Victorian Trades Hall facts for kids
The Victorian Trades Hall is a very important building in Melbourne, Australia. It's the main office for the Victorian Trades Hall Council. You can find it in the suburb of Carlton, right where Lygon and Victoria streets meet. This building is special because it's the oldest trade union building anywhere in the world!
Contents
The History of Trades Hall
How Trades Hall Began
In 1856, a group called the Melbourne Trades Hall Committee was formed. They received land from the leader of Victoria, John O'Shanassy. This land was given so they could build a special place for workers.
The first Trades Hall opened in May 1859. Workers built it themselves to have a place to meet and organize. It was also a spot to help educate workers and their families. The workers even paid for the building's construction.
Building a Landmark
The first building was simple, made of wood with a metal roof. But between 1874 and 1925, it was rebuilt and made much grander. A famous architect named Joseph Reed designed the new parts. He also designed other well-known Melbourne buildings, like the Melbourne Town Hall and the State Library of Victoria.
As more workers joined together in the 1880s, the committee grew into a Council. This showed its bigger role in helping workers. The full name, Victorian Trades Hall Council, was officially adopted in 1968. Today, the building is a protected historic site in Melbourne.
A Place of Firsts
The Trades Hall is very close to the eight-hour day monument. This monument celebrates Victorian workers who, in 1856, won the world's first 8-hour workday. This meant people worked 8 hours, rested 8 hours, and had 8 hours for fun.
Many important groups started at Trades Hall. These include the Victorian Labor Party and the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Four flags fly proudly from the roof of the building. They are the Australian Flag, the Eureka Flag, the Australian Aboriginal flag, and the red flag.
What Happens at Trades Hall Today
A Hub for Workers and Community
Today, Trades Hall is home to many Victorian trade unions. These are groups that help workers get fair pay and good working conditions. It also hosts community groups and some political groups.
The Hall is mainly used by worker organizations. They use it to plan and run campaigns to improve workers' lives. They also offer training, like how to stay safe at work.
Events and Culture
The different rooms at Trades Hall can be rented for meetings or events. It's often used for plays and art shows. There's even a bar where union members and people interested in politics can meet. A bookshop inside sells books about politics and history.
In 1931, the Hall was even used to broadcast radio shows for a station called 3KZ. This station later became Gold 104.3.
In recent years, Trades Hall has become a place for many cultural events. It hosts theatre shows, art exhibitions, and concerts. It's even part of the Melbourne Comedy Festival, especially for funny shows that talk about important topics. The Victorian Trades Hall Council continues to work on research and campaigns, like their 2023 report about workers in Australia.
Further sources
- Melbourne Trades Hall Memories Marcella Pearce (1997) Victorian Trades Hall Council ISBN: 0-9588846-6-8
