Community
18 February, 2026
Hall on show: St Arnaud Band Hall set to be centre of comedy show
With a grant obtained by St Arnaud Arts Council, a visiting comedian will spend time delving into its colourful past, transforming forgotten anecdotes, legendary characters and behind-the-scenes mishaps into an original comedy show inspired entirely by the hall’s history.
ST ARNAUD’S historic Band Hall — long known for brass band rehearsals, community dances and decades of local lore — is about to trade sheet music for punchlines.
With a grant obtained by St Arnaud Arts Council, a visiting comedian will spend time delving into its colourful past, transforming forgotten anecdotes, legendary characters and behind-the-scenes mishaps into an original comedy show inspired entirely by the hall’s history.
The Band Hall is a staple in the community, one Arts Council’s Tanya Watts believes should be celebrated and etched into history.
“It’s a home to so many groups, from the St Arnaud Citizens’ Band to Line Dancing and everything in between, it’s really thriving,” she said.
“It’s full of life and it’s only that way because of the community and all the work that’s put in by every group in some way or another.
“Off the back of the buzz we got from the band’s 150th last year, we knew we had to try for this grant - and we got it.”
Comedian Damian Callinan will continue his hall series in St Arnaud in October, where locals are invited to visit or submit to share their memories.
“We want people to share their funny stories they may have themselves or they’ve heard from their aunties or dads,” Ms Watts said.
“The Hall has such a significant story and it’s made up of those memories.
The council was one of 13 community groups and not-for-profit organisations rewarded in the latest round of the Small Regional Presenters Program.
Read More: St Arnaud