Tour City Hall and Celebrate its 80th Birthday
26 March, 2010
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman is inviting residents to take part in free guided tours of City Hall to inspect the restoration work and celebrate its 80th birthday next month.
The Lord Mayor said City Hall was a landmark symbol of the city and encouraged local residents to join in the celebrations at King George Square from 7am to 2pm on Thursday, 8 April 2010.
“City Hall is described as ‘the People’s Place’ and for the past 80 years has been the backdrop to many of Brisbane’s cultural, social, and civic events,” Cr Newman said.
“The day offers people an exclusive opportunity to see for themselves the restoration work now underway inside the building.
“The free guided tours will take people through areas where progress has been made on City Hall’s restoration.
“People will be able to see the main auditorium where the 4,474 pipes of the Grand Organ were removed and 23 metre high scaffolding has been erected to enable works on the dome ceiling.”
The birthday celebrations include a free breakfast sausage sizzle, live music, tai-chi, dance demonstrations, art exhibits, a classic cars display, and the cutting of the birthday cake. To participate in the tours, people must wear flat, enclosed shoes.
City Hall closed its doors on December 31 last year to make way for a $215 million upgrade and repair project that will take place over three years.
Brisbane’s most iconic heritage building was officially opened on 8 April, 1930. The first foundation stone was laid in 1917 by then Governor, Sir Hamilton Gould-Adams.
City Hall took more than 10 years to build and at the time was the largest construction project in Australia next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Over the years, City Hall has partied with the Rolling Stones, laid out the red carpet for Princess Diana, offered refuge to war heroes and featured in Hollywood films, as well as taking a starring role as part of Brisbane’s rich and diverse history.
To find out more about the restoration of City Hall or 80th birthday celebrations, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/cityhall or phone Council on 3403 8888.
EVENT DETAILS:
What: City Hall’s 80th birthday celebration
Date: Thursday, 8 April 2010
Time: 7am to 2pm. Official opening of celebrations @ 10am.
Where: City Hall and King George Square
Who: Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley AO
