History of the Fitzroy Town Hall

The Fitzroy Town Hall (FTH) was built in 1873 and is on the corner of Napier and Moor Streets, Fitzroy in Melbourne’s inner-city.

The vision statement for the Fitzroy Town Hall is:

“A place to learn, work, celebrate, hold a public meeting, hear music, see a play, read a newspaper, borrow a book, jump on the web, dance, plan a community campaign, find out what’s on locally, discover local history.

The Fitzroy Town Hall will:

• be a living building;
• be a community focal point
• be a well managed historic and municipal asset
• play a role in the local and broader cultural life of Melbourne.”

(Fitzroy Town Hall Vision and Strategic Use Framework; City of Yarra: August 2004)

History
The Fitzroy Town Hall is an important example of a High Victorian building and is associated with two prominent Melbourne architects: William J Ellis and George R Johnson.

It is also a symbol of the growth of Melbourne during the land boom prior to the 1890s and representative of the aspirations and burgeoning wealth of Melbourne during the gold rush years. The reading room wing is one of the earliest and most intact examples of a public lending library in Victoria.

The Fitzroy Town Hall is of considerable local architectural and social significance. It is a highly visible and recognisable building, representing local identity and the presence of local government in Fitzroy. It has been the focus of decision-making and service provision by local government, and the venue for many civil, social and educational events and activities. 

FTH Community Reference Group
The FTH Community Reference Group (FTH CRG) includes representatives from local organisations and residents. The group first met in October 2004. The terms of reference state that the aims of the group are:

• ‘To provide a forum for regular information exchange between Council and the community in relation to the broad strategic role of the FTH; and
• To assist with the implementation of the FTH strategic use framework. ‘

The FTH CRG continues to meet on a regular basis and assists Council with advice on the strategic direction for the facility.

Official Reopening
An official opening of the restored Fitzroy Town Hall was held from Sunday 18 to Friday 23 March 2007, celebrating its place as a significant cultural facility and place of governance.

The celebrations reflected on the place the FTH has in our shared local heritage and our future as a culturally rich and vibrant community.

Major works were undertaken to upgrade the Fitzroy Town Hall and this has allowed for the housing of a number of Council departments, Councillors' resource areas, community tenants, and the Fitzroy Branch of Yarra Libraries.

With the installation of the lift, major restoration work to the Reading Room through a Heritage Victoria grant, and completion of works to the entrance, the facility is now fully operational and provides a unique community asset.

Bookings
A number of spaces are available for community and commercial functions. For further details, contact Civic Facilities on 9205 5446 or email info@yarracity.vic.gov.au

Further Information
To find out more about the history of Fitzroy and its town hall, visit the Fitzroy Local History Collection at the Fitzroy Library, Moor Street, Fitzroy or contact the Fitzroy History Society by emailing fitzroyhistorysociety@yahoo.com.au

Further reading available at the Fitzroy Library

• The Fitzroy Town Hall Conservation Management Plan
  Written by Allom Lovell & Associates in May 1996.
• Fitzroy: Melbourne’s First Suburb
  Written by the Cutten History Committee of the Fitzroy History Society and published by Hyland House in 1989.
• The Fitzroy Public Library 1887-1987: A History.
  Written by Carole Woods and published by the Fitzroy History Society in 2000.
• Fitzroy: A Descriptive Bibliography
  Written by Carole Woods and published by the Ethel Margaret Cutten Trust in 1989.

Attachments

• Fitzroy Town Hall Vision and Strategic Framework
• Reading Room Wing Vision
• Fitzroy Town Hall History Information Booklet
• Fitzroy Town Hall Interpretive Text Panels
• Fitzroy Town Hall Heritage Interpretation & Exhibition Community Workshop Information

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Further information

Arts & Cultural Services
c/o Richmond Town Hall,
333 Bridge Rd, Richmond
Telephone 9205 5555
Email info@yarracity.vic.gov.au

Links

Within this site
Yarra City Council

External sites (Yarra City Council accepts no responsibility for the information or opinions contained within external sites)

Local and Regional History at Yarra-Melbourne Libraries

Information supplied by: Electronic communications & design officer - 9205 5214

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