Paddington Town Hall

Item details


Name of item:	Paddington Town Hall
Other name/s:	Town Hall
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Community Facilities
Category:	Hall Town Hall
Location:	Lat: -33.8852642588 Long: 151.2258103420
Primary address:	249 Oxford Street, Paddington, NSW 2021
Parish:	Alexandria
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Sydney
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	La Perouse

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	10		DP	867184

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
249 Oxford Street	Paddington	Sydney	Alexandria	Cumberland	Primary Address
247 Oxford Street	Paddington	Sydney			Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
	Private	30 Mar 99
City of Sydney Council	Local Government

Statement of significance:


	Paddington Town Hall has State historical and aesthetic significance as a landmark example of the Victorian Free Classical architectural style. Its construction marked the beginning of the 1890s depression and it is historically significant as one of the last public buildings built in this style. It demonstrates the dramatic suburban growth and wealth of the Municipality of Paddington from the mid-19th century, second only to Sydney Town Hall in size and splendour. The interiors are a rare NSW example of public interior design work by architect Walter Burley Griffin. During the 1970s and 1980s, when the LGBTQIA+ community was fighting for law reform and against the HIV/ AIDS crisis, Paddington Town Hall played a historically significant role hosting fundraising dances, public forums and conferences. It hosted the fourth National Homosexual Conference of 1978, which passed a motion to commemorate the first Mardi Gras and the mass arrests made with an annual march that became the internationally-recognised LGBTQIA+ event, the Sydney Mardi Gras. Paddington Town Hall has State social significance, hosting many events and celebrations attracting attendees from across NSW. This included balls, Greek community gatherings, fundraisers such as a folk concert helping fund 'The Freedom Ride', the first Aboriginal Debutante Ball in 1966, gay liberation dances and live music events.
	Date significance updated: 23 May 25
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	John Edward Kemp (original hall); City Architect (1923);Walter Burley Griffin (1933 hall renovation)
Builder/Maker:	Arthur Whitely (1933 main hall renovation)
Construction years:	1890-1891
Physical description:	Paddington Town Hall is a grand, late Victorian suburban town hall building sited on a hilltop at a prominent intersection, with tall clock tower, two hall spaces, one adapted for current use as a cinema. Downstairs is a branch library. External Description: Paddington Town Hall is located on a ridge on the northwest corner of Oxford Street and Oatley Road. The building is founded on natural sandstone bedrock and takes up the full site area, of approximately 1958 sq.m. (Knox, 1988: 9; JPA&D 2024: 53). The Town Hall is two storeys, built of brick and finished with render. The overall architectural style is Victorian Free Classical (Apperly, Irving & Reynolds 1989: 56-59). The principle decorative elements are "an open colonnade to Oxford Street and rows of Roman-arched first-floor windows flanked by Corinthian pilasters and a balustered parapet" (National Estate Register). Oxford Street, where the main entrance was once located, is the more ornate of the two facades reflecting its more prominent position. Another entrance with portico faces Oatley Road. Both lead into the same internal vestibule. The Oatley Road portico entrance has an arched opening similar to the Oxford Street colonnade. It has a balustraded parapet matching in detail the first floor balustrading to the windows which enclose balcony 1 on the first floor level (JPA&D 2024: 57). Immediately south of the original section of the Oatley Road facade is an arched rusticated entry with an open loggia at the first floor level. This is a subsequent addition that matches the original building closely. The southernmost section of the Oatley Road facade matches the original section at the upper level. The large ground floor opening was infilled in the Modernist style of the early 1950s for the Frank Green library. The southern and western facades, whilst dating from the 1923 extension, are still significant in illustrating the development of the building and its expansion for other uses. The west facade rests on a section of sandstone wall which also forms the boundary wall to Victoria Barracks (JPA&D 2024: 58). The roof of the original building is a combination of slate and corrugated metal sheeting and a cupola sits at the roof ridge directly in line with the pediment on the Oxford Street facade. The cupola is evidence of the original ventilation of the main hall. The building curves around the corner into Oatley Road with a balcony on the first floor whose roof is supported