FAQs

The Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall committee members have resolved to step down from the committee and sell the Hall, subject to the variation of the Trust over the Hall. This means that the Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee will be entering into a trust variation scheme to provide for the furtherance of the Trust in an alternate location.

The hall is no longer financially sustainable. The economic and social realities impacting the viability of the hall include: 

• Many new venues in the district impacting the hall revenues
• Lack of commitment to manage ongoing administration 
• Lack of tenancies paying fees to use the hall

A trust is an obligation imposed on a person or other entity (trustee) to hold property or rights for the benefit of beneficiaries. In this case the trustee is the OSMH Committee and the beneficiary is the Oakbank Community.

In order to vary a Trust there is a legal procedure to follow and this involves a lodgement to the Supreme Court.

The obligation is “That the Oakbank memorial hall would be held in perpetuity as a Memorial Hall in memory of the residents of the township and district of Oakbank who enlisted for and made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War 1914-1918 and preserve the same upon trust for the general benefit of the residents of the township of Oakbank and district including the Balhannah township and district and accept monies from the Association to be held in a trust for that purpose.” 

The Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee is the decision maker.

The Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee have resolved to vary the Trust to enable a sale of the Hall associated with the Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee.

The key reason for making the decision to vary the Trust and sell the hall is because the hall is no longer financially sustainable.  

Council is not in a position to take on an asset that is not financially sustainable and would result in a further pressure on rates.

Council’s role in this project is to provide administrative and financial support to make sure the Oakbank community is aware of the decision made by the Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Committee, in regards to varying the Trust and selling the  Oakbank Soldiers Memorial .

The committee is looking at a date in late August, this will be confirmed in the coming weeks as per their constitution. 

Should the Trust move to another location the funds from the sale of the Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall will be held on Trust by a committee with the funds only being able to be used for purposes consistent with the intentions of the Trust.  

The Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall is privately owned by a Trust and that Trust is managed by the Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee Inc.

Yes a group of community members can request a meeting to be held, when and where will be at the discretion of the Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee.

Should the hall be sold, there is agreement for the plaques to be safely stored/ displayed at the Balhannah Soldiers Memorial Hall.

The capsule celebrating the settlement of Oakbank in 1840 (150 years) will be opened in 2040 and will be protected by a Registered Encumbrance on the title at the Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall.

Council has committed a $40,000 loan to the hall committee with administrative assistance to vary the trust on the hall. It is expected that should the Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall be sold this money would be recuperated.

The location of the Trust is not yet determined. One option is for the Trust to be transferred to the Balhannah Soldiers Memorial Hall however we are seeking community feedback on this.

A committee is required to manage the funds associated with the Trust, whether that’s the money currently in the account or the money from the sale of the Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall.

There is a chairperson, secretary, and four committee members.

Karate Self Defense Classes

Oakbank Calisthenics 

That the Balhannah memorial hall would be held in perpetuity as a Memorial Hall in memory of the residents of the township and district of Oakbank who enlisted for and made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War 1914-1918 and preserve the same upon trust for the general benefit of the residents of the township of Oakbank and district including the Balhannah township and district and accept monies from the Association to be held in a trust for that purpose.

• Insurance (approx. $4,000 per annum)
• Electricity, water/ sewage 
• Rates are donated by Adelaide Hills Council 

Council will review all feedback received from the community. The feedback will be collated into a report and shared with the Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee for decision making. It will be up to the Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee to pursue the legal process through the Attorney General’s Department.

The Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall cannot be sold with a Trust associated with it. The Trust must be associated with a different location.

• Complete the online survey (on the main scree of this page)
• Drop in anytime between 11am and 1pm on 25 July at the Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall to chat with a member of the committee and Council
• Email your feedback to engage@ahc.sa.gov.au
• Call our project team on 8400 0400
• Send a letter or hard copy feedback form to OSMH, PO Box 44 Woodside SA 
• Complete a hard copy feedback form and scan it to engage@ahc.sa.gov.au 

Council and the committee have arranged a drop in day on 25 July from 11am - 1pm at Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall.

Yes the Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee is Incorporated 

Yes the OSMH is on the Heritage SA register and it has Local Heritage status.