Save Civic Hall group is so proud to announce that we are short listed as finalists for the 2018 Ballarat Heritage Awards in the category of Communicating, Promoting and Celebrating Heritage.

The nomination came unexpectedly from a member of the community and supporter of the retention of the Civic Hall.  We nominated in 2016 but did not make the short listing. So much has happened since then and the Civic Hall is now seen as an asset.

To be finalists in this prestigious award is great acknowledgement to the extensive work of our group members and to the many people in the community who supported us over the years.   Winners will be announced on Tuesday May 15, we certainly have our fingers crossed!

http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/media/4475999/peoples_choice_save_civic_hall.pdf

Voting is now open for Save Civic Hall in the 2018 Heritage Awards National Trust People’s Choice Award.

Thanks to all of our supporters for your continued support, the fight goes on to save the Lower Hall.

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.

61st Anniversary Celebratory Cake

Civic Hall Celebrates 61 years

Civic Hall Celebrated the  61st anniversary of her Grand Opening on August 20 with a Fundraiser movie ” Hampstead”  a delightful romantic comedy addressing some very relevant issues pertaining to Civic Hall and the campaign to save Civic Hall from being demolished and the crown  land given over to developers.  

We had a good turn out of people and met some new supporters who were passionate that the entire Civic Hall should be retained, restored and re-opened as soon as possible.  We sang Happy Birthday, raised a glass to the Grand Old Girl and devoured an amazing cake, but left the Lower Civic Hall portion intact…..symbolic of the overall community sentiment to save it.  

A big thank you to all those people who purchased tickets and supported this event.  We raised some much needed funds to continue our work to save Civic Hall.  

The opening of the Ballarat Civic Hall August 20 1956

Meeting with Council Officers, The Mayor and Architect, John Clark

On Wednesday August 23 ,representatives of Save Civic Hall and Ballarat Arts Alive met with CEO Justine Linley, Mayor Samantha McIntosh, Council Officers and John Clark, Architect of Baumgart Clark Architects. 

This was a very good opportunity to see the latest re-development plans and ask questions of the Council and Architect John Clark.  There were some serious flaws with the plans and people from Ballarat Arts Alive were able to point out what would and would not work with potential users.  

We were advised that experts in Theatre Design were about to be brought in to further develop the plan.  it was the first meeting and we were assured that there would be further opportunities to view any further plans and offer feedback.  

It was a very positive meeting, however there was still no assurance that the Lower Civic Hall would be included in any further plans, something that does not sit well with us and we will continue to lobby for its retention.

Lower Civic Hall Foyer

Public Meeting Tuesday September 5 , 2017

Everyone is encouraged to attend a free Public Meeting to discuss the future of the Civic Hall on Tuesday September 5 at Frangos & Sons Greek Restaurant, 313 Sturt St (next to Myer).  We hope to see you there to share any information and ideas.

Songways Music Mapping

Civic Hall is now featuring on Ballarat Historic Urban Landscape website, including the wonderful INXS poster for our Backspace exhibition in 2015.

Help us Save the Lower Civic Hall from Demolition.

Film Fundraiser to save the Lower Civic Hall.

Save Civic Hall is having a Movie Fund Raiser on Sunday August 20 at 4.30pm to celebrate the 61st Anniversary of the opening of the Civic Hall on 20 August 1956.
Funds are needed to continue our work to lobby Local and State Governments to retain the entire building including the retention of the Lower Civic Hall for community events and performances now and into the future.

The Lower Civic Hall is vital to the overall viability of the Civic Hall as this is where all the necessary amenities are located for successful performances.  The Civic Hall was purpose built to cater for all the needs of the community and performances.  It is cleverly interlinked and is one building with two halls.  Although they can both hold events at the same time they are integrated and should never be separated as the building would be ruined should demolition of the Lower Civic Hall take place.

 
Any unused funds will go towards the development of a Civic Hall Foundation.
Come along and join in the fun at the Regent Cinema and later at the George Hotel for drinks and a cake. 

The movie is Hampstead, a delightful romantic drama/comedy that deals with issues of ageing and homelessness.

To purchase tickets:
Visit – Frank Ford Travel, 1209 Sturt St, Ballarat
or phone Merle 0419324042 or Brian 0447486719

Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser this Sunday August 6

Save Civic Hall is having a Sausage Sizzle fundraiser this Sunday August 6 at 10am-2pm outside of Coles Supermarket , Bakery Hill Shopping Complex, Victoria St, Ballarat East 

https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/”/coles+supermarket+ballarat+east/data=!4m5!4m4!1m0!1m2!1m1!1s0x6ad145ab1df69b93:0x598974c5d736b7cc?sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-z__N67rVAhXIsJQKHUPgDLEQ9RcIfjAL

Please call past, say hello and buy a delicious Sausage and/or drink.  Tickets for the Film fundraiser will also be on sale.   

A word from our Save Civic Hall Secretary

“Dear SCH Committee and supporters,

                                                             S.H.E.A. Won the Tender

Photo by Judith Buchanan

White Night:

After experiencing the most incredible event to come to Ballarat it is now time to reflect on what it means for this amazing city.  White Night attracted 40+ thousand people to the city. Guest houses, hotels and motels were booked out.  Cafes and restaurants reported their best ever trade.  The projections and entertainment were magnificent.  We can be proud of our local artists and performers who really gave their best and put on outstanding shows and performances.  The enormous  crowd soaked up the  atmosphere of the massive street party and entertainment……we marveled at White Night.  Please come back next year!

The Civic Hall looked splendid with her facade and sides lit up as they do every night since the restoration of her facade.   People  admired her as they walked to and from their cars on route to  Lydiard St.   If  White Night should return, The Civic Hall could be lit up with projections and be a beacon of welcome from the Creswick Road entry to the city.  After all Civic Hall featured in the very first Laser Kinetics show in Victoria.  What a spectacle it would be!

In 1984 the Civic Hall was the canvas for the very first Laser Kinetics Supershow in Victoria by pioneer Joseph Stanislaus Ostoja-Kotkowski, known for his ground breaking works in Chromasonics, Laser Kinetics and sound and image productions.  His show formed part of the Begonia Festival celebrations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Stanislaus_Ostoja-Kotkowski

Photo by Judith Buchanan

The Future of Civic Hall:

Council now has to consider Tenders for the restoration of the interior of the main hall and landscaping of the Plaza and Western side.   Save Civic Hall supports the Council’s application for funding of $4 million to the Federal Government  for  the implementation of the necessary works.  However we do not support any loss of its heritage and functional  features such as  the stage, balcony, dress circle and flytower.  Nor do we support demolition of part of the Lower Civic Hall.  We support the restoration of the hall in its entirety and its original use as a venue for community events and performance.

With the amount of festivals and events growing the need for a large public hall has never been greater.   With 40,000+ people attending White Night it is a no brainer! 

Photo by Judith Buchanan

Historical Documents of events now available through FOI:

Documents have just become available through Freedom of Information,  giving us a picture of the type of community  events and attendance numbers for 1995-98.  a picture emerges indicating that it was a thriving venue.