Lake Macquarie City Council has allocated $1750 to help the hall trust repaint the iconic building yet Morisset Memorial Hall and Literary Institute, to give it its proper name, has literally had its ups and downs over the years.

The hall was built in nine months with the large building (for its day) being formally opened on Armistice Day in 1927 in commemoration of the town's fallen servicemen in WWI.

It had cost $1305 and was built on crown land which had been used as a police paddock until the deeds were handed to the community trust.

A strong wind demolished the first frame during construction but major disaster struck the project again in 1953 when an inferno devoured most of the virtually all-timber building.

Giving up on the iconic venue for everything from May balls to wedding receptions, dances and public meetings wasn't an option.

The town got together with local timber mill owners Herb and Clarrie Mullard generously providing the finest grade timber, including the excellent turpentine dance floor, equipment and resources to embark on a rebuilding program.

Almost every adult male volunteered his labour to rebuild the hall from the town's blood, sweat and timber.

The womenfolk provided daily lunches and refreshment for the men while they laboured and Avondale College's master builder and his apprentices turned out to do the brickwork.

Like Pheonix and to the townpeople's immense pride, the new hall arose from the ashes within just six weeks of the tragic fire, the cause of which remains a mystery.

In June this year the hall was officially listed as a heritage building.

Publicity officer and trust member, Beryl Mullard (wife of the late Herb) said the hall is still the perfect hire venue for dances and public meetings.