Randwick Town Hall (Avoca Street, Randwick)

A late victorian and italianate style building, built in 1882, and has been the key civic building in the Local Government Area since.

Randwick Municipality was incorporated on 22nd February, 1859 and was originally housed in the Borough Chambers (now St. Jude's Parish Hall or the Verger's residence) until the construction of the Town Hall.

The Town hall was designed by Blackman and Parkes and built at a cost of £2080. Originally the building had a simpler façade, with the clock tower and side sections as later additions made in 1886 and 1893 respectively.

Timeline

1859

Randwick Borough Council meets for the first time in the Randwick Destitute Children's Asylum, opposite High Cross Park now part of Prince of Wales Hospital. Simeon Henry Pearce elected first Mayor of Randwick. The Pearce family emigrated from Randwick, Gloucestershire England. This is the origin of our name. The Pearce Dynasty became market gardeners and pioneers of this part of Sydney.

1862

Randwick Borough Chambers built. Designed by architect Thomas Rowe who also designed the Great Sydney Synagogue. Randwick Council Chambers, Council meetings held here. Now part of the St Jude's complex.

1881 

Architects Blackmann and Parkes call for building tenders for a new Town Hall at Randwick, fronting Avoca Street. Built by contractor RG Keats.

1882

Randwick Town Hall opens, 3rd February 1882,  Mayor of Randwick,  John See MLA who resided  at 'Urara' in Milford Street Randwick.

1886

Public gardens dedicated behind the Town Hall later taken over by the Tramway network.

1886-1888

Alderman Simeon Pearce submitted a plan to Council to add two wings to the town hall to accommodate the Randwick School of Arts and to provide accommodation for the Randwick Town Clerk and Engineer.

1892

Randwick Volunteer Fire Brigade at the Randwick Town Hall.

Architect John Kirkpatrick submitted extensive renovation plans to Council. It was decided to only proceed with the new staircase to the Council Chambers on level one.

1895

The original Borough Chambers sold to St Jude's Church. Today It is still an iconic part of the St Jude's complex, serving as administrative offices.

1903

Extensive renovations included a "ladies retiring room".

1904

13 June: Banquet in honour of Sir David Storey MLA held at Randwick Town Hall.

1909

Randwick Municipal Council celebrates 50 years of incorporation with the publication of a small history Randwick and a commemorative medallion.

1910

10 June : Famous aviatrix Amy Johnson arrives after a parade through the streets of Sydney, to a reception outside Randwick Town Hall. Improvements  including New Main Hall,  enlargement of the supper room and provision of more office accommodation designed by architect John Kirkpatrick

1911

A public meeting was held on 21 November to consider relocation of the Town Hall. Several meetings later and after the realisation that Council would need to raise a £50000 loan the idea was dropped. Illuminated addresses were presented to prominent local residents and Councillors (aldermen as they were then known) on their retirement from service. This address was presented on the occasion of Mayor Gilderthorp's retirement and includes a photograph of the Randwick Town Hall to help denote his Council service.

1919

Randwick Town Hall becomes an emergency depot during the Influenza pandemic. It served as an official station for the Department of Health and Red Cross services.

1922

26 February:  the Mayor of Randwick unveils a WW1 'trophy' outside the Town Hall. A German Howitzer gun.

1923

October: calls by Mayor Tressider revived the idea of relocating the Town Hall as he suggested the building should be acquired by the Randwick Public School.

1929

Mayor Jennings suggests a new town hall needed to reflect the growth in population and wealth in Randwick municipality since the Town Hall was first built. It was suggested that the building was too small and damp.

1903s

The hardship of the great depression caused Council to reconsider any grand plans for relocation and instead hold an architectural competition for refurbishment.

1937

April:  Invitations called for refurbishment competition.

1938

July: Council was taking steps to acquire 23-25 Cook Street for a new Council Chambers. This too came to nothing.

1939

March: Council committee formed to subdivide the town hall with more accommodation, lavatories, lunch room and record keeping areas.

1940

January: Architects Scott, Green &  Scott along with Alexander Monkoff undertook works believed to include remodelling the town hall and possible relocation of the Council Chambers.

1944

Randwick Municipal Council Chamber as it was remodelled with custom built furniture.

1939-1945

During WW11 civil defence of the municipality was headquartered in a special building adjacent to the town hall. Randwick Council spent £3456 on the National Emergency Services and   £1300 on Air Raid precautions. The Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour in 1942 justified the expenditure on civil defence at the time. During the war residents of Randwick were not immune to food and clothing rationing. Many local residents were tireless fundraisers for the war effort.

1945-6

At the end of WWII service personnel and voluntary workers were commemorated on glass engraved doors at the entrance.

1949

September: A temporary building to house 3000 books next to the town hall was mooted.

1951

29 June: Lionel Bowen unveils the foundation stone for the first free public library in Randwick next to the Randwick Town Hall.

1952

12 July Library opens It was eventually relocated  to the Royal Randwick Shopping Centre in 1990.

1955

Renewed call to relocate the Town hall eventuated in a program of alterations and additions to the Frances Street side of the building. Kenneth B Spain and associates were the chosen architects and the contracted builder Allan Blyth. Foundation stone for these alterations was laid by Mayor Popplewell 14 November 1956.

1957

The upgraded Town hall was officially opened by Mayor Lucas at a Mayoral ball 29 June 1957. Over 500 people attended the function. New facilities included a supper room, cloakroom, lavatories and accommodation for all of Council's staff in one location. The Council Chamber was relocated to the southern side of the ground floor in the original building.

1958

Citizenship Ceremony at Randwick Town Hall. Greek Migrant Matoula Jackas is pictured with the Mayor of Randwick Alderman Bill Lucas (right) and Council officer Harry Shakespeare (NAA).

1959

Randwick Municipal Council celebrates 100 years with a program of events including lavish functions at the Town Hall hosted by the Mayor AC  (Charlie) Molloy. The publication of the first extensive history of the area and a grand parade of floats were some of the many highlights of a year packed with festivities.

1964

A new Town Hall is back on the Council agenda by 1966 an architect was appointment who recommended relocation of Council offices to Maroubra Junction. By 1968 a change in Council prevented any action.

1972

Warren Samut & partners were appointed to design alterations to the existing buildings and a major extension to the west along Frances Street.

1977

Completed additions opened on 22 April refurbishments on the Town Hall itself accommodated the Randwick Branch Library. The modifications incorporated the "Lodge Room". Office areas on the first floor 1950s addition were converted into a new Council Chamber with ancillary space. "The most outstanding new feature of the new council chamber is the new round centred ceiling directly above the council table".

1987

An additional storey  was constructed on to Administration building.

1965-2005

Randwick Credit Union operates in the Malabar Room to the immediate left of the Town Hall main entry.

1990

Randwick Branch Library  removed from the Town Hall to a new location in Royal Randwick Shopping Centre.

1992-2006

Randwick and District Historical Society occupy the ground floor rooms on the north side of the Town hall before moving to the Bowen Library in 2006/7.

2009

Randwick City Council celebrates 150 years of incorporation with a year long program of events and the publication of a new history of Randwick by Pauline Curby.

2015

Heritage Management Plan prepared for Randwick Town Hall.

Randwick Town Hall has always been a social hub for the district throughout its rich and colourful history, many local events have been held in this venue.