The likes of Col Joy, Little Pattie and Johhny O’Keefe attracted crowds of up to 1500 people, while local musicians also had their moment on stage. 

The bands may have gone but the centre is still in regular use and residents are being called on to loan some of their photos and memorabilia to be exhibited at its 50th anniversary on Wednesday, June 10.

At 10am there will be speeches and stories about the community push to get the centre built and some of the famous faces and local events that have filled its hall.

The building will also be open for a few hours to let people look at the display.

Orange mayor John Davis said the centre, known as the Amoco Centre in the 1960s, had made a huge contribution to the social life in Orange with the dances, balls, dinners and concerts that were held there.

“I’m hoping local residents will dig into the backs of their cupboards and come up with items to go on display, whether it’s a poster advertising a battle of the bands or some other memorabilia which tells this part of our history,” he said.

The council has operated the building for the last 20 years, but caretaker John Harvey has been involved since before the doors opened and has lived on-site for 48 years. 

“I did work on it before it was opened. I was in the building trade as a tiler, plasterer and concreter, we rendered the stage,” he said.

Mr Harvey moved into the casual role after the first caretaker left in 1967.

“I love it, it’s the people you meet and the characters you meet,” he said.

He says his favourite events are the annual antique fair, whose participants he has got to know over the years and the eisteddfod, which has given him an opportunity to see the region’s up and coming performers. 

People can loan their items by dropping them off at the Orange Civic Theatre box office.