All posts by Merle Hathaway

About Merle Hathaway

I am currently Secretary of Save Civic Hall and the co-ordinator of Communications and Media. When not volunteering for SCH, I am a freelance arts administrator, curator and jack of all trades to do with promoting and supporting the arts.

Petition & VCAT to save the Lower Hall from demolition

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Civic Hall, Lower Hall
The Civic Hall today, showing the Lower Hall on the right.

The City of Ballarat is now working on restoration and updating the facilities of the Civic Hall. It should be open in 6 months. However the State Government is determined to demolish an important part of it – the Lower Hall.

Save Civic Hall has therefore no other option that to take the state government to VCAT. We also are circulating a petition, which people are queuing up to sign!

We are asking for the state government to build around the Lower Hall or, preferably, build their 5-storey office block somewhere else.

Petitions can be found at some of Ballarat’s best coffee shops and watering holes – Stockade Cellars, The Turret Cafe, GCs and Wholefoods Cafe.

The state government has shown its ability to ignore the community – just look at the demolition already occurring at Ballarat Station.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Ballarat Heritage Award for SCH

News

The years of hard work of the committee and supporters of Save Civic Hall were recognised last night when we received a National Trust Ballarat Heritage Award for Communicating, Promoting & Celebrating Heritage.

We were taken by surprise by the nomination and shortlisting. Our presentation to the judges included organisation of forums, exhibitions, fundraisers, celebrations, and gaining 2,000 objections to Council’s proposed demolition of the hall in 2013.

Currently the main section of the Civic Hall is at last being restored as a multi purpose venue, and should be open by the end of the year.

Save Civic Hall has indeed saved (most of) the hall. Read on for the not so good news …

SCH members with Mayor Samantha McIntosh at the Ballarat Heritage Awards 15 May 2018

And the bad news is ..

At a meeting earlier in the day Development Victoria confirmed that it has always intended to demolish the Lower Hall to build its “Gov Hub” adjacent to the Civic Hall. Even more shockingly, it will sell off the Gov Hub as soon as it is finished in 2020.
So Ballarat loses a much-needed 400-seat hall, and then loses the Gov Hub building to a developer! As at the heritage Ballarat Railway Station local amenities are being lost forever to create revenue for the State Government. Greed at its worst!

SCH at site inspection 15 May 2018

New look for Civic Hall

Event, News

The Civic Hall Plaza gardens are approaching completion:

The landscaping of the Civic Hall Plaza is approaching completion although there is controversy over the finishing touches.  Does the red paint of the concrete edges fit with the colours used during the early post war period?  Does it respect the heritage of the era?  To help  you decide take the Civic Hall Precinct Walk compiled by member Barbara Cytowicz .

https://walkingmaps.com.au/walk/3856

The Current Situation:

Council cancelled an event on January 27 that was to take place outside the Civic Hall to launch the Rockabilly Festival and showcase the gardens.  it was cited that the gardens were not ready for the event.  Delays are becoming  increasingly frustrating as the garden  works were due for completion in August 2017.

Restoration of the interior of the Main Hall has not yet commenced.  The future of the Lower Civic Hall remains in doubt with demolition a real possibility as the State government GOV HUB plans were revealed.  Save Civic Hall members have met with Council officers, Regional Development Victoria and the architects for the redevelopment of the Main Hall and the GOV HUB.   The outcomes are less than satisfactory with many concerns over the viability of the Civic Hall into the future if the proposed demolition and development plans are implemented.

The State Government intends to demolish the Lower Hall and erect a new building in its place.  John Wardle Architects claim that an engineers report has been carried out and the structure will withstand  the removal of the Lower Hall.  We have our doubts and have requested to see a copy of this report.  As yet nothing has been forthcoming.  We believe that it is unnecessary to demolish the whole of the Lower Hall.

A firewall is to be erected between the main hall and the new Lower Hall building.  We believe that this will completely separate the building and there will be no access to dressing rooms for the users of the Lower Hall building which will be managed by the GOV HUB.  There is no guarantee that this venue will be available to the community as it will no longer be a Council asset and community use will be up to the Government’s discretion.

