The Rechabites Hall
Wed, 5 Sept 2001, 12:07 amWalter Plinge3 posts in thread
The Rechabites Hall
Wed, 5 Sept 2001, 12:07 amsome more words about the rechabites - the same as what's below but up here in case the list has got too long
(1) who runs the rechabites: rechabites is run by the performing arts centre society incorporated which is a not for profit membership based organisation that also runs the blue room theatre. pacs is governed by a committee of management who are elected by membership most of whom work in theatre, all of them who are committed to the philosophy of the organisation (click to htttp/blueroom.net.au if you want more info - our page is linked to yours and vice a versa as we share many common members - it's a small industry)
pacs activities are overseen by a small handful of staff of which there is only one full time worker (me) one brilliant trainee admin assistant and a fantastic team of part time and casual staff all who work extremely hard, none of whom receive a great deal of money for the that they do
the rat: yes i agree, it was an unfortunate and awful smell and one that was dealt with as quickly as possible - this involved calling out the 'rat man' - who was less than helpful saying dead rats in old buildings were hard to find and the smell would go away of its own accord in a couple of days - this didn't seem to be the case as the smell got worse not better - so pacs staff took to the problem themselves - this involved sniffing out the strongest point the smell was coming from - ripping up glued down carpet, skirting boards and floor - finding the rat - now in a more than ugly and maggotty state - disposing of rat and putting back the floor boards - i'd say given what those that work at pacs get paid this was going well beyond the call of duty - but these things have to get done - oh and by the way we do we have a regular pest and rodent inspection which is paid for in part by the rental hire paid on the venue - needless to say since last week we have engaged a new rodent and rat inspesction team - thanks to christel and sam for the stirling efforts in rat removal.
The Dust: yes the place is dusty and old - the week in question was however, slightly more dusty than usual as the foyer had just been painted - this painting was quite a big job (look at the hieght of the ceilings) and was paid for by the Perth Theatre Trust (who we sub lease the venue from - the building itself is leased by PTT from the Department of Land Authority) - thankyou PTT - so anyway, there was more dust than usual - however the walls are much cleaner and the dust like the rat will in time be sucked up by the vacuum cleaner - the building itself gets cleaned three times a week - which may not be as much cleaning as the venue requires but which is all we can afford on our present (miniscule budget) - those who use the venue are more than welcome to grab the vacuum cleaner or a broom and give the dressing rooms -or any other part of the venue that looks like it could do with some love and attention a bit of a going over - unfortunately many of those who use the venue seem to leave the facilities dirtier than when they arrived - c'est la vie.
OHS and The City of Perth: The venue has been approved by the CoP to operate as a public building, liquor licensing (who some would say have an even higher standard) have also come around and ok'd the venue for to operate as a licensed facility - yes this means that however bad it it might look at a casual glance there is no rotting rubbish, and all the requirements to operate the venue safely (fire hydrants and alarms, safety lights etc are being met) and yes, all this costs money too - where does this money come from? profit made from the bar, venue hire, PACS membership, staff working for ridiculously low pay (because we actually do care sincerely about the hall and its place within the independant performing arts industry as a venue where artists can create work in a venue that is accessible and affordable without having to mortgage their homes - believe me eliot if we didn't believe that there actually are people out there who apprecitate what the venue has to offer - so thanks to all those who have written in showing their support for the venue - we need to hear that sometimes) - oh and yes we even get a small amount from our beloved government - it's not a lot - and yes we would like more - but having said that for the small amount we receive we are grateful
disability access: yes, it is needed (as it also is at The Blue Room - the other venue we run) however, as both venues were built for public usage prior to society understanding the need to make venues accessible to all the fact that the venues don't have wheel chair access doesn't contravene current access policy - this however could (and indeed probably should change) in the meantime we have a bit of time up our sleeves and are lobbying the government hard and heavy to do something about it - we were actually doing quite well in this department with the previous government but with the recent change of government we are presently waiting for the new budget to be bought down to see what will happen in this area - all i can say is that it is well and truly on the agenda - as is climate control, more comfortable seating, better facilities for the actors, more and better equipment... in the meantime we do what we can with the limited resources we have - please feel free to write to The Hon Minister Sheila McHale (who as well as being Minister for Culture and The Arts is Minister for Social Services - which is kind of ironic really) voicing your concerns for the venue and (hopefully) your belief in the importance of a venue of this type (ie affordable and central) for the independant performing arts industry).
as for some of the things we have acheived: the seating block (however uncomfortable); the masking flats (tall aren't they?); the masonite stage floor (that has covered up a creaking, cracking, uneven and fire damaged timberfloor); the adequate sound system; the 24 channel digital lighting desk and racks; the lighting rig; the ladders (tall aren't they?); getting rid of the pigeon problem (notice the corrosion to the pressed tin roof in the auditorium); the stainless steel bar (so liquor licensing would license us); the lamps (of which there still aren't really enough but at least we own them); these things have been acheived slowly over the last three years, without government grants but with a heck of a lot of industry support, love and committment - so to all of those who support us and continue to support us - thankyou - the venue is for you - and for those who simply knock us - well, i suppose in the greater scheme of things you too have your place - ultimately it would seem we all want the same thing - we just have different ways of going about getting it done.
