005 | publisher=Hocking Planning and Architecture for Shire of Toodyay | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/33934351 | access-date=13 October 2013 |location=Subiaco, W.A. |oclc=271811209}}

On 19 November 1877 the first Newcastle Municipal Council was elected and meetings were held in the Newcastle Mechanics Institute hall.{{cite book|last1=Erickson|first1=Rica|title=Old Toodyay and Newcastle|date=1974|publisher=Toodyay Shire Council|location=Western Australia|page=261|edition=1st}} By 1886 the Council was paying an annual rent of £1 for the use of the hall.

The stage, and the fireplace on the western side of the building, were added in 1886. In that year a new piano, costing about £90, was purchased from Messrs. Brinsmead & Company of Perth and £12 worth of books were added to the library. An annual subscription fee of 12 shillings for membership of the Mechanics Institute partially funded the purchase of newspapers and books, heating, stationery and the wages of the secretary and librarian. Concerts and other fundraising events, the hiring of the hall and a government grant supplemented the Institute's income. In 1886 there were 33 members. Mrs Martin took over as caretaker and librarian from Mrs C. Betts, who had resigned the previous year.{{cite news|newspaper=West Australian|page=3|date=12 June 1896}}

Throughout the late 1880s and early 1890s the hall was used for a variety of public gatherings. On 25 October 1890 a free ball celebrating Proclamation Day was hosted at the Mechanics' Institute; 150 people attended.{{cite news|newspaper=West Australian|page=3|date=27 October 1890}} On 12 December 1892 a magic lantern entertainment and lecture on the life and work of John Wesley, by the Rev. H.C. George of York, took place at the hall.{{cite news|newspaper=The Inquirer & Commercial News|page=5|date=14 December 1892}} On 2 January 1893 a resolution was made by the Newcastle Municipal Council that in future their meetings be held at one of the three hotels, instead of at the Mechanics' Hall, as the Council were sometimes inconvenienced by the letting of the hall for entertainments.{{cite news|newspaper=West Australian|page=3|date=4 January 1893}}

In 1894 the hall was renovated inside and out as it had become "most dilapidated".{{cite news|newspaper=Central Districts Advertiser|page=3|date=13 January 1894}} During the years 1895 and 1896 there was a push by the local community for state government assistance in enlarging the mainly privately funded Mechanics' Institute building, with a view to providing an appropriate site for Municipal Council Chambers.{{cite news|newspaper=West Australian|page=5|date=19 June 1895}} In 1897, however, the state government announced it was funding the erection of a separate building for this purpose.{{efn|That building is now known as the Toodyay Memorial Hall.}}

In 1897 the Newcastle Municipal Council had resumed meeting at the Mechanics' Institute.{{cite news|newspaper=West Australian|page=5|date=1 March 1897}} In May of that year the Mechanics' Institute Committee made additions to the building.{{cite news|newspaper=Northam Advertiser|page=5|date=22 May 1897}} These are assumed to be the two side wings, and possibly also the current curved facade.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} In July another new hall was opened in the main street, constructed by the local lodge of the Order of Oddfellows.{{cite news|newspaper=Northam Advertiser|page=5|date=7 July 1897}}{{efn|This building remains today on Stirling Terrace, with the name Jager Stores on its parapet.}}

In December 1897 the Newcastle Municipal Council received notification from the secretary of the Mechanics' Institute that rental of their hall had increased from £1 per annum to £5. After investigation the Council found the Oddfellows hall could be hired for £3 10s per annum and 5s extra for elections. The Oddfellows offer was accepted. The following month, however, the Mechanics Institute reduced its fee to match that of the Oddfellows{{cite journal|last1=State Records Office|title=Newcastle Municipal Council minutes|date=1897|volume=Con 761}} and the Council continued to meet there until their inaugural meeting in the new building on 4 December 1899.{{citation|title=The Toodyay Memorial Hall (1910): a short history|last=Frayne|first=Beth|work=Duidgeeana|issue=20|date=March–April 2011|publisher=Toodyay Historical Society|pages=6–8}}

