Showing 1324 items matching "civic hall"
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Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Photograph - Black and White, Ballarat celebrations 1937, 1937
Words on the building on the south west corner of Sturt Street are visible. "NATIONAL MUTUAL BUILDING". This building was used by Mark's Jewellers, and then Allan Bros. Jewellers. The next building has the writing "ARGUS" and Printers, Bookbinders, Stationers, on it. This was known as Berry Anderson's. I suspect that these are photographs before the celebrations for the coronation. See The Argus 13 May 1937 "Celebrations in Many Country Towns" Ballarat Celebrations BALLARAT Wednesday - Special Coronation celebrations were largely attended In the morning there was a service In Christ Church, at which representatlves of the council and other public bodies were present There was a similar gathering in St Andrew's Kirk At a civic service in the Alfred Hall in the afternoon the address was given by the Bishop of Ballarat (the Right Rev W Johnson). Bishop Johnson spoke of the personal association of King George V with his people, and said that the present King and Queen would be equally concerned with the welfare of their subjects The Revs H A Horsfall and B E Williams co-operated In the service, which was presided over by the Mayor (Councillor J Pryor) Mr Lloyd Lindsay recited Mase?Coronation ode and Miss W Ritchie sang "Land of Hope and Glory ' At night a Coronation concert was held in the Alfred Hall6.5cm H x 8.5 cm Wmax walters, ballarat, 1937, celebrations, national mutual building, sturt street, anniversary -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Photograph - Black and White, Ballarat Celebrations 1937, 1937
Bank on the north west corner of Sturt and Lydiard Streets. I suspect that these are photographs before the celebrations for the coronation. See The Argus 13 May 1937 "Celebrations in Many Country Towns" Ballarat Celebrations BALLARAT Wednesday - Special Coronation celebrations were largely attended In the morning there was a service In Christ Church, at which representatlves of the council and other public bodies were present There was a similar gathering in St Andrew's Kirk At a civic service in the Alfred Hall in the afternoon the address was given by the Bishop of Ballarat (the Right Rev W Johnson). Bishop Johnson spoke of the personal association of King George V with his people, and said that the present King and Queen would be equally concerned with the welfare of their subjects The Revs H A Horsfall and B E Williams co-operated In the service, which was presided over by the Mayor (Councillor J Pryor) Mr Lloyd Lindsay recited Mase?Coronation ode and Miss W Ritchie sang "Land of Hope and Glory ' At night a Coronation concert was held in the Alfred HallSmall black and white photographB 249 on versomax walters, ballarat, 1937, celebrations, bank, sturt street, lydiard street, anniversary -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Photograph - Black and White, Sturt Street, Ballarat, 1937, 1937
These photographs were probably taken for the coronation celebrations. See The Argus 13 May 1937 "Celebrations in Many Country Towns" Ballarat Celebrations BALLARAT Wednesday - Special Coronation celebrations were largely attended In the morning there was a service In Christ Church, at which representatives of the council and other public bodies were present There was a similar gathering in St Andrew's Kirk At a civic service in the Alfred Hall in the afternoon the address was given by the Bishop of Ballarat (the Right Rev W Johnson). Bishop Johnson spoke of the personal association of King George V with his people, and said that the present King and Queen would be equally concerned with the welfare of their subjects The Revs H A Horsfall and B E Williams co-operated In the service, which was presided over by the Mayor (Councillor J Pryor) Mr Lloyd Lindsay recited Mase? Coronation ode and Miss W Ritchie sang "Land of Hope and Glory ' At night a Coronation concert was held in the Alfred Hall.Small black and white photograph showing Sturt Street, Ballarat, and the Burke and Wills Memorial.B249 versomax walters, ballarat, celebrations, sturt street, coronation -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Photograph - Colour, Clare Gervasoni, Facade of the Former Sebastopol Town Hall, 2018, 12/03/2018