that's all - sorry i didn't have the time to reply earlier but i've been kind of busy
Cheers - Jansis
(1) who runs the rechabites: rechabites is run by the performing arts centre society incorporated which is a not for profit membership based organisation that also runs the blue room theatre. pacs is governed by a committee of management who are elected by membership most of whom work in theatre, all of them who are committed to the philosophy of the organisation (click to htttp/blueroom.net.au if you want more info - our page is linked to yours and vice a versa as we share many common members - it's a small industry)
pacs activities are overseen by a small handful of staff of which there is only one full time worker (me) one brilliant trainee admin assistant and a fantastic team of part time and casual staff all who work extremely hard, none of whom receive a great deal of money for the that they do
the rat: yes i agree, it was an unfortunate and awful smell and one that was dealt with as quickly as possible - this involved calling out the 'rat man' - who was less than helpful saying dead rats in old buildings were hard to find and the smell would go away of its own accord in a couple of days - this didn't seem to be the case as the smell got worse not better - so pacs staff took to the problem themselves - this involved sniffing out the strongest point the smell was coming from - ripping up glued down carpet, skirting boards and floor - finding the rat - now in a more than ugly and maggotty state - disposing of rat and putting back the floor boards - i'd say given what those that work at pacs get paid this was going well beyond the call of duty - but these things have to get done - oh and by the way we do we have a regular pest and rodent inspection which is paid for in part by the rental hire paid on the venue - needless to say since last week we have engaged a new rodent and rat inspesction team - thanks to christel and sam for the stirling efforts in rat removal.
The Dust: yes the place is dusty and old - the week in question was however, slightly more dusty than usual as the foyer had just been painted - this painting was quite a big job (look at the hieght of the ceilings) and was paid for by the Perth Theatre Trust (who we sub lease the venue from - the building itself is leased by PTT from the Department of Land Authority) - thankyou PTT - so anyway, there was more dust than usual - however the walls are much cleaner and the dust like the rat will in time be sucked up by the vacuum cleaner - the building itself gets cleaned three times a week - which may not be as much cleaning as the venue requires but which is all we can afford on our present (miniscule budget) - those who use the venue are more than welcome to grab the vacuum cleaner or a broom and give the dressing rooms -or any other part of the venue that looks like it could do with some love and attention a bit of a going over - unfortunately many of those who use the venue seem to leave the facilities dirtier than when they arrived - c'est la vie.
OHS and The City of Perth: The venue has been approved by the CoP to operate as a public building, liquor licensing (who some would say have an even higher standard) have also come around and ok'd the venue for to operate as a licensed facility - yes this means that however bad it it might look at a casual glance there is no rotting rubbish, and all the requirements to operate the venue safely (fire hydrants and alarms, safety lights etc are being met) and yes, all this costs money too - where does this money come from? profit made from the bar, venue hire, PACS membership, staff working for ridiculously low pay (because we actually do care sincerely about the hall and its place within the independant performing arts industry as a venue where artists can create work in a venue that is accessible and affordable without having to mortgage their homes - believe me eliot if we didn't believe that there actually are people out there who apprecitate what the venue has to offer - so thanks to all those who have written in showing their support for the venue - we need to hear that sometimes) - oh and yes we even get a small amount from our beloved government - it's not a lot - and yes we would like more - but having said that for the small amount we receive we are grateful
disability access: yes, it is needed (as it also is at The Blue Room - the other venue we run) however, as both venues were built for public usage prior to society understanding the need to make venues accessible to all the fact that the venues don't have wheel chair access doesn't contravene current access policy - this however could (and indeed probably should change) in the meantime we have a bit of time up our sleeves and are lobbying the government hard and heavy to do something about it - we were actually doing quite well in this department with the previous government but with the recent change of government we are presently waiting for the new budget to be bought down to see what will happen in this area - all i can say is that it is well and truly on the agenda - as is climate control, more comfortable seating, better facilities for the actors, more and better equipment... in the meantime we do what we can with the limited resources we have - please feel free to write to The Hon Minister Sheila McHale (who as well as being Minister for Culture and The Arts is Minister for Social Services - which is kind of ironic really) voicing your concerns for the venue and (hopefully) your belief in the importance of a venue of this type (ie affordable and central) for the independant performing arts industry).
as for some of the things we have acheived: the seating block (however uncomfortable); the masking flats (tall aren't they?); the masonite stage floor (that has covered up a creaking, cracking, uneven and fire damaged timberfloor); the adequate sound system; the 24 channel digital lighting desk and racks; the lighting rig; the ladders (tall aren't they?); getting rid of the pigeon problem (notice the corrosion to the pressed tin roof in the auditorium); the stainless steel bar (so liquor licensing would license us); the lamps (of which there still aren't really enough but at least we own them); these things have been acheived slowly over the last three years, without government grants but with a heck of a lot of industry support, love and committment - so to all of those who support us and continue to support us - thankyou - the venue is for you - and for those who simply knock us - well, i suppose in the greater scheme of things you too have your place - ultimately it would seem we all want the same thing - we just have different ways of going about getting it done.
that's all - sorry i didn't have the time to reply earlier but i've been kind of busy
Cheers - Jansis
RE: The Rechabites Hall
Fri, 14 Sept 2001, 11:14 pmWalter Plinge
brilliant
thanks roger
thanks roger