Fremantle's Victorian Hall to be placed on interim heritage register

2/2/98

The State Government has moved to protect the heritage values of one of Fremantle's most cherished turn of the century buildings.

Historic Victoria Hall is one of the only remaining Goldrush buildings in the east end of High Street and has been described as one of the city's 'hidden gems'.

The landmark building will be placed on the Heritage Council of Western Australia's interim register of heritage places.

Heritage Minister Graham Kierath said Victoria Hall was a valuable piece of Fremantle history surviving outside of the west end precinct.

Mr Kierath said Victoria Hall's importance to the Fremantle community was shown by the 1996 campaign to save the hall.

"Most of the period buildings in Fremantle's east end were bulldozed in the 1960s to make way for modern offices and shopfronts," he said.

"Victoria Hall is a rare surviving example of the boom days of the Goldrush era. It is much loved by the Fremantle community and deserves the protection of the State's heritage laws."

Mr Kierath said Victoria Hall was a limestone and brick building constructed in 1896-97 as the parish hill for St John's Church, located 200m away in King's Square.

Originally named St John's Hall, the name is believed to have changed with the celebrations for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

Like St John's Church, it was designed by prominent architect John Talbot Hobbs. It was built in the Victorian Academic Classical with a classically detailed stucco facade and a large interior hall.

Mr Kierath said the hall was used for a wide variety of community purposes in the first half of this century.

From 1914 to 1930, the South Fremantle Football Club leased the hall during the football season.

Up until the mid-30s, a group known as 'The Happy Flour Club' held dances on Friday nights. Other uses included bazaars, boxing contests, balls, church group meetings and, to the consternation of the church, a meeting of the Communist Party in 1940.

By the late 1950s, Victoria Hall was in disrepair and too large for parish requirements. A smaller parish hall was built at the rear of the Old Rectory in Queen Street and dedicated in 1959.

Robert and Sheila Wrightson then purchased Victoria Hall and opened a dance studio which remained in use until the early 1970s.

In 1974 Fremantle City Council approved the demolition of the hall, sparking a public outcry. The National Trust advised it had been classified and the Builders' Labourers' Federation placed a green ban on the building.

Over the years a number of tenants had use of the building for a wide range of purposes.

Mr Kierath said it was now leased by the Victoria Hall Association and was used for various rehearsals, classes, performances and events. He said the hall was in good condition and had a high level of integrity.

"Victoria Hall has played a prominent role in the social life of many Fremantle residents over the years," the Minister said.

"There are very few halls of its type left and it deserves the protection of the State's heritage laws."

Media contact: Donna Cole 9481 7810