... town hall sebastopol civic centre sebastopol community centre ...The old Sebastopol Town Hall was erected in 1868 and opened on 19 March, 1869. The newer Town Hall was rebuilt in the 1950s and opened on 20 December 1960. The building was demolished except for the facade to build a new library in Sebastopol. The $2.8 million redeveloped Sebastopol Library Community Hub opend its doors to the community on Wednesday 2 January, 2019. This major redevelopment has transformed the City of Ballarat’s Library and Maternal and Child Health services into a vibrant modern community hub, Photographs of the facade of the former Sebastopol Town Hall, and the remains of the old Sebastopol Town Hall revealed during renovations in 2018.sebastopol, sebastopol town hall, sebastopol civic centre, sebastopol community centre, facadism -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Colour, Clare Gervasoni, Facade of the Former Sebastopol Town Hall During Building Works, 2018, 12/03/2018
... town hall sebastopol civic centre sebastopol community centre ...The old Sebastopol Town Hall was erected in 1868 and opened on 19 March, 1869. The newer Town Hall was rebuilt in the 1950s and opened on 20 December 1960. The building was demolished except for the facade to build a new library in Sebastopol. The $2.8 million redeveloped Sebastopol Library Community Hub opend its doors to the community on Wednesday 2 January, 2019. This major redevelopment has transformed the City of Ballarat’s Library and Maternal and Child Health services into a vibrant modern community hub, Photographs of the facade of the former Sebastopol Town Hall, and the remains fo the old Sebastopol Town Hall revealed during renovations in 2018. The two white poles, donated by former mayors are also depicted. The two white poles at the front of the biulding include a plaque "Presented by the mayor Cr F.W. Miller, 1934"sebastopol, sebastopol town hall, sebastopol civic centre, sebastopol community centre, f.w. miller -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Photograph - Colour, Former Sebastopol Town Hall, 2018, 12/03/2018
... Office goldfields sebastopol sebastopol town hall sebastopol ...Photographs of the revealed former Sebastopol Town Hall revealed during renovations in 2018.sebastopol, sebastopol town hall, sebastopol civic centre, architecture, local government -
Hume City Civic Collection
President's Chair
This President's chair was used by the Shire of Bulla Presidents/Mayors to sit in at Council meetings pre 1963 in the Sunbury Memorial Hall and possibly at the old Shire of Bulla Council offices in Bulla.Large brown upholstered wood frame President's chair. Small front turned legs. Small padded arm rests. High back padded with seven (7) buttons.A design carved into sides of front arm rests.sunbury, shire of bulla, shire presidents, memorial hall, george evans collection -
Hume City Civic Collection
Sash, Belle of the Ball, 1953
This sash was presented to Miss Flora Lloyd along with a trophy as the winner of the Belle of the Ball at the annual Diggers' Ball held on the 3rd July 1953 in the Sunbury Memorial Hall. She was partnered by Mr. Chris Hall.A pale blue sash with a gold tassel and R.S.L. insignia at one end."Sunbury R.S.L./BELLE of the BALL/Coronation Year Ball 1953"1950s, sunbury, sunbury memorial hall, sunbury r.s.l, lloyd, flora, deverall, dances, sunbury news, george evans collection -
Hume City Civic Collection
Newspaper - Newspaper Clipping, Victory Celebration
This is a newspaper clipping describing the date that Japan officially surrendered in World War 2 and what happened in Sunbury from morning until the wee small hours of the next day. This article was published in the Sunbury News on 15 August 1945.This is a newspaper clipping from the Sunbury News dated 15 August 1945 under the heading Victory Celebration.Victory Celebrationsunbury news office, sunbury news, world war 2, boardman eric, aitken kathleen, memorial hall, gilchrist hugh, 1940s -
Hume City Civic Collection
Photograph, Shire of Bulla Offices, 1966
Before the Shire of Bulla built permanent offices in Macedon Street, the council used to meet in the Memorial Hall and had rooms there to conduct regular business. Some cottages were demolished to build the new offices which were completed and opened in 1966. Over the years as the shire's population increased, further additions were added. After Sunbury became part of Hume City Council, the former council building was occupied by Wester Water and Vic Roads.Apart from the former Shire of Bulla Roads Board office built in Sunbury in the 1860s, the 1966 building is the first council building to be built in Sunbury.A black and white photograph of a single storey office building and the surrounding garden. There is a light pole in the foreground.shire of bulla, council offices -
