The 2022 “Men of the River” calendar is now available for purchase, with all proceeds going towards the Brooklyn Community Hall. The naughty-but-nice calendar features “suggestively semi-nude” local men in scenic locations around the Hawkesbury River.
“It’s a very quirky calendar and a great gift to the nanna with a wicked sense of humour,” says Liz Surrest, from the Brooklyn Community Hall Project Committee.
Brooklyn has been without a community hall for over 25 years, when the local Masonic Hall was sold to private owners in the 1990s. Left without a community space, the Brooklyn Community Hall Project Committee was formed to host fundraisers and appeal to state and local government.
“When the committee originally got together, it was because the children had nowhere to go for their performances at the end of term,” says Surrest. “Today, there are so many reasons why we need this community space.”
Alongside providing a venue for education, sport, dance, crafts and social events, the community hall would also serve as an emergency evacuation centre and meeting place.
“Brooklyn is geographically isolated. When there’s a bushfire, there’s nowhere for us to go and seek shelter,” says Surrest.
Over the years, the Brooklyn Community Hall Project Committee has hosted various fundraisers. These include Just Another Brick in the Hall, a music and market day, the Amazing River Race contest, and The Oyster Farmer’s premiere, which was filmed in the area.
The Men of the River Calendars are just $20.00 each. To purchase one, call Liz Surrest on 0414 733 714 or contact the Brooklyn Community Hall Facebook page.