The restoration of the main hall has yet to be commenced.  There are concerns over dressing rooms and a green room which  is to be built underneath the main stage with the only access to the stage being a small lift.  The proposed left is far too small to carry people and equipment and would need to be much larger.  Council officers agreed and promised to amend the plan to create a larger lift.

We are in the early part of 2018 and many have just returned from the summer break.  We are hopeful that we can secure another meeting with Council, Regional Development and the architects  to voice our concerns and try to negotiate further.

 

To be or not to be….VCAT is a consideration:

Save Civic Hall is exploring its options and hope that negotiations can continue to secure a good outcome for the community and the users of this amazing structure.  VCAT is an option that we are currently investigating as Council’s own Heritage Adviser  recommended that no part of the Civic Hall should be demolished as it is a significant historical building with a substantial social history that is important to the region.

What Year is this?:

We were delighted that  this poster has emerged.  There was some debate on our Facebook Page as to the year that the event took place.  Most said 1990’s.  It would be interesting to know for sure.  It could for part of a poster-art wall like the one on display at the Music Vault Exhibition…a free permanent exhibition space at the Arts Centre, Melbourne.

The Music Vault:

https://www.australianmusicvault.com.au/

The Music Vault opened in December at the Arts Centre, Melbourne (next to the national Art Gallery) and is a free and permanent exhibition space.   It celebrates the history of Australian contemporary Pop and Rock music from the very early days of the 1950’s up to recent times.  There is so much to see and hear with  film footage , costumes of all your favourite performers, poster art and memorabilia.  The Amplifier is well worth a look with film footage of Countdown performances and The 1972 Sunbury Music Festival.  The exhibition portrays not only music history but celebrates the birth of the unique  Australian Identity and sound  through the development of Australia’s own recording industry that took the world by storm with performers  such as The Easybeats, INXS, Midnight Oil, The Divinyls, ACDC, The Angels,  Olivia Newton John,  Men at Work, Mental As Anything and so many more.

This exhibition also reflects the history of the  Ballarat Civic Hall as many of the performers who are portrayed in the exhibition performed in the very hall that we fought so hard to save.

 Save Civic Hall wishes you a belated Happy New Year  2018, and will continue to work towards the best outcome for our Civic Hall and the Community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1950s Garden Party

Event, News, ,

It’s been a long, continuing slog over the Civic Hall, over so many years and we thought we deserved a little fun! So we are having a Garden Party at my old brewery in Buninyong on Sunday 5 November, 2 – 5pm. Grammar Saxophone Ensemble and Ballarat Ukulele Kollective duo are playing, and at the moment the garden is looking rather gorgeous.

As with the 61st Anniversary in August, this is a chance to again meet and thank our many supporters. It’s free, and there’s prizes for the best 1950s costumes. Our Mayor Samantha McIntosh has agreed to be the judge. Of course, there’s no obligation to dress up. Another prize will go to the best comment or recollection of the year 1956 – the year the Civic Hall was built.

If you’d like to contribute a plate to share, we’d be grateful, or just come! Tea, coffee etc will be provided. The Brewery is an indoor/outdoor venue, in case of poor weather.

Brewery courtyard in Spring

Poor Plans

News

The latest plans from the architects suggest that the Lower Hall will be demolished. This is clearly not a good scenario as the Lower Hall contains all the essential backstage facilities such as dressing rooms etc.
These plans would turn the Civic Hall into little more than a poor venue for meetings. It would be very hard, if not impossible to stage large-scale events – for which it was designed.
civic hall stage Two P 3

Petition to save Lower Hall

News, Uncategorized

A new petition is out to show that Ballarat needs its Lower Hall. The architects of the current draft plans for the interior of the Civic Hall were told to leave out the Lower Hall, to allow for possible demolition to give more space for the proposed State Government offices. So they have had to suggest expensive adaptions to try to reproduce the functions of the Lower Hall within the remaining hall.

