The name Paddy O’Donoghue is synonymous with Noble Park. While he was lovingly known as Mr Noble Park, his wife Olive was just as well-liked by the community.
The Noble Park Public Hall, a site that has been at the centre of community life for more than 100 years, is now named the Paddy O’Donoghue Centre after the popular local figure.
The O’Donoghues served as trustees for the hall, and Olive was a member of the original Ladies Auxiliary. When Mrs O’Donoghue passed away in 2013 the Olive Room and Olive Garden were named in her honour.
A.J. ‘Paddy’ O’Donoghue was born on the Kalgoorlie goldfields in 1913. He moved to Noble Park, with his family in 1924 when his father accepted a job in the local bakery. Paddy, the eldest of five children, left school in 1929 at the age of 16 years to take over from his ailing father. He became the family’s breadwinner and five years later he purchased the bakery.
Paddy’s generosity was central to his beliefs, he felt that it was his duty to help those in need, where and when he could. It was this that made Paddy universally respected and admired by all.
He was a committee member and life member of many sporting clubs, various cultural groups, the Noble Park Progress Association, life member of the Dandenong and District Hospital, and a tireless worker for Red Cross and Comforts Fund in war time. He was a talented violinist and was a member of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
Today the O’Donoghue name is remembered through the centre which remains under the ownership of the Noble Park Public Hall Trust and includes a childcare centre, kindergarten, maternal health service and recreational and meeting spaces.
Learn more about the centre or find out how to hire a space here.