by two Corinthian columns. Both original facades are highly modelled, stuccoed masonry. The clock tower is located on the corner of Oxford Street and Oatley Road. While the east, south, and west faces of the clock display conventional Roman clock-face numerals, the Roman numerals on the northern (Oxford Street) side have been replaced to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII, and the northern clock-face reads: E.V.A.R.D.U.S. T.H.E. VII (Knox, 1988, 9). The clock tower is accessed via a timber staircase that becomes increasingly steep as it rises. The lower level contains several rooms, previously a caretaker's apartment and now vacant offices. These appear to be original fabric but introduction of air conditioning to some has resulted in ceilings being lowered. The upper levels of the clock tower contain significant fabric including access stair, window openings and joinery, clock mechanism and faces (wikipedia entry, accessed 20/5/2024; JPA&D 2024: 64). As with the facades, the main decorative form is Corinthian pilasters, pairs of which support the clock. Doric columns and a pediment frame the clock. The tower is finished with a dome supported by an octagonal drum, from which flagpoles protrude. Internal Description: The main vestibule is entered from both Oxford Street and Oatley Road through double timber doors with etched glass fanlights (framing and fanlights are original: the doors are not) and the internal decoration continues to use ornamented archways. The ceiling is of pressed metal (possibly by Wunderlich), while the floor of ceramic (vitrified tessellated) tiles appears to be the original finish. Lobby 2 has been more recently finished in a square vitrified tile, possibly in the 1990s. Lobby 1 and 2 and the vestibule contain several marble and metal plaques. Doors from Lobby 1 give access to office G06, male and female toilets. A stair from the vestibule connects to the foyer of Stapleton Hall on the first floor. It rises between an original archway and possibly retains the original skirting. The handrails and finishes are recent (JPA&D 2024: 58-59, 62). The archway originally leading from vestibule into the body of the ground floor corridor has been filled in as a cloakroom, sealing off the library at this point. The first floor of the original Town Hall is accessed via stairs. The stair leads to a foyer which connects the bar, Stapleton Hall and the lobby to the Clock Tower and Upper Loggia. Whilst the walls are largely original fabric, openings to the bar have been enlarged and are not original. The bar appears to contain some original fabric, including parts of the ceiling and possibly the cornice. Window joinery is also largely original. The floor finish is recent parquet which has swollen at the doors to balcony 1, preventing access to it. There may be further original fabric below the parquet. Openings that lead from the bar into the small associated space next to balcony 2 are not original (JPA&D 2024: 58-59, 62). The upper loggia was originally open to the street as it is today. At some time between 1926 and 1949, its openings to the street were infilled. These additions were removed and the loggia openings reinstated in 1991 works by Gazzard Sheldon. The tiled floor finish dates from this time (JPA&D 2024: 64). Hall No. 1 / Main / Stapleton Hall: The Main (Stapleton) Hall is located on the first floor, accessed from the foyer. The hall is an open-plan space with a 9m high ceiling, polished timber floor. It retains elements of its Victorian interior, most notably the Corinthian engaged columns (SCC, website; JPA&D 2024: 66). The Hall was significantly altered in 1933-34 and re-decorated in an Art Deco style. The original coffered ceiling was retained, although its scalloped edges were replaced with open plaster tracery with further tracery cut into the walls. Much of the original plasterwork was removed and replaced with open grille work matching those cut in the wall. In front of the wall tracery are groups of three projecting cylindrical plaster columns, capped with floral capitals, containing lighting. The tracery and these columns are part of the Walter Burley Griffin designed works (JPA&D 2024, 66). Extending north of the hall is a narrow hall-like space that was originally an open loggia to Oxford Street defined by Corinthian piers. An orchestra balcony is set into the south wall and was added in 1933-34 as part of the Griffin works. Between the original building and the 1923 extensions on the ground floor is an area that was originally an open yard. This has since been enclosed and is now the entry foyer to the cinema and film company offices. There appears to be little original fabric in this space (JPA&D 2024: 66). Hall No. 2 / Cinema: Hall No. 2 has been converted into a cinema, destroying much of the interior space. The ante-chamber to the hall was removed to create the cinema foyer. It is notable for its patterned, gently vaulted ceiling and classical