This creates unusable small ‘theatres’ on the stage and balcony that do not have the necessary backstage facilities, especially for large-scale performances. So the Civic Hall would have a much reduced capacity.

The Lower Hall seats around 400. It has its own stage and fly tower, snack bar and ticket. Its foyer and adjoining rooms could easily be used by the Library for meetings and training rooms.

It was always a popular space for local groups to hire – used for musicals, dances, speech nights etc. It would be pointless to demolish it.

Sign the Petition to Save the Lower Hall HERE

New Era for Civic Hall

Event, News, Uncategorized

Stage One has at last begun at the Civic Hall, with cleaning and repairs to the facade, and tenders out for landscaping of the entrance and west sides, and new mood lighting to be installed soon. The new CEO, Justine Linley, also appears supportive of simple, commonsense resolution of the 14 years of inaction. As the community has asked for since closure in 2002.

Checks for the new work has confirmed that the building is in excellent condition, with no major structural or other problems.

All of this creates great hope for a positive future for the Hall. A new Council has just been elected, and it is  led by a Mayor who has always strongly supported the retention and reopening of the Civic Hall as a jewell in the crown of the CBD.

Many of the new Councillors have declared their support for retention and reopening of the Civic Hall, and the new Mayor, Cr Samantha McIntosh has been its champion for years, inspired by what was achieved at Heidelberg Town Hall.

WIN TV interviewed some members of Save Civic Hall for tonight’s News.

Civic Hall 60th Anniversary

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The Civic Hall 60th Celebrations unfortunately could not be held inside the grand old hall as repairs are to start soon. However, luckily the rain held off while we followed Beaufort Brass Band from the Town Hall to the front of the Civic Hall where two Mayors addressed the crowd.

Beaufort Brass Band with additional members from Ballarat & Creswick bands lead the march from the Town Hall to the Civic Hall.
Beaufort Brass Band with additional members from Ballarat & Creswick bands led the march from the Town Hall to the Civic Hall.

Town Criers march

 

 

 

 

 

On the steps of the Civic Hall The 1956 Mayor Nathaniel Callow (alias Hedley Thomson) delivered the original, now poignant speech, and today’s Mayor Des Hudson responded, similarly predicting a fine future for the Civic Hall. He acknowledged the role Save Civic Hall played in saving the Hall from demolition. Ballarat’s Town Crier, Brian Whykes, played an important role throughout the day, calling people to order – his voice has hardly lost a decibel over the years! Brian hosted the World Championship of Town Criers at the Civic Hall in 1995, and has been 5 times World Champion.

1956 Mayor Nathaniel Callow (Hedley Thomson), watched by 2016 Mayor Des Hudson, to his left, and Town Crier Brian Whykes on right, and other members of the Australasian Guild of Town Criers.
1956 Mayor Nathaniel Callow (Hedley Thomson) watched by 2016 Mayor Des Hudson and Town Crier Brian Whykes  & members of the Australasian Guild of Town Criers.
Beaufort Brass Band performed items played at the original opening – and we all stood up for “God Save the Queen”. That was strangely moving!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the Trades Hall a number of performers and speakers informed and entertained.  Ballarat Ukulele Kollective started the afternoon, followed by historian Anne Beggs-Sunter. Brett Edgington, Trades Hall Secretary, showed his fine talent for off-the-cuff, stirring delivery. He was a technician at the Civic Hall and spoke of setting up for groups such as Circus Oz, and how the Hall was still needed today

Boat Chorus improvised on the history of the Civic Hall, a talk by historian Dr Anne Beggs-Sunter.
Boat Chorus improvised on the history of the Civic Hall, a talk by historian Dr Anne Beggs-Sunter.
Brett Edgington, Trades Hall Secretary, spoke passionately and eloquently, warning that we easily lose public spaces such as parks and halls if we are not vigilant.
Brett Edgington, Trades Hall Secretary, spoke passionately and eloquently, warning that we easily lose public spaces such as parks and halls if we are not vigilant.

