Media releases

Sydney landmark offers trip down memory lane

Published 23 May 2016

For more than 140 years, Sydney Town Hall has been the centrepiece of life events and social functions in our city from debutante balls, political rallies, civic ceremonies, concerts by KISS and Lady Gaga and the first home of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Celebrating this fascinating history, Sydney Town Hall is opening its doors and inviting everyone to wander through the interiors of the historic building, and enjoy its historic collection of artefacts, in a free, family-friendly weekend event.

We Love Sydney Town Hall, on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June, will feature life-sized historical figures, ballroom dancing lessons, period costume fancy dress and The Town Hall Crier. Visitors will be able to walk the red carpet into the Town Hall and enjoy the magnificence of the Vestibule and Centennial Hall.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the event was all about celebrating the social significance of Sydney Town Hall through some of the many ways it has been used and loved by the community.

“From the many generations who met on Town Hall Steps to the grand events in the building itself, this is one of the most significant public meeting places in our city,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Sydney Town Hall is one of Australia’s great sandstone buildings, and earlier this year we completed an extensive $40 million, four-year refurbishment, restoring this historic building to its former glory.

“Come along on the weekend and share your stories and memories from Sydney Town Hall’s remarkable past.”

We Love Sydney Town Hall will feature:

Characters

Visitors will encounter life-size figures of personalities who walked the same steps or performed at Town Hall at the entrance and throughout the building. Impersonators for Sir Henry Parkes, Lady Gaga, and Dame Nellie Melba will bring their songs and speeches to life on stage.

Other cut-out personalities making an appearance include Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Tania Verstak, Australia’s first migrant to be crowned Miss Australia, and a surprise appearance by KISS on the balcony.

Fancy dress

Children can come dressed up, or select from the period costumes available, reminiscent of a Juvenile Fancy Dress Ball once held in Sydney Town Hall.

In August 1886, the Mayoress of Sydney hosted 800 children for a fancy dress ball in the vestibule, with children dressing up in costumes such as Julius Caesar and Napoleon.

Ballroom dancing

Dance instructors will take visitors through the steps of ballroom dancing, reminiscent of the 1886 Juvenile Ball. Drop-in dance lessons will take place throughout the day.

Floral carpet

Centennial Hall will provide a spectacular venue for a huge 6 metre by 5 metre floral carpet.

Using paper flowers, visitors can recreate an artwork from October 1938. The original work was a fundraising project for the Lord Mayor’s Patriotic Fund, which supported the war effort, and the Golden Fleece kindergarten in Chippendale. In just over 12 hours, more than 200 women created the floral work using three million fresh flowers.

Animal Antics

Once a venue for animal shows – from cats and dogs to cows and snakes – Sydney Town Hall has some secret animal tales in store. Visitors can search for clues hidden in the architecture to unveil surprising animal stories.

Lady Mayoress

The Lady Mayoress’s Room will be the setting for a re-enactment of an Edwardian lady mayoress who will share insights of her role and the civic rules for flowers, food and frocks.

Mayor for a minute

City of Sydney Council has met in the chambers of Town Hall since 1884. Doors will be open to the public who can step inside Council Chambers, slip on a mayoral robe and sit on the Mayor’s historic cedar chair. Children can also make and wear their own mayoral hat.

Paper Planes

In tribute to Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia in 1930, visitors can take part in a paper plane throwing competition with a difference.

Participants can make their own paper planes and see how many ‘miles’ they will fly to reach each of the 16 destinations where Amy landed on her way to Darwin, before arriving in Sydney.

For full details on the We Love Sydney Town Hall program go to whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Publicist Elaine Kelly. Phone 0477 362 550 or email ekelly@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Paul Mackay. Phone 0432 182 647 or email pmackay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au