Hume City Civic Collection
Photograph, St. Andrews Uniting Church gates, 8th September 2001
These are the original wrought iron gates which served as the entrance to St. Andrews Uniting Church, formerly St.Andrews Presbyterian Church. They were erected there in 1922 and were made at H.V.McKay's Sunshine Harvester foundry, at Sunshine. H.V McKay was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Sunbury. Originally the gates opened onto Stawell Street, which ran at an angle between O'Shanassy and Barkly Streets. Apart from a small area leading to the Memorial Hall the rest of Stawell Street has been incorporated in the Village Green in Sunbury.The gates were restored and erected on their original site in 2000. A scanned coloured photograph of white painted wrought iron double gates with two smaller gates on either side and supported by stone pillars. A church building is just beyond a grassed area.st. andrews church, st. andrew's uniting church, wrought iron gates -
Hume City Civic Collection
Photograph, Bulla Community Centre, c1980s
The building is the Bulla Community Centre, which replaced an older hall that was situated in the Bulla Sports Ground precinct in Greene Street. Over the years many community activities have been staged within the precinct such as district school sports, local dances and community social group functions.A black and white photograph of a brick building with large windows and a return verandah.bulla community centre, bulla township -
Hume City Civic Collection
Photograph, Bulla Shire Hall
The building in the image was the original Shire of Bulla council offices where councillors met until 1901 when they relocated to Sunbury and conducted their meetings in the Mechanics Institute Hall later known as the Memorial Hall.This building was originally the offices for the Bulla Roads Board and was the first council office built in the bulla shire'A photocopy of a non digital black and white photograph with a cream border of a historic bluestone building.council offices, bulla bulla township, bulla shire hall, bulla shire council, councillors, bluestone -
Hume City Civic Collection
Photograph, Former Shire of Bulla offices, 1970s
The building in the photograph is the former Shire of Bulla offices in the Bulla township. They were built in 1867 and the first meeting took place in the new building on 27th November 1867. Regular council meetings took place there until 1901 when some council meetings were held in the Mechanics Institute (now the Memorial Hall) in Sunbury. In 1963 permanent Shire Offices were built in Macedon Street in Sunbury. A non-digital coloured photograph with rounded corners of a double-fronted bluestone build with a slate roofing and a post and rail fence across the front of the property. -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Ephemera - Invitation, City of Ballaarat, "Ballarat Tramways", 13/09/1971
Yields information about a Civic Function at the time of the closure of the tramways and method of invitations. Invitation or letter on quarto paper, dated 13/9/1971 from the City of Ballaarat to Mr. R. Prentice to a Civic Function at the Town Hall to mark the closure of the Ballarat Tramway system and to welcome the newly appointed SEC Chairman, Mr. N. R. White. Mayor Cr Chisholm and Mayor of Sebastopol Cr N F Donald. Addressed to Mr. R PrenticeOn rear in red ink "Max Scott". The invitee's name has been hand written.trams, tramways, civic functions, city of ballaarat, closure, sec -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Digital image, W. J. Llewelyn, 1953
... Festival Town Hall Botanical Gardens Opening Civic Functions ...Set of five colour digital images taken by W. J. Llewelyn of parts of the Begonia Festival, 1953 and 1956. .1 - Opening of the Begonia Festival March 1953 on the Town Hall steps. .2 - Begonia House, Botanical Gardens with two ladies outside - possibly a copy photograph. .3 - Interior of Begonia House, Tom Beaumont and the plans - possibly a copy photograph. .4 - View of Begonia House with flowers in the foreground - possibly a copy photograph. .5 - Carpet of flowers - with the Olympic symbol - 1956 trams, tramways, begonia festival, town hall, botanical gardens, opening, civic functions, olympics -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Document - Photocopy, Neville Gower, "Mayor's Report 1954-1955", Jul. 1997
