Summary

Australia Victoria Malvern
Opening Of Shire Hall, Malvern, 1886 (AD)
Mint: Stokes & Martin
Other Details: This medal was issued for the occasion of the opening of the Shire Hall in Malvern in 1886, the culmination of 19 years of planning. A large number of residents and ratepayers of the Shire of Malvern assembled to witness the opening ceremony on Monday afternoon, July 26 1886. The Shire President, Cr. Benson, showed guests through the new building and assembled the crowd in the Council Chamber for a toast to the Queen and the citizens of the Shire of Malvern. In the evening Cr. Benson hosted a civic banquet in the Main Hall. Today the Malvern Town Hall is still an extraordinary intact example of a late Victorian Boom period Italianate building with two towers in the French Second Empire style, reflecting changing architectural styles of the later nineteenth century.

Obverse Description

Image of Shire Hall with Union Jack flying; around above, R.G.BENSON PRESIDENT; in exergue, STOKES & MERTIN / MELB.

Reverse Description

At centre within broad rim, * / MALVERN / JULY 26 1886; around on broad rim, TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE SHIRE HALL *

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

The Malvern Town Hall is an extraordinary intact example of a late Victorian Boom period Italianate building with two towers in the French Second Empire style, reflecting changing architectural styles of the later nineteenth century.

Planning for a Shire Hall in the Gardiner Road District commenced in 1867, 19 years before it opened. In 1878 land at the corner of High Street and Glenferrie Road was finally set aside for the Shire Hall, as well as a Court House and Library. The cost of the project caused delays, and it took until August 1884 for Council to decide to float a loan of £5,000 for the purpose of building the Shire Hall.

A Shire Hall Committee was soon formed. It submitted a proposal which included a hall capable of holding 400 people, Court House, rooms for a Magistrate, Clerk of Petty Sessions, Shire Secretary, a Public Reading Room and a Library. Plans drawn up by Architects Wilson and Beswicke were accepted by Council and the total cost of the new building was £ 8,651.

The foundation stone of the Malvern Shire Hall was laid by the Hon. Alfred Deakin, the Minister of Public Works, on September 22 1885. A casket, containing copies of Melbourne newspapers of the day was deposited in a cavity beneath the foundation stone.

A large number of residents and ratepayers of the Shire of Malvern assembled to witness the opening ceremony on Monday afternoon, July 26 1886. The Shire President, Cr. Benson showed guests through the new building and assembled the crowd in the Council Chamber for a toast to the Queen and the citizens of the Shire of Malvern. In the evening Cr. Benson hosted a civic banquet in the Main Hall.

Later additions to the Shire Hall included a second tower and an extended Glenferrie Road façade, new wings and a front portico. In 1996 the City of Stonnington completed major renovations to the council offices. -City of Stonnington web site http://www.stonnington.vic.gov.au/library/online/history_malvern_town_hall.htm. -D. Tout-Smith 17/10/2003.

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