In 1898 the Newcastle Mechanics' Institute was allocated a State Government grant of £100,{{cite news|newspaper=West Australian|page=7|date=19 August 1898}} of which £67 10s was spent by the end of 1903.{{cite news|newspaper=Kalgoorlie Miner|page=3|date=4 February 1904}} On 30 May 1899 women's suffrage was debated at the Newcastle debating society meeting in the Mechanics’ Institute. It was reported that women were present.{{cite news|newspaper=Northam Advertiser|page=3|date=3 June 1899}}

On 28 January 1905 the inaugural meeting of the Toodyay Club was held in the Newcastle Mechanics’ Institute. Dr Arthur William Crawford chaired the meeting and is considered the founder of the club. The first president was Bernard Maurice Connor; secretary and treasurer was Charles Maxwell Lukin. The subscription was set at 2 guineas per annum, and 112 people became members. Their purpose-built clubrooms, constructed in 1908 in the main street, is now known as Stirling House.{{cite news|newspaper=Newcastle Herald|page=3|date=4 February 1905}}{{cite book|last1=Erickson|first1=Rica|title=Old Toodyay and Newcastle|date=1974|publisher=Shire of Toodyay|page=352|edition=1st}}

By 1906 a loss of subscribers to the Institute combined with reduced government support saw the building fall into disrepair again. No new books had been purchased for some time and a paid secretary had been dispensed with.{{cite book|last1=TMI grant|title=Letter to F.J. Quinlan, M.L.A. from NMI Sec. M. More Hallinan|date=10 September 1906|publisher=State Records Office|page=Con 957, Item 1918/1277}} In 1907 the Newcastle Mechanics’ Institute was revived when a government concession enabled the purchase of new books for the library and Jane Hasell, aged 32 years, was appointed caretaker and librarian.{{cite news|newspaper=Newcastle Herald|page=5|date=2 February 1907}} The Institute received four cases of books that year, including novels and reference works, from the travelling libraries branch of the Public Library of Western Australia.{{cite news|newspaper=West Australian|page=5|date=24 August 1907}} Membership rose to over 100.{{cite book|last1=TMI grant|title=TMI grant|publisher=State Records Office|page=Con 957, Item 1918/1277}}

In 1909 most of the income to the Mechanics' Institute was from subscriptions, rent of the hall, rent of chairs, sale of papers and kerosene tins, government subsidy and rental of a room to the Australian Light Horse. Expenditures mainly comprised the caretaker's salary, repair of the piano, consumables such as wood, kerosene, water and sanitary services, the purchase of periodicals and newspapers, and the repair of the door. On 24 February 1910 Sir John Forrest (then Federal Treasurer) visited Newcastle as part of his election campaign and addressed a meeting at the Institute.{{cite news|newspaper=West Australian|page=5|date=25 February 1910}} On 12 September 1910 journalist and social reformer Jessie Ackermann, representing the Australian Women's National League in Western Australia, visited the Institute and addressed a large audience of women reminding them of their political responsibilities and encouraging them to vote at elections.{{cite news|newspaper=Newcastle Herald|page=2|date=17 September 1910}}

However, by 1916 expenses for running the Institute were exceeding revenue being raised.{{cite news|newspaper=Toodyay Herald|page=2|date=8 January 1916}} The withdrawal of government support again in 1913{{cite news|newspaper=Toodyay Herald|page=2|date=13 December 1913}} saw the reduction of up-to-date literature and therefore public patronage. In 1919 members of the community, led by John Masterson, once again attempted to rally support for the Institute through membership drives and fundraising events to pay off debts and provide better amenities.{{cite news|newspaper=Toodyay Herald|page=5|date=14 June 1919}} After Masterson's death in 1920{{cite news|newspaper=Toodyay Herald|page=5|date=29 May 1920}} community interest in the Mechanic's Institute and library waned. At a public meeting on 21 November 1921 it was proposed that the Institute be closed and its assets sold, with funds – after the discharge of outstanding liabilities – going towards the local hospital.{{cite news|newspaper=Toodyay Herald|page=3|date=26 November 1921}}

