Victorian Trades Hall facts for kids
The Victorian Trades Hall is a very important building in Melbourne, Australia. It is the main office for the Victorian Trades Hall Council, a group that helps workers. You can find it in the suburb of Carlton, where Lygon Street and Victoria Street meet, just north of Melbourne's city center. This building is special because it's the oldest trade union building in the whole world!
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What is the Trades Hall?
The Victorian Trades Hall is a place where different groups that support workers, called trade unions, have their offices. It's also a center for community groups and political parties that focus on helping people.
A Place for Workers
The main purpose of the Trades Hall is to help Victorian worker groups plan and organize their activities. They use the building to arrange campaigns and teach workers about important things like staying safe at work.
Events and Activities
The Hall has many rooms that can be rented for meetings, conferences, or even plays and art shows. It has a bar where union members and people interested in politics can meet. There's also a bookshop that sells books about political ideas. In the past, a radio station called 3KZ even broadcast from the Hall!
In recent years, the Trades Hall has also become a place for many cultural events. You can find theatre shows, art displays, and concerts there. It's even part of the Melbourne Comedy Festival, especially for shows that are a bit daring or about politics. The Victorian Trades Hall Council also does research and campaigns to help workers.
The History of Trades Hall
The story of the Trades Hall began a long time ago, in 1856. A group called the Melbourne Trades Hall Committee was formed. They were given some land by the leader of Victoria at the time, John O'Shanassy, to build a special place for workers.
Building a Home for Workers
The first Trades Hall opened in May 1859. It was built by workers themselves, who paid for it with their own money. They wanted a place where they could organize, meet, and learn. The first building was made of wood with a metal roof. Over the years, it grew and changed.
Growing Bigger and Better
Between 1874 and 1925, the Hall was rebuilt and improved by a famous architect named Joseph Reed. He also designed other well-known Melbourne buildings like the Melbourne Town Hall and the State Library of Victoria. As more and more workers joined together in the 1880s, the committee became a Council to show its bigger role. The full name, "Victorian Trades Hall Council," was officially used in 1968.
A Landmark of History
Today, the Trades Hall is still one of the most important historical places in Melbourne. It's recognized by the National Trust and is on the list of historic buildings in Victoria. This means it's protected because of its special history.
Important Milestones
The Trades Hall is linked to many important moments in Australian history.
The Eight-Hour Day
Right across the street from the Trades Hall, there's a monument that celebrates the eight-hour day. This monument honors the Victorian workers who, in 1856, were the first in the world to win an 8-hour working day! This was a huge step for workers' rights.
Birthplace of Important Groups
The Trades Hall is also where some very important organizations started. These include the Victorian Labor Party, which is a major political party, and the Australian Council of Trade Unions, which is the biggest group representing workers in Australia.
Flags of Significance
If you look up at the roof of the Trades Hall, you'll see four flags flying. These flags are:
- The Australian Flag
- The Eureka Flag, a symbol of rebellion and workers' rights
- The Australian Aboriginal flag, representing Australia's Indigenous people
- The red flag, a symbol often used by labor movements
Further sources
- Melbourne Trades Hall Memories Marcella Pearce (1997) Victorian Trades Hall Council ISBN: 0-9588846-6-8
