Sydney Trades Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sydney Trades Hall |
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Sydney Trades Hall
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| Location | 4-10 Goulburn Street, Sydney central business district, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1888–1916 |
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| Architectural style(s) | Victorian Free Classical |
| Owner | Unions NSW |
| Official name: Sydney Trades Hall; Trades Hall Building | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 322 |
| Type | Trade Union Office |
| Category | Community Facilities |
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The Sydney Trades Hall is a special building in Sydney, Australia. It's a place where groups of workers, called trade unions, have met for a very long time. It is located on Goulburn Street in the city centre.
The building was designed by John Smedley. Later parts were added by Spain, Cosh and Minnett. It was built between 1888 and 1916. It is also known as the Trades Hall Building. The building was first owned by the Trades Hall Association, which was a group of early trade unions. Today, it is owned by Unions NSW. This important building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Contents
History of the Sydney Trades Hall
The idea for the Trades Hall started on 14 December 1882. Representatives from thirteen different worker groups met at a hotel in George Street. This meeting was very important for the start of the union movement in Australia. It led to the creation of the organisation that built the Sydney Trades Hall.
Getting the Land
The land for the Trades Hall was given on 13 October 1885. It was given to a group of trustees. These trustees included important people like Henry Copeland and Jacob Garrard, who were members of the New South Wales Parliament. Other trustees were skilled workers like a stonemason, a plumber, an iron moulder, a boilermaker, a draper, and a tailor.
The land was given with a special rule. It had to be used as a "Trades Hall and Literary Institute." This meant it was a place for workers in Sydney to meet, learn, and share ideas.
Importance to Workers
The Sydney Trades Hall is closely connected to the history of the union movement in New South Wales. This was one of the first organised union movements in the world. The building also played a role in the start of the Labor Party in NSW. Union leaders from the Trades Hall sent their own representatives to Parliament. This happened after a big strike by sailors and shearers failed early in the 20th century.
Building and Opening
The first part of the building was designed in 1887 by John Smedley. He was one of Australia's first architects born in the country. Smedley won a competition to design the building. It was meant for workers to hold meetings, attend lectures, and learn. It also had a library and a special room for union banners.
On 28 January 1888, Lord Carrington, who was the State Governor, laid the first stone. It took several years to build because there wasn't enough money. Finally, the building officially opened on 26 January 1895. The Minister for Education, Mr Jacob Gerrard, opened it. He said, "The Trades of the colony will now have a home of their own." All the workers who built it were union members and were paid fair wages.
Later Additions and Events
More parts were added to the building in 1900, 1912, and 1916. These new parts matched the original style of the building. The architects for these additions were Spain, Cosh and Minnett.
In 1932, the New South Wales Premier, Jack Lang, did something very unusual. He had the State's money moved from banks to the Trades Hall. He did this so the Federal Government could not take it. Because of this, he was later removed from his job by Governor Philip Game.
What the Building Looks Like
The Sydney Trades Hall is a large building made of brick and sandstone. It has four main floors and a basement. At the corner of Goulburn and Dixon Streets, there is a five-storey tower. It has a pointed copper roof with a smaller copper dome on top.
The building was made bigger several times around 1900, 1912, and 1916. However, the new parts were designed to look like the original building. It has sandstone on the ground floor and brickwork on the upper floors. It also has decorative details like window trims, horizontal bands (string courses), and a decorative top edge (cornice). The original building makes up four sections facing Goulburn Street. The seven sections facing Dixon Street were added later.
Building Condition
The building is in good physical condition. Not many changes have been made to the outside of the building over the years.
Changes Over Time
- 1888: The first stone was laid.
- 1895: The building officially opened.
- Around 1900: An addition was built.
- 1912: Another addition was built.
- 1916: The final major addition was completed.
Why the Trades Hall is Important
The Sydney Trades Hall is very important because it has been a main meeting place for the New South Wales Trade Union Movement for a long time. It reminds us of a key part of Australia's history. Australia's union experience later influenced other countries. The start of the Labour Party can be linked to leaders from the Trades Hall.
The building's design was created by John Smedley, one of Australia's first architects born here. Its impressive look and tower help keep the old character of the Haymarket area. It also stands out as an important landmark.
Workers thought very highly of the Trades Hall. Mr Jacob Gerrard showed this in his speech on the opening day. As the union movement grew quickly, the building was made much larger to fit everyone's needs. The Trades Hall became a central place for unions to have offices and meeting rooms. Because of this, it is strongly connected to the history of the union movement in NSW. Many workers in the state still value it highly.
The original records of meetings and other historical events of the Trade Union Movement are kept in the building's library and banner room. This helps us understand the history of New South Wales.
The Sydney Trades Hall is special because of its role. It has provided a central place for the Trade Union Movement to operate. This makes it a rare and important part of New South Wales' cultural history.
