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BENDIGO TRADES HALL

Location

34-40 VIEW STREET BENDIGO, GREATER BENDIGO CITY

File Number

607804

Level

Registered

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Statement of Significance

The Bendigo Trades Hall was constructed in several stages from 1896, to the design of various architects, including JH Hurley. The building was constructed as a meeting place for local labour organisations affiliated as the Bendigo Trades and Labour Council of Bendigo, on land granted to them in View Street. Labour organisations received strong support in Bendigo from the earliest days of the township, when the poor working conditions of the miners led to the creation of, firstly the Miners' Eight Hours Association in the 1860s and then the Bendigo Miners' Association in the 1870s. With the development of the town and the influx of variously skilled workers, other labour organisations were formed and, in 1885, the Bendigo Trades and Labour Council was established as an umbrella body. The Council were granted the use of an early mining warden's court in View Street, to which additions were made in 1896 enabling the use of the building as a trades hall. In 1913 a large two storeyed section fronting View Street was added to the Bendigo Trades Hall, designed by architect, JH Hurley. In the 1930s and 1940s the early hall is thought to have been demolished and a replacement hall constructed. The concrete and brick two storeyed building features a polychrome brick facade, with classically arranged features and terracotta detailing.

The Bendigo Trades Hall is of historical and architectural importance to the State of Victoria.

The Bendigo Trades Hall is of historical importance as one of the only surviving purpose built trades halls in Victoria, the others being in Melbourne and at Ballarat. The place is a manifestation of the development of the trades union movement in Victoria and reflects the strong support labour organisations received in industrial areas of regional Victoria.

The Trades Hall has architectural significance as a building with a well composed and interesting facade which is an important element of the View Street, Bendigo streetscape.

Group