Photocopy of part of City of Ballarat's Mayor's Report for 1954 - 1955. Three pages covering trams, railways telephone exchange problems, photo of Queen Elizabeth hospital, photo from Ballarat Town Hall looking east in 1874 and today (1955). Originals held in the Ballarat Library. trams, tramways, city of ballaarat, trams, railways, civic history -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Document - Photocopy, Neville Gower, "Mayor's Report 1951-1952", Jul. 1997
Yields information about the City of Ballaarat the time of the Mayor's report to the City Council, about the events, industry, transport and other issues within the City.Photocopy of part of City of Ballaarat's Mayor's Report for 1951 - 1952. Originals held in the Ballarat Library. Seven pages covering trams, railways, telephones, one page item and artists impression of new SEC Power Station Ballarat "B" then under construction and photo looking from Town Hall - showing a sign "orderly parking".trams, tramways, city of ballaarat, trams, railways, civic history -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Postcard - Folder set, Valentine & Sons Publishing Co, "Bendigo Photographic Booklet", 1940's
Set of 9 black and white views of Bendigo printed on a folded strip, glued within a light grey colour light weight cardboard folder, titled "Bendigo Photographic Booklet". Booklet printed with an address area with title and kookaburras. Produced by The Valentine Publishing Co. Pty Ltd Melbourne & Sydney The rear has a slit on the rear cover that allowed the folder to be secured. Pictures are: 1. Mitchell St 2. The Lookout Tower 3. Conservatory Gardens 4. Shamrock Hotel 5. The Lake, Upper Reserve 6. The Pall Mall 7. Civic Buildings 8. Soldiers Memorial Hall and Post Office 9. Alexandria Fountain, Bendigo with a single trucker, M class type tram, prior to alterations, but in SEC colour scheme of the mid 1930's Made during 1940, with photographs of the 1930's as well given motor cars in the photo. Has "D. Gilbert" in ink on cover.trams, tramways, bendigo, pall mall, charing cross, mitchell st -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Digital image, Keith Kings, 20/08/1955 12:00:00 AM
... of Electric Tramways - Group at Civic Reception at Town Hall. 20/8... at Civic Reception at Town Hall. 20/8/1955" and Keith Kings stamp ...Yields information about the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of electric trams in Ballarat by the AETA and those who attended a dinner.Digital image from the Wal Jack Ballarat Album of a photograph a group of six men at the Civic Reception for the AETA Commemoration of Electric Tramways in Ballarat, Town Hall. Keith Kings on the left, Les Denmead on the right. Mayor, Cr. A. Pittard possibly second from the right, Mr. Linaker 3rd from left (the tall one) See image i2 for rear of photograph. See Reg Item 5617 for newspaper report on this event.On rear of photograph in ink "Ballarat AETA Commemoration of Electric Tramways - Group at Civic Reception at Town Hall. 20/8/1955" and Keith Kings stamp in top right hand corner with number "P(c)(1)" written in.trams, tramways, aeta, tours, golden jubilee of trams, civic reception -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - SOUVENIR PHOTOGRAPHS OF BENDIGO, 1800's
Loose copies of coloured photographs of, Bendigo Fernery, Town Hall, Easter Fair Procession, Post Office & Albert Bush's Store circa late 1800's.W.T.P.& Co.bendigo, buildings, civic buildings -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - BALLOT PAPERS TARNAGULLA, 19th May, 1973
