Historic Balmain Town Hall and Library will reopen this Saturday following an extensive renovation to improve this historic facility for the community.
Inner West Council has invested over $4 million to restore the Balmain Town Hall and Library over the last seven months to meet contemporary design standards and preserve its heritage features.
With the refurbishment of the Balmain Town Hall, we now have a beautiful venue that is suitable for performances, weddings, functions and key community events.
Key improvements include:
- Restoration of the heritage façade and tower stairs
- Updated kitchenette and refreshed bathroom amenities in the Town Hall
- Enhanced library layout with new furniture, carpet, shelving and expanded work and flexible study areas
- An important change is that we have reinstated the connection between the Old Council Chambers, now called the Uncle Bob Webb Chambers, that will provide the community with additional seating, if the space is not being used for a program or hirer
- A new colour scheme throughout the Library and Town Hall auditorium that enhances the heritage while giving it a contemporary feel
- Upgraded roof, air conditioning and humidity control, electrical systems, and lighting services
We have named the updated spaces in honour of prominent local citizens for their contributions to the community. These include:
The 'Uncle Bob Webb' Chambers – Uncle Bob was an active member of the Inner West community and the first indigenous Councillor on Leichhardt Council. Uncle Bob served on the Executive Committee of the Local Government Aboriginal Network for over 20 years. In his later years, Uncle chaired Inner West Council's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee and maintained a strong commitment to mentoring and support for Aboriginal people.
Uncle Bob was a strong advocate across the Inner West and worked tirelessly for the Aboriginal community for social justice, equality, and recognition.
The 'Margaret Throsby' Room – Long-time Balmain resident Margaret Throsby has had a decades-long broadcasting career encompassing both radio and television. Joining the ABC as an announcer in 1967, Margaret presented music and current affairs programs and ensured many important stories were told.
Accolades for her achievements include, Member of the Order of Australia (for Services to Broadcasting, 1989), Variety Club of Australia's Radio Award, Golden Gavel Award presented by the Law Society of NSW for Excellence in Legal Reporting, Children's Week Award Media Award and Rostrum Speaker of the Year.
The 'Edna Ryan' Room – Edna had a life of extraordinary activism on behalf of the working class, working particularly with women well into her 70s.
Edna focused her energies on the Municipal Employees Union where she carried out many campaigns with her major focus on working women and the ongoing struggle to achieve equality in the workplace.
Her research submissions and lobbying were critical in the landmark equal pay decision of the Commonwealth Arbitration Commission in 1974.
Even more exciting, Balmain Town Hall will reopen as an arts and cultural venue available free of charge to arts and cultural organisations as part of our Creative Town Halls program.
We have now converted all 7 of our town halls to artistic venues, available free of charge, and kitted them out with audio-visual, recording and live performance equipment, so that they are easy and attractive to use.
Opening of Balmain Town Hall and Library:
- Date: Saturday, 17 August 2024
- Time: 11:00am to 2:00pm. Official proceedings from 11.00am to 11.30am.
- Venue: Balmain Town Hall, 370 Darling Street, Balmain
There will be free activities to celebrate this special occasion, including heritage tours, Family Tales storytelling sessions, live performances and competitions and quizzes for all ages.