The Institute's furniture and books were duly sold,{{cite news|newspaper=Toodyay Herald|page=5|date=8 May 1926}} but there was uncertainty about who actually owned the building, as the original Trustees were all dead.{{cite book|last1=TMI|title=TMI|publisher=State Records Office|page=Con 689, Item 1923/0660}}

In the meantime the building continued to be used for a variety of purposes such as fundraising bazaars for St John the Baptist Church in 1922,{{cite news|newspaper=Toodyay Herald|page=3,4|date=21 October 1922}} 1923,{{cite news|newspaper=Toodyay Herald|page=2|date=3 November 1923}} 1925{{cite news|newspaper=Toodyay Herald|page=2|date=10 October 1925}} and 1926.{{cite news|newspaper=Toodyay Herald|page=2|date=30 October 1926}} In August 1924 the Toodyay Football Association hosted a "smoke social" in the hall, where they entertained a visiting football team from the firm of Harris Scarfe-Sandovers.{{cite news|newspaper=Toodyay Herald|page=3|date=23 August 1924}} In 1925 the Toodyay Girls Gymnasium Club met at the hall,{{cite news|newspaper=Toodyay Herald|page=2|date=2 May 1925}} and a room was set aside for storage of the training equipment for the machine gun sub-section of the Vickers machine gun troop of the Toodyay 10th Light Horse Regiment.{{cite news|newspaper=Toodyay Herald|page=1,5|date=13 June 1925}}

File:2001 976 Toodyay Road Board offices early 1950s.jpg

In July 1926 ownership of the building and land reverted to the Crown and subsequently to the Toodyay Road Board.{{cite book|last1=TMI|title=Letter to the Under Secretary of Works from Vernon Hamersley MLC|publisher=State Records Office|page=Con 689, Item 1923/0660}} In November 1926 the Water Supply Department requested from the Board payment of arrears due on the Mechanics' Institute account amounting to £3/12/-.{{cite news|newspaper=Toodyay Herald|page=7|date=13 November 1926}}

In 1926, the former mechanics institute building on Stirling Terrace was vested in the Toodyay Road Board. The following year it was renovated and became the new Toodyay Road Board offices. In 1947, the Toodyay Public Library commenced in the southern room of the building. In March of 1959, the Road Board Offices moved to the restored courthouse allowing the Toodyay Public Library to further expand into the space vacated by the Road Board.{{Cite web |title=TOODYAY ROAD BOARD CHAMBERS, 1927-1958 |url=https://collectionswa.net.au/items/25c4872b-e5f8-4eff-a645-a454680e3fb0 |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=collectionswa.net.au |language=en}}

In 1959 the building was renamed to the Toodyay Public Library.Living History, Toodyay Visitors Centre{{cite web|title=Western Australian Heritage Register|url=http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Content/PdfLoader.aspx?id=9b73da8d-be49-4743-b235-b58531534df4&type=assessment|work=Assessment Document|publisher=Heritage Council of Western Australia|accessdate=12 October 2013}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66303951 |title=NEWCASTLE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE ANNIVERSARY. |newspaper=The Inquirer & Commercial News |location=Perth |date=10 October 1877 |accessdate=13 October 2013 |page=2 Supplement: Supplement to The Inquirer |publisher=National Library of Australia}}

The building is currently registered on the Australian Heritage Database.{{cite AHD|9994|Mechanics Institute (former)|accessdate=23 March 2014}}

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Category:Heritage places in Toodyay, Western Australia

Category:Stirling Terrace, Toodyay

Category:Buildings and structures in Toodyay, Western Australia

Category:Public libraries in Australia

Category:Libraries in Western Australia

Category:State Register of Heritage Places in the Shire of Toodyay

Category:Libraries established in 1874

Category:1874 establishments in Australia