pilasters. The wall and ceiling surfaces are generally in poor to fair condition and there has been severe damage to the cornice which is concealed behind temporary boarding. It is possible that the dancefloor remains below the cinema's ranked seating. The windows to the east wall, behind the stage screen and to the south wall have been infilled. The projection room is on the upper mezzanine level between Cinemas 1 and 2. There does not appear to be any significant original fabric in this space apart from the wall it shares with the cinema on the east (JPA&D 2024: 66-7). Library: The library entry via the lower colonnade from Oxford Street) remains reasonably intact, with similar details to the principal entrance. Conversion into a library significantly altered the layout with the insertion of unsympathetic arches to allow access. The central crossing of the entry with the corridor is partially intact with an arched central element similar in detail to the main vestibule. The rest of the library has been completely changed with the 1977 insertion of a series of punched and arched openings into internal walls, which do not match detailing of the original architecture. Window architraves to the Oxford Street colonnade appear original but otherwise there is very little original fabric remaining in this space, although the layout of the original corridor and cross-walk can still be discerned. There may be further original fabric below the floor finish or above the ceiling (Gazzard Sheldon 1991:7-8; JPA&D 2024: 60) Radio offices: 2 SER (RES) Community Radio offices are also on the ground floor, facing Oxford Street to the west of the library. Whilst the masonry structure of these spaces is original fabric, the fitout conceals any original fabric in the interior that may remain.
	Date condition updated:26 Feb 25
Modifications and dates:	Modification Dates: 1904 Clock Tower added. 1908 interior redecorated. 1910 Paddington Muncipal Council jubilee plaque erected inside the hall. 1911 Council acquired additional land to south, to extend the building (from former Victoria Barracks military land). a Portico was added over the footpath on Oatley Road. c.1919 an Honour Roll was made and hung to commemorate Paddington residents killed in World War 1, 1914-18. 1923 building was finally expanded along Oatley Road to design of the City Architect, including a hall with an additional supper room at the first floor level between the new hall and the original building. A flat roof for use as a lounge was built. There was a wide ground-level (only) opening from Oatley Road. Official opening was on 13/12/1923. 1923-25 alterations and renovations to original building including to the office block and painting, throughout, alteration of ground floor space, removal of the Council chambers to a less noisy position. General office moved to the original Council chambers and improved. Small hall and Lodge Rooms and Library positions also changed. 1926 - 49: original pediment removed but reinstated in 1993. 1927 Western extension - western-most bay added, designed in sympathy with the original facade. 1928 Hall redecorated 1933 Major renovations to Main Hall with introduction of the Art Deco style (some interior detailing such as ventilator panels and protruding plaster 'column' elements designed by Walter Burley Griffin) to make it more suitable for dances and competitive with other town halls in the area. 1945 Plaque erected commemorating victory and the return of world peace in 1945 after World War 2. 1949 Paddington Council established a branch library (the Frank Green Library) at the rear of the town hall. That same year saw Paddington Council (established here in 1891; elsewhere in 1860) incorporated into the City of Sydney. A 1988 Bicentenary plaque notes the 1890 - 1949 Paddington Council occupancy), donated by the Lions Club of Paddington. 1950 Town hall contained hall no. 1, hall no. 2, a small hall and a refreshment kiosk. A vehicular passageway from Oatley Road to the rear still existed. The public toilets in front of Victoria Barracks wall were built. 1951 hall re-painted and Branch library established. A courtyard still existed within the building. 1976 Paddington Branch Library moved from Oatley Road entrance to the area below the main hall with an Oxford Street entrance. 1977 Major renovations ('Paddington Town Hall Centre') to construct cinema, video and radio facilities involving major alterations to hall no. 2. The Chauvel cinema opens, with one screen in the former ballroom of the 1923 extensio. 1990-95 plaque unveiled 10/6/1995 marking the reopening of the refurbished town hall. These included a second cinema space and screen (designed by Gazzard Sheldon Architects) with an acoustic barrier between the musicians' balcony of Stapleton Hall. Also reopening of the open upper loggia and pediment onto Oxford Street. 1993: reinstatement of pediment (removed 1926 - 49). 2012 - '13 Main facade restoration works undertaken.


