TRANSITION EXHIBITION ON SATURDAY 14TH NOVEMBER

Here Studio will launch  their much anticipated 5 concepts at the Transition Exhibition on Saturday 14th November at 10.00am  in the Civic Hall car park.  Members of the Save Civic Hall group have worked tirelessly  over the past years for restoration and retention of the Hall for future use by the community.  Everyone is invited to view the 5 concepts and offer feedback to Here Studio.

THE PARTNERSHIP GROUP

The Partnership Group, comprising Councillors, members of Save Civic Hall, The Committee for Ballara and, more recently, Commerce Ballarat and Ballarat Foundation, has been meeting with Here Studio for the past 12 months.  Some of these meetings have been frustrating for our members and others as some design concepts emerge without a clear vision of  usability.

Currently we understand from the draft sketches that there is only one design emerging from the Participatory Design Process that Save Civic Hall would support.    Only Option 2  appears to retain both the main hall and Lower Hall, flytower and foyer.  

Save Civic Hall has a clear vision for the Civic Hall’s future and will continue to advocate for the best outcome for maximum usage by the community and others.

$100 MILLION DOLLAR PRICE TAG FOR THE CIVIC HALL REDEVELOPMENT IS MISLEADING

A recent article in the Courier suggested that it would cost $100 million to redevelop the Civic Hall.  This is misleading as this is for development of the whole site,  not just the Civic hall.

Estimation for the Civic Hall  for stage 1 of its redevelopment is $10-12 million. This $ amount would prepare it to be event ready.  This does not include any other development that may go on the site.

THE BUILDING IS SAVED BUT WHAT ABOUT THE INTERIOR?

There has been much debate about the Civic Hall’s future uses and what can and cannot be altered.   A number of changes have been discussed none of which Save Civic Hall accept:

• The stage and flytower could be blocked off  while its use is considered.  A new stage could be erected in front of the original stage greatly reducing seating capacity, therefore making it a competitor for all smaller venues.  

• Graduated seating which would destroy its multi-purpose  functionality resulting in the loss of the dance floor.

• The entrance  could be moved to the Eastern side of the building and foyer used for another purpose.

• The Upper Floor Dress Circle rear seating divided into small lecture theatres or meeting rooms.  Patrons would no longer be able to view the stage from the upper floor.

• Snack bars could be developed into a restaurant which would further reduce the seating capacity.

• The Lower Civic Hall and Flytower could become part of the Library redevelopment with a possible partial or full demolition of the Lower Civic Hall.

• The loss of one of the staircases in the foyer which could hinder an emergency exit leaving only one staircase in use and a lift that could not be used in the event of a fire.

These are only a few of the ideas that have been discussed during Phase 2 of the Process, it is critical for the community to view the next 5 concepts and offer feedback to Consultants Here Studio.

THE PEOPLE’S HALL EXHIBITION NOW  IN THE VICTORIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTION

Documentation of “The People’s Hall…” – exhibition, held at Backspace Gallery in June 2015, was recently accepted into The Victorian Historical Society after its nomination for a Community History Award.  This is great news as it will be preserved for future generations andbecome a valuable resource for anyone researching Ballarat’s history.

Items that were accepted included photos, promotional posters, brochures and film footage by WIN NEWS.

As the Society has many entries for 2015 it will take some time to list them all so here is the link to the site for future reference.

http://www.historyvictoria.org.au/collections

Thank you to the Ballarat Community and all Civic Hall supporters  who visited the exhibition and made it a resounding success. 

BALLARAT CIVIC HALL COLLECTION IS NOW A REALITY AT THE GOLD MUSEUM

On the 12th October 2015 Merle, Barbara and Judith met with Senior Curator, Roger Trudgeon to donate some of the items from The People’s Hall-Civic Hall Exhibition, plus photos of the exhibition and photographic greeting cards by Judith Buchanan for Save Civic Hall.  Mary Kelly, resident and former user of The Civic Hall also attended and donated many of the event programs which were on show at the exhibition at the Backspace Gallery back in June.

 Mary also donated a rare and precious black and white photo of the Vibratones performing at Civic Hall.  It was rare because it is the only photo that we know of that was taken from the balcony in the dress circle area on the 1st floor and is an amazing view of this event in the 1960’s.  Mary also donated other unrelated items.

View from the balcony….The Vibratones at a 1960’s event

Merle Hathaway donated some of her precious and personal items such a trophy cup she won at one of the South Street  elocution competitions and some accompanying news paper articles in addition to some other personal Civic Hall treasures.  Curator Roger Trudgeon was delighted to accept the items on behalf of the Gold Museum in the interest of preserving Civic Hall History for future generations.

A big thank you must got to Barbara Cytowicz for organising the visit and enabling the exchange if items.  We must also thank the Gold Museum for their support during Civic Hall -The People’s Hall Exhibition and initiating a Civic Hall Collection.

Curator Roger Trudgeon is a very happy man after receiving donations for the Civic Hall Collection.

