An amenities block, which was made possible by $217,672 grant from the NSW government and $50,000 from the Robertson School of Arts committee, was officially opened on Saturday.

More than 65 people from the Robertson community and the Robertson School of Arts committee attended on the day.

The block, which contains toilets, showers and amenities for people living with disabilities, has given the hall the ability to become a crisis centre in the event of a natural disaster.

The hall will have the capacity to house about 80 people in the event if an emergency occurs.

The amenities block was opened by Goulburn MP Pru Goward.

There was also the presentation of life membership awards and appreciation certificates.

Life memberships were presented to Jean Tobler, Pat Willard, Jocelyn Crowe, Jim Wilson and Hope Waters.

Each of the award recipients have more than 15 years of service on the school of arts committee. Appreciation certificates went to John Bracht, Paul Robinson, June Shierlaw, Kay Simkin and Margaret Dunne.

A special mention went to 97-year-old Joan Tompagnoni, who has been a member of the Robertson School of Arts committee for 47 years.

Joan has been in the position of secretary for the entirety of her time on the committee.

There was also a book released about the history of the School or Arts committee from 1885 to 2017.

The book was written by the School of Arts committee’s honorary secretary John Johnson, who spent two and a half years compiling the book from committee minute books. However there were some minute books that Mr Johnson could not find during his research.

Mr Johnson is looking for School of Arts committee minutes from 1885 to 1906, 1916 to 1939 and 1970 to 1974. If you have one of these minutes books or you would like to purchase a copy of the book for $15, please call Mr Johnson on 4885 2217. You can also pick up a book at the Robertson Markets at the School of Arts on the second Sunday of each month.