Current use:	Venue Hire, events, library, cinema complex, offices
Former use:	Aboriginal land, town lot, Town Hall

History

Historical notes:

STATEMENT OF COUNTRY
Within the City of Sydney local government area, the Traditional Custodians are the Gadigal and this area has Wangal associations. It is likely that the gentle gradient slope upon which Oxford Street was later constructed was a suitable travel route frequently used by Aboriginal people travelling towards Sydney Cove.

Following initial colonisation and the devastating 1789 smallpox outbreak, local Aboriginal populations regrouped, living in camps close by, east of Potts Point at Barcom Glen (not far from Paddington Town Hall) and downstream on public land at Rushcutters Bay, throughout the 19th century.

The impacts of colonialism on Aboriginal people in the Sydney area were devastating. However, Gadigal, Wangal and other Aboriginal people still have a strong association with Sydney and, historically, with Paddington Town Hall.

A well-known Wangal family, the Karangarang moved to Paddington early in the 19th century and remained there over that century,

PADDINGTON COUNCIL
Paddington Council held its first meeting on Friday 25 May 1860. The first three meetings were in the Paddington Inn before it resolved to rent Mr. Logan's house next door. Meetings continued there until the first Town Hall was built in 1866, on the current site of the Royal Women's Hospital in Oxford Street. By 1867 Paddington had sufficient population to be elevated to a Borough. It continued to prosper.

PADDINGTON TOWN HALL
By 1890, Paddington's remarkable growth had led it to become Sydney's second wealthiest suburb after Balmain. Its aldermen decided that year to build a 'splendid Council Chamber, in keeping with the requirements and worthy of so important and progressive a Borough'. The present site was purchased (Wotherspoon and Ashton 2019; Knox 1988).

The design was subject of an international architectural competition with 30 submissions. Although a criterion was that it could be constructed for 9000 pounds, no submission was likely to meet this. Local architect John Edward Kemp won, with an Italian Renaissance style building. Tenders confirmed it could not be built for 9000 pounds and estimates instead stood at 13,500 pounds. A loan was obtained from an overseas institution. This was the first time in Australian history a municipality had taken such steps (Knox 1988). This hall was Kemp's grandest and most high-profile project after the end of his partnership with Gustavus Morell (JPA&D 2024: 22).

The foundation stone was laid on 8 November 1890 by Sir Henry Parkes and the hall was opened on 3 October 1891 by the Governor, the Earl of Jersey. Only 29 invitations were sent out, but thousands of locals, dignitaries and visitors attended.

Paddington Town Hall varied slightly from most in that it was intended from the start to generate income from hiring supper and ball rooms for balls, dances, concerts and public ceremonies. It was second only to Sydney Town Hall in importance and capacity, seating 1000. It included specifically designed lodge rooms for the Paddington Ionic Masonic Lodge, which Council leased to them until 1918, when a rent rise caused the Lodge to vacate (JPA&D 2024: 20-21).

The first major alteration occurred in 1904-05, when the clock tower was built in commemoration of the coronation of King Edward VII.

The original Town Hall contained a library. In 1910 Paddington Council noted it was considered the best free public library outside of Sydney and well patronised, compared to others. In 1949 Council resolved that a branch library should be established at the rear of the Town Hall, with an entrance off Oatley Road. It was named the Frank Green Library recognising the then Deputy Lord Mayor's contribution to the district. It was officially relocated in 1953 (JPA&D 2024, 41).

During the Great Depression, the Town Hall was a focal point of anti-eviction rallies and political agitation. At a huge public meeting here in 1931, nearly 100,000 converged to hear Jack Lang (NSW Premier), Eddie Ward (MP for East Sydney) and others speak against the federal government's economic policies. The crowd blocked Oxford Street for a mile in each direction, During the depression the unemployed queued here for relief coupons to claim meat, vegetables and bread (Wotherspoon and Ashton 2019; Johnson 1988).

The 1933 - 34 internal renovations designed by architect Walter Burley Griffin made the hall more suitable for dances. The additions by Griffin still exist and are a rare example of his public interior spaces. This demonstrates Council's desire to have a well-known architect undertake the work and the use of unemployed men to build it demonstrates Council's efforts to provide unemployment relief during the Depression (JPA&D Australia 2024: 82, 52)

Over time, changes in the way in which the Town Hall was used and appreciated by the community largely mirrored ongoing changes in broader society.

