Hobart City Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hobart City Hall |
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Hobart City Hall
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| General information | |
| Location | Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Coordinates | 42°52′51″S 147°19′55″E / 42.88070°S 147.33182°E |
| Inaugurated | 1915 |
| Owner | Hobart City Council |
Hobart City Hall is a large public building in Hobart, Tasmania. It's a popular place for concerts, shows, and other big events. It's also used as a safe meeting point during emergencies, like bushfires. Even though it's called "City Hall," it's not where the local government meets. That happens at the Hobart Town Hall, which can be a bit confusing!
History of Hobart City Hall
Before the City Hall was built, the area where it stands was used for city markets. The building was designed by Raymond "Rusty" N Butler and his team. It cost about £27,000 to build, which was a very large amount of money back then.
The Hobart City Hall was finished in 1915. It officially opened in July of that year. When it first opened, it was reported to be big enough to hold 5,000 people! In 1940, there were plans to turn the hall into an indoor ice skating rink. However, these plans were put on hold. This was because the army needed to use the hall for storage for six months during World War II.
In 1952, the City Hall hosted the biggest sports event Tasmania had ever seen. This event helped raise money for Australian athletes. The funds helped them go to the Olympic Games in Helsinki.
What is Hobart City Hall Used For?
The City Hall has been a venue for many different kinds of events. These include boxing matches and basketball championships. It has also shown silent movies.
Famous events held here include a special ball for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. Speeches from the Duke of Gloucester also took place here. The hall has even hosted the Miss Tasmania and Miss Australia Grand Finals. Today, it is also a key location for the Festival of Voices, a popular music event.