THE CIVIC HALL HISTORICAL WALK

Barbara has also developed a wonderful online resource for The Civic Hall Historical Walk.  There is a map of the Heritage Precinct with photos and descriptions of various buildings and highlights on the way.  She also points out the locations of the Civic Hall’s predecessor halls, The Alfred Hall and The Coliseum.  Some of Ballarat’s most spectacular Victorian architecture is on show as well as some Art Deco gems.  Now the weather is a little warmer why not pack a picnic and take the challenge or better still stop off at all the eateries and cafes along the way.  

http://walkingmaps.com.au/walk/2315

WE ARE NOW APPROACHING THE END OF PHASE 2 OF THE PARTICIPATORY DESIGN PROCESS

Here Studio are now in the final stages of the formulation of 10-5 concepts for  the forthcoming conclusion of phase 2 of the Participatory Design Process.  This is expected to conclude towards the end of October.

There will be a Community event on 14th November to celebrate this milestone and the 5 concepts will be on show to the public.   Details to be announced by Here Studio in the near future.

http://www.civichallsite.org/upcoming_events

ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM… BY HERE STUDIO

An environmental Forum and panel discussion took place at M.A.D.E on Thursday 15th October.  The guest speakers presented a talk on what they believed were the environmental issues  surrounding the Civic Hall.   The different views made for an  interesting discussion with lots of questions from the audience.  The conclusion was that there were still many unknowns about the Environmental issues associated with the Civic Hall Site and more work needs to be done to uncover the facts.

The guests were Gavin Cerini, Angela Enbom, MC Matt Briody, Michelle Emma James, Penny Greenslade and Dave Kendal.

The Sign will be out and the Balloons and streamers will be up:

Come and Join us to celebrate the 59th Anniversary of the opening of the Civic Hall at the Foyer this Thursday 20th August.  Here Studio will be open as usual from 12-7pm and we encourage all the community to visit the foyer and view the 10 concepts as the consultants are preparing to narrow them down to 5 concepts during phase 2 of the Community Participatory Design Process.  It is important to have your say so please participate.

You can view this amazing celebratory cake and at 5.00pm we will cut the cake and you can help us eat it and wash it down with a complementary drink to toast the Civic Hall’s past and it’s future service to the Community. 

Image is owned by the Central Highlands Library

Thursday 20th August marks the 59th year of the opening of The Ballarat Civic Hall in 1956. The very same day the lock was turned for the very last time on the Alfred Hall (Now Big W) which was considered beyond repair and later demolished.  A procession took place from the closure of the Alfred Hall to the opening of the magnificent Civic Hall.  Mayor Callow led the procession.

Plans for the Civic Hall were formulated in 1939 but were unable to be implemented until after World War 11 due to financial constraints and manpower as the war consumed all resources.  It is a great testimony to the strength and persistence  of people of Ballarat that they did not give up and were determined to have a Civic Hall to replace the doomed Alfred Hall.

Long serving City of Ballarat Councillor, Herbert Leslie Coburn  left a lasting legacy in Ballarat for his achievements on Council, teaching at the School of Mines  and in his well respected Architectural business .  His architectural prowess and vision led to the erection of many fine public and residential buildings in Ballarat and the Western District.  

The Civic Hall was his Crowning Glory…unfortunately he did not live to see it open on the 20th August 1956, he was admitted to a hospital in Melbourne and  died that same year in September.  

We honour his memory and vow to save his wonderful Civic Hall!

It is only two weeks until our fabulous The People’s Hall- Civic Hall… From Early Concepts Future Possibilities Exhibition  opens at The Backspace Gallery on Thursday 4th June until Sunday 21st June.   We are amazed at the wonderful variety of items that such generous people have been willing to loan for the exhibition and also the assistance from an incredible number of groups and individuals …it just goes to show the enormous  community support for the Civic Hall.

The exhibition will show both sides of the argument as not everyone shares our point of view and the exhibition has to reflect the community as a whole.  Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your neighbours….The exhibition is FREE!!

The Civic Hall Tours:

People were amazed at the interior of the Civic Hall and more amazed at the Lower Civic Hall which has not been seen by the public since its closure.  The two halls are integrated by Coburn’s clever and unusual  design of fitting the Lower Hall underneath the stage of the main auditorium maximizing the use of the undulating land.  The upstairs which leads to the Long Room and Dress Circle is so iconic and forms the Art Deco facade seen from the front of the Civic Hall,  the carpet is in excellent condition as is the embossed ceiling of the main auditorium.  Most of the  beautiful light fittings are still intact.

Both Halls have been the target of graffiti and vandalism over the years but the structures are robust and solid as they were built on a steel frame and built to last.  The tour showed  no evidence of structural damage or cracking of the plaster.  With re-fitting of toilets, kitchens, disabled access and the usual restorations associated with an older building, there is no reason why the halls could not be useful to the community once more.  

It is all up to us as a community to send a clear message to Council and attend the Open Door Studio and tell Here Studio staff what we like or do not like about the 10 concepts that have been developed following the 1st phase of the Community Design Process.  The Save Civic Hall Group advocate the full retention of both the Main Hall and the Lower Hall for community use.

The Open Door Studio is open for the 2nd phase of the process:

9.00am -5.00am Tuesdays

12.00 noon – 7.00pm Thursdays

1st Saturday of the Month 9.00am -1.00pm

The Art Deco Walks

The Art Deco Walks were as popular as ever and participants were delighted to be able to go into the foyer and see inside the hall.  The rain held off for the walks .  Robin Grow explained the significance of the Civic Hall and gave an insight to designer, Les Coburn’s work as an architect.  We were also educated on the progression of architecture moving from the Victorian Era to Art Nouveau and then into the Art Deco and Modernist period and the reasons for the progression.  Very informative!…we look forward to Robin Grow returning for next year’s Heritage Weekend.