Council & Business
17 September, 2024
Council chamber back in business
With works in the chamber now finished, the historic space has opened up.
After 12 years of vacancy, the Maryborough Town Hall’s historic council chamber has finally opened its doors to reveal a modern interior, accentuated by the past — fit for civic deliberations pushing the shire into the future, while preserving its traditions.
Last night’s council meeting held at the chamber, was the first but not the last, with the space set to permanently host councillors’ monthly proceedings from now onwards.
It is understood that the last time the council chamber was used for its original purpose was more than a decade ago.
Now, with contemporary light fixtures, an audio visual conferencing system, and necessary upgrades, the chamber is fully operational.
“It’s a historic moment for Maryborough,”, Midlands Historical Society president Barb Nielsen said.
“Local government history has come around full circle with the Central Goldfields Shire Council meetings returning to the original council chambers in [our] heritage listed Town Hall.
“Borough council meetings, presided over by the then mayor Alexander Lowenstein, were held in the newly opened Town Hall from 1888 onwards — a grand ball marked the official opening in July of that year.”
Although the new chamber boasts modernised facilities, it has also preserved elements reflective of the past — some of which could, it is believed, date back to when the space was first built.
The Advertiser got an exclusive sneak peek into the brand-new chamber last week and we’ve put together a visual guide of key historical items one can find in there.
From the commanding mayoral chair, and modest wooden windows to the significant McLandress Cup and another timely relic — there’s history in every corner of the chamber.
With the council chamber now operational, works to reopen the Town Hall are also nearing completion.
The hall has been closed to the public since 2021 after safety concerns were raised regarding the building’s existing electrical infrastructure.
According to the Central Goldfields Shire Council: “It is a valued community asset with architectural significance as a notable and largely intact example of a late nineteenth century provincial town hall, and as a major public building designed by the prominent Melbourne architect George Johnson.”