LET'S celebrate a momentous time for the Nagambie Mechanics Institute (NMI) building on High Street which is turning 150 years old this year.

The Institute was established in 1865 before the first hall was built in 1873.

The library then operated from 1874 for quite a while.

The Institute has been a centre for a wide range of activities for the community.

It has hosted movies, weddings, concerts, model car shows, quilt fairs, soirees, dances, balls, table tennis nights, high teas, fashion parades, school events, Anzac Day and remembrance services, funerals, memorials and birthday parties to name just a few.

It has been Nagambie's community hall for decades.

Over the years, major renovation works have been done to maintain both the inside and outside of the building, allowing the op shop to operate in stunning premises thanks to the involvement and the hard work of volunteers.

Some more major renovations do need to be implemented such as changing the windows and upgrading the kitchen so that more community events can be held.

The current volunteer Institute committee are excited about the prospect of celebrating this milestone with a series of events and some necessary fundraisers.

Cathy Lawrence of the Institute's trivia night committee spoke about what the priorities were for upgrades.

"The wish list, apart from renovating/upgrading the kitchen and changing the front windows, would be a digital grand piano for future concerts that would be fantastic for the NMI and for the community," Ms Lawrence said.

Events are already planned for the new year, with Ms Lawrence discussing what's on the calendar for 2023.

"Celebrating 150 years is an opportunity to organise fund raising events and to share the history of the NMI, and its impact in the Nagambie community over the years," she said.

"The key starting event for 2023 will be a trivia night which will be held on February 4, in the stunning hall of the NMI.

"Thanks to the generous contributions of sponsors and partners there will be a silent auction, auctions, raffles, games and of course the trivia.

"Debbie Ringin, Bernie and Jeff Boardle, Sissy Hoskin and myself are the organising committee for the trivia night."

For further information about the Institutes 150th celebrations or trivia night do not hesitate to contact her by phone 0477 685 761/ 488 77 07 33 or email gythac@icloud.com.