Blue Voting paper with Borough of Tarnagulla printed at the top. Candidates' Names are George Barlow, Thomas Bayliss, John Beynon, Thomas Henderson, William Herd Voting directions at the end of page. White paper titled Ballot Paper School District of the Borough of Tarnagulla. Candidates' Names are Henry Charles Bristol, Robert Harrison Burstall, Edward Buckley, Thomas Comrie, James Clouston, George Minto, and Thomas Scorer. Voting Directions printed at the bottom of page. Printed by John Ferres, Government Printer, Melbourne. Another piece of paper has Mr Cra? Goldfield's Historical Society written on it. Typed on another piece of paper is: These two ballot papers were found in the Tarnagulla Town Hall before its reconstruction this year. Apart from a few records in possession of the Goldfields Historical Society the Tarnagulla Borough Records were pulped during the war. The ballot paper for the School District is an election for a School Board of Advice in 1873 (the first election under the Act). The Voting paper is for the Borough Council, date unknown but it was not (underlined) the first election. With compliments of the Goldfields Historical Society per their Curator John J. Alderson. 11/4/61By Authority John Ferres, Government Printer, Melbourneevent, official, civic, ballot papers tarnagulla, tarnagulla town hall, goldfields historical society, tarnagulla borough records, school board of advice, john j alderson, henry charles bristol, robert harrison burstall, edward buckley, thomas comrie, james clouston, george minto, thomas scorer, george barlow, thomas bayliss, john beynin, thomas henderson, william herd, john ferres -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - Bendigo circa 1930-1940, 19/09/2017
8548a Eight photographs of Bendigo circa 1930-1940, provided with printed envelope, photos cover: Pall Mall, Central Deborah Gold Mine, Alexandra Fountain, Bendigo City Hall, Rosiland Park, the City Baths, Civic Building, and the Conservatory Gardens. 8548b envelope for eight photos of Bendigo circa 1930-1940. each photograph is named.photographs of central bendigo landmarks, b&w photos -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MERLE HALL COLLECTION: ''HOUSING THE ARTS'' AUSTRALIA COUNCIL
''Housing the Arts - Establishing Community Arts Centres or Performing Arts Facilities'' Australia Council 1979. 22 page booklet - Synopsis of a survey and report on 30 community arts centres and civic centres in Australia - with brief descriptions of facility and photograph. Introduction of a Resource Kit for Local Councils and arts organizations. (2 copies). -
Bayside Gallery - Bayside City Council Art & Heritage Collection
Photograph - hand-coloured photograph, Brighton Centenary Year, Stage decoration, Mayoral Ball, c. 1959
This work was presented to The Mayor and Mayoress, Cr. and Mrs R.G. Ward, by the citizens of Brighton to commemorate the Brighton Centenary in 1959. Brighton was first incorporated as a borough on 18 January 1859, it became a town on 18 March 1887 and was proclaimed a city on 12 March 1919. The new Brighton Municipal Offices were designed by Kevin Knight of Oakley and Parkes with the engineers John Connell and Associates and were erected by Prentice Builders Pty Ltd. The foundation stone was laid on 13 February 1959 and the building was opened on 21 July 1961. The interior decoration and furniture was by Grant Featherston.brighton centenary, brighton town hall, stage decoration, mayoral ball, brighton municipal offices, civic centre, oakley and parkes, kevin knight, r.g. ward, mayor -
Bayside Gallery - Bayside City Council Art & Heritage Collection
Model, Alan W. Chandler, Brighton Municipal Complex, 1959
This model of the Brighton Municipal Offices was made by Alan W. Chandler. The Brighton Municipal Offices were designed by Kevin Knight of Oakley and Parkes with the engineers John Connell and Associates and were erected by Prentice Builders Pty Ltd. The foundation stone was laid on 13 February 1959 and the building was opened on 21 July 1961. The interior decoration and furniture was by Grant Featherston. As is common practice, an architectural model was prepared to present the final concept of the building for approval to the Brighton City Council. In February 1959 festivities occurred to celebrate the centenary of the municipality of Brighton. A garden party attended by two hundred Brighton residents was held in the grounds of the Brighton Town Hall. This model graced the centre of the lily pond during the event. The following day the foundation stone of the Brighton Municipal Offices was laid.Architectural model of a large public building in orange brick, the main cylindrical tower is set within a rectangular structure, with circular and oval roof structures. The model is set within landscaped grounds with paths, a water feature, several trees and bushes, lawns and flower beds.brighton municipal complex, brighton civic centre, brighton chambers, architectural model, model, alan w. chandler, kevin knight, oakley and parkes, architecture, municipal offices, municipal building, scale model -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Cast Members in The Maid of the Mountains / by Harold Fraser-Simson, 1957
