Historical information
Taken in 1973, this photograph features 13 men in suits, most of whom are council members of the United Shire of Beechworth, as well as a secretary and engineer. The photo is taken in a formal setting, suggesting there may have been an occasion at this time (potentially surrounding or related to the August council meeting).
Previously a district (1856), then a borough (1863) and separate shire (1866) at this time the Local Government Area (LGA) had been known by this name for approximately two years, after having amalgamated with the still-existing borough. Beechworth amalgamated with Rutherglen and Chiltern Yackandandah to become the Indigo Shire Council in 1994.
Little has been found about the men in the photograph, however this was at also around the time that women were becoming more widely accepted into positions on Victorian council (such as Valerie Mason, who was elected the first President of the United Shire of Beechworth council 6 years after this photograph.)
The photograph has been taken in front of the Beechworth Shire Hall. The Hall was designed by architects J.J. Coe and Thomas Dalziel and is dated to 1859. Originally the building was used as the Shire Offices but also doubled as a fire station and a courthouse, with still surviving cells underneath. The Town Hall is now home to the Visitor Information Centre, is the starting point for historical Precinct walking tours and is available for hire for events or community meetings.
Significance
The Beechworth Town Hall is one of five distinctive granite buildings on Ford Street that comprise the Justice Precinct, and is listed on the Victorian Heritage register.
This photograph captures the ongoing importance and use of the Beechworth Town Hall and its ties to Council operations in the 1970s.
Physical description
Black and white rectangular photograph print matt photographic paper
Inscriptions & markings
Reverse - written in pencil upper right corner: 1997.2602; stamped in black ink across centre margin: Beechworth shire council Aug.1973/ Crs.H.H.Warner, H.C.Lucas, L.W. Powell, L. Leentjes, R.C. Sewell, T.J. Carroll/ G.Gray (Secry), Crs.R.P. O'Connor, D. Nankervis, D. McKenzie-McHaig, J.J. Macaulay, H.R. Sinclair/ D.Pope (Engineer), Absent Cr.J.V.Diffey; written in pencil in cursive lower left margin: Absent J Diffey; written in pencil bottom right edge: BMMA02602
Subjects
References
- Municipality of Beechworth, Victoria A brief history of the Municipality of Beechworth by Museums Victoria in relation to an object from their collection: Medal - Sesquicentenary of Victoria, Shire of Beechworth, 1985. Written by Ms Deborah Tout-Smith Senior Curator of Home & Community Life at Museums Victoria.
- Accessibility at Beechworth Visitor Information Centre Contains images of the Town Hall's facade that indicate this is the same building shown in this photograph.
- Shire Hall - Beechworth Historic Area Victorian Heritage listing for Beechworth Town/Shire Hall
- FIRST WOMEN ELECTED TO VICTORIAN COUNCILS Appears to be a work-in-progress list of first women elected to Victorian councils, with two books for further reference.
- Town Hall Information page on contemporary use of the Beechworth Town Hall