 

 

The Funky Turtles is a Recreation & Social Support Program for young adults with a disability living in Ballarat. It is under the auspices of Pinarc Support Services,
The Funky Turtles is a Recreation & Social Support Program for young adults with a disability living in Ballarat. It is under the auspices of Pinarc Support Services.

 

"Mayor Callow" cuts the cake, assisted by Ballarat Ukulele Kollective members, Vicki Maree Barnett & Gary Mann, and watched by Koby Bunny (who also live-streamed much of the event.)
“Mayor Callow” cuts the cake, assisted by Ballarat Ukulele Kollective members, Vicki Maree Barnett & Gary Mann, and watched by Koby Bunny (who also live-streamed much of the event.)

At the Trades Hall a number of performers and speakers informed and entertained.  Ballarat Ukulele Kollective started the afternoon, followed by historian Anne Beggs-Sunter. Brett Edgington, Trades Hall Secretary, showed his fine talent for off-the-cuff, stirring delivery. He was a technician at the Civic Hall and spoke of setting up for groups such as Circus Oz, and how the Hall was still needed today

It was a great afternoon. Save Civic Hall thanks all who came, and all those who spoke and performed. We look forward to the next major celebration being INSIDE a restored and fully functioning Civic Hall!!

 

Library to take over Civic Hall?

Event, News, Uncategorized,
ch master
In shocking news, Council has revealed its preferred option – to demolish most of the Lower Hall, extending the nearby Library through, taking over the whole of the remaining building. This plan has never been put to the public before, despite the long, expensive “community participatory design process”.
On Wednesday 27 April Council votes on a motion to adopt one of 3 final options. For full details and plans, see Council’s Agenda on www.ballarat.vic.gov.au

You can ask questions without notice, and also make a 3-5 minute submission (ring Council 5320 5500 before 4.30pm to book in.)

Council’s 3 choices are:
  • Option 1 retains the Civic Hall as a multi-purpose space for festivals, events, bands, balls, exhibitions etc. This is the only one to retain the west side park.
  • Option 2 sells off the current Library to developers, and  the Library takes over the Civic Hall with an additional building to the west.
  • In the preferred Option 3 the current Library is linked to the Civic Hall through a demolished Lower Hall.  The Civic Hall  foyer is blocked off for other uses, and the stage, dressing rooms and fly tower are all gone, leaving only the centre part of the main space as a massive reading room.
In the Agenda there’s a very fanciful image  showing the main hall with people in lounge chairs looking through what was the stage to the new entrance building. Can you imagine the cost of heating this huge space on a daily basis?
The public clearly said in so many of the 3,000+ submissions opposing demolition that they wanted the Civic Hall re-opened and re-used for the purpose it was designed. It still is the region’s only large flat-floored venue. It’s unique and would not take a lot of work to repair and improve further.
With Ballarat’s increasing population, we will need more large venues like this.
Option 3 is a mishmash of incoherent ideas. Of course the Library needs to expand, but into appropriate, purpose-built spaces. It’s especially unsuitable to put it into the cavernous spaces of the main hall.
There’s a suggestion that what’s left of the main space could be used for events.  Even if you could clear the lounges etc, what’s left of the main space has no stage, dressing rooms or other performance facilities. Making it quite unsuitable for anything much.
Hard to see this as anything other than a cynical exercise in ticking off on “community use” to put the Library into the Civic Hall.
The community deserves better!
ch master 2

Ballarat Arts Alive concern for Civic Hall

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Ballarat Arts Alive is the key body representing artists and arts people of Ballarat and district.

Today it released a BAA open letter Civic Hall concerns. This expresses its opposition to recent proposals which would seriously impact on future usage and viability of the Civic Hall.

The latest plans include immediate blocking off the stage and dressing rooms, green rooms etc, irreversibly changing the foyer by adding a kitchen and pseudo Art Deco spiral staircase, and dividing the balcony in to four sections to make tiny theatrettes.

Major professional arts organisations have also expressed concern for these aspects.

Ballarat Arts Alive has found no support in the general or arts community for the above changes, which would also seriously impact on the integrity of the 1956 architecture.

Read all about it!