The Arthur Dear Collection is a comprehensive collection of theatrical ephemera relating to performances by theatrical and musical organisations from within and outside the former City of Kew who performed at venues in Kew during the 1950s and 1960s.Historic photograph of a theatre productionPhotograph of a performance or a rehearsal of The Maid of the Moutains, performed by the Kew Light Opera Company in the Kew Recreation Hall in 1957.arthur dear collection, kew light opera company, the maid of the mountains -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The Maid of the Mountains / by Harold Fraser-Simson, 1957
Arthur Henry Dear was an employee of the City of Kew, acting as Hall Keeper of the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street, and later the new Kew City Hall in Cotham Road. The Arthur Dear Collection contains memorabilia - tickets, programmes, invitations - as well as his identification badge. Items in the collection dates from the 1940s to the 1960s. The Kew Recreation Hall (Wellington Street) and later the Kew City Hall (Cotham Road) were major locations in suburban Melbourne in the postwar period for civic and private events including theatre productions and exhibitions. The Arthur Dear Collection (in conjunction with the scrapbooks compiled by Marion Tilley) provide a comprehensive snapshot of performing arts in Kew during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. The collection includes valuable data about performances, performers, directors etc., during this period. Photograph of a performance or a rehearsal of The Maid of the Moutains, performed by the Kew Light Opera Company in the Kew Recreation Hall in 1957.arthur dear collection, performing arts -- kew -- victoria, theatre memorabilia, kew light opera company -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Plaque, Kew City Hall : Opened by The Hon H.E. Bolte M.L.A. Premier of Victoria 23rd April 1960 : Cr H.H. Ferguson J.P. Mayor, 1960
The Municipality of Kew was proclaimed on 19 December 1860, then upgraded to a Borough (1863), a Town (1910) and finally a City (1921). From 1865, its offices were based in the former Athenaeum Hall in Walpole Street, which, although extended in 1883, inevitably became inadequate. Plans for a new purpose-built Town Hall were first mooted in the late 1880s, but fell prey to six subsequent decades of debate. During that time, many sites were considered and rejected, and several schemes prepared. Finally, in 1945, it was resolved to build a new civic centre as a war memorial. The council acquired Southesk, a mansion on the south-west corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street – first mooted as a possible Town Hall site two decades earlier – and plans for a civic precinct were drawn up by John Scarborough. The project stalled until 1957, when a Town Hall Committee was formed and a new architect appointed: Harold Bartlett of Leith & Bartlett. He also proposed an entire civic precinct, of which a large public hall would constitute Stage One. Designed to accommodate almost any public or official function, the space had had a small stage at one end for intimate theatrical productions, a larger stage at the other (with operable sunken orchestra pit) for musical performances, plus the most up-to-date equipment for live TV transmission. The building, befitting its original intent as a war memorial, was also to include a sculpted monument, for which a separate design competition was held. First prize went to George H Allen (1900-1972), long-time head of the Sculpture Department at RMIT and a former war artist himself (the only one, in fact, to have worked in the medium of sculpture). At the time of the Kew project, Allen was best known for his Cenotaph at the Shrine of Remembrance (1955) and a controversial abstract sculpture at Hume House in William Street (1957). Tenders for the new hall were called and the contract (worth £104,986) was awarded to H F Yuncken. The foundation stone was laid by the Mayor, Cr F C O'Brien, on 1 June 1959. Completion (initially scheduled for October) was delayed by the unavailability of certain materials; it was barely finished in time for the official opening (by Premier Henry Bolte) on 23 April 1960. The war memorial was unveiled two days later (Anzac Day) by Bolte's deputy, the Hon A G Rylah. Fittingly, that year also marked Kew's municipal centenary, and many celebratory events were held in and around the new civic centre in December, including a special council meeting (attended by the Prime Minister), a tree planting ceremony and a youth ball. Source: Survey of Built Heritage in Victoria: Stage Two (Built Heritage Pty Ltd., 2010)Plaque commemorating the opening of a new town hall in KewMetal plaque recording the official opening of the Kew City Hall, 23rd April 1960. This plaque was given to the Kew Historical Society in 1991 by the former City of Kew.Kew City Hall / Opened by / The Hon. H.E. Bolte M.L.A. / Premier of Victoria / 23rd April 1960 / Cr. H.G. Ferguson J.P. - Mayor.kew city hall, foundation stones - kew (vic), sir henry bolte, local government -- kew (vic.) -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Plaque, A Special Meeting of the Kew City Council Was Held in This Hall on 13th December 1960 to Commemorate the Centenary of Kew : Cr. W.H.S. Dickinson M.B.E., J.P. Mayor, 1960
The Municipality of Kew was proclaimed on 19 December 1860, then upgraded to a Borough (1863), a Town (1910) and finally a City (1921). From 1865, its offices were based in the former Athenaeum Hall in Walpole Street, which, although extended in 1883, inevitably became inadequate. Plans for a new purpose-built Town Hall were first mooted in the late 1880s, but fell prey to six subsequent decades of debate. During that time, many sites were considered and rejected, and several schemes prepared. Finally, in 1945, it was resolved to build a new civic centre as a war memorial. The council acquired Southesk, a mansion on the south-west corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street – first mooted as a possible Town Hall site two decades earlier – and plans for a civic precinct were drawn up by John Scarborough. The project stalled until 1957, when a Town Hall Committee was formed and a new architect appointed: Harold Bartlett of Leith & Bartlett. He also proposed an entire civic precinct, of which a large public hall would constitute Stage One. Designed to accommodate almost any public or official function, the space had had a small stage at one end for intimate theatrical productions, a larger stage at the other (with operable sunken orchestra pit) for musical performances, plus the most up-to-date equipment for live TV transmission. The building, befitting its original intent as a war memorial, was also to include a sculpted monument, for which a separate design competition was held. First prize went to George H Allen (1900-1972), long-time head of the Sculpture Department at RMIT and a former war artist himself (the only one, in fact, to have worked in the medium of sculpture). At the time of the Kew project, Allen was best known for his Cenotaph at the Shrine of Remembrance (1955) and a controversial abstract sculpture at Hume House in William Street (1957). Tenders for the new hall were called and the contract (worth £104,986) was awarded to H F Yuncken. The foundation stone was laid by the Mayor, Cr F C O'Brien, on 1 June 1959. Completion (initially scheduled for October) was delayed by the unavailability of certain materials; it was barely finished in time for the official opening (by Premier Henry Bolte) on 23 April 1960. The war memorial was unveiled two days later (Anzac Day) by Bolte's deputy, the Hon A G Rylah. Fittingly, that year also marked Kew's municipal centenary, and many celebratory events were held in and around the new civic centre in December, including a special council meeting (attended by the Prime Minister), a tree planting ceremony and a youth ball. Source: Survey of Built Heritage in Victoria: Stage Two (Built Heritage Pty Ltd., 2010)Historically significant commemorative plaqueMetal plaque relating to special Council meeting to mark centenary of Kew, 13th December 1960. This plaque was given to the Kew Historical Society in 1991 by the former City of Kew.A Special Meeting Of The / Kew City Council Was Held In / This Hall On 13th December 1960 / To Commemorate / The Centenary of Kew / Cr. W.H.S. Dickinson, M.B.E., J.P., / Mayorkew city hall, foundation stones - kew (vic), cr. w.h.s. dickinson, local government -- kew (vic.)