The transgressive Artists Balls were held at Paddington Town Hall from the 1920s until 1964. A sketch by Mandi McRae of one such ball in 'The Home' September 1925, shows a transgender person, two men with arms akimbo, and several gender-indeterminate figures. The press responded with a range of derogatory headlines (McNair 2023).

In the decades following World War Two, Aboriginal people migrated into Sydney from country areas in large numbers. In the mid-1960s a growing Aboriginal civil rights movement sought to highlight the deplorable conditions in which many still lived. One of the first Aboriginal students at the University of Sydney, Charles Perkins (1936-2000), helped form the group 'Student Action for Aborigines' in 1964. Its most famous action was its 'Freedom Ride' bus tour of regional NSW in 1965, which brought racism and segregation in country towns to public attention. In preparing for the ride, it held fundraising events, including a folk concert at Paddington Town Hall the month before. It featured Aboriginal folk singer Jenny Bush, originally from Darwin and working as a nurse at Marrickville Hospital alongside her twin sister (Irish 2019).

The Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs was the most influential Aboriginal community organisation at the time, offering employment, housing and education services. It ran events like dances, as social occasions and fundraising for other activities, through its 'Dancing Group'. At Paddington Town Hall in July 1966 the Foundation hosted the first National Aborigines Day Observance Committee's Aboriginal Debutante Ball in Sydney to foster pride among young women and families. At this time, it was a well-used social venue managed by the City of Sydney, which included Councillors supportive of the foundation's activities. The ball was a fundraiser involving presentation of seven young Aboriginal women to the NSW chief secretary. Interviewed on the night by the ABC, Charles Perkins told the reporter that just prior to it, the Foundation had been fighting a Sydney Council ban on the use of halls for Aboriginal dances in Redfern and Darlington (Cole 2010: 207).

The ball was a great success and was run again at a much larger scale (on the National Observance Committee's (NADOC) yearly celebrations day) in July 1968 at Sydney Town Hall, in the presence of then Prime Minister John Gorton (Cole 2000: 206).

In 1967 the original Paddington municipality was split between City of Sydney and Woollahra Councils. In 1969 politician (and later, Prime Minister) the Hon. Robert (Bob) Hawke was elected as Australian Council of Trade Unions president at Paddington Town Hall (JPA&D 2024: 47).

During the 1970s there was a growing interest in heritage conservation and subsequently local residents met at the Town Hall with the NSW Builders Labourers Federation to make alliances over Green Bans on proposed expressways (JPA&D 2024: 39).

In the 1970s a type of radical drag theatre developed in Sydney, performed by Doris Fish, Simon Reptile, and Danny Abood (known as 'Miss Abood' and 'Miss Lebanon 1952'). Many of these events were held at Paddington Town Hall and attended by the vice squad. These were anarchic, deliberately offensive events in which performers might hurl dead fish, chickens, household cleaners or toilet paper at the audience. Their shows were about making fun of straight society and gay society. People would strip. A great deal of partial nudity, later an essential and politicised component of the dance party circuit, was always present. The escapist camp of 1980s queer culture was also very much a knowing response to the emergence of AIDS (McNeil 2023: 92).

At the Town Hall in 1977 cult punk rock band Radio Birdman and supporting act The Saints, 'tore the house down'. Experimental subculture returned here in the 1980s and early 1990s with Recreational Arts Team (RAT) dance parties. These events transformed the party scene and Sydney's night life with a mix of illumination, performance art and DJ sets, paving the way for large dance parties and techno raves of the 1990s. Attended by celebrities and designers, they captivated the media and once again put Paddington at the vanguard (Veale and McNeil 2019: 179).

In addition to bands were concerts to bring awareness or raise money for various causes. Us Mob, an Aboriginal rock band active in the 1970s and 1980s performed at the Rock Against Racism concert here in 1980. Of all the venues along Oxford Street in the 1970s, Paddington Town Hall had some of the key events with thousands of patrons experiencing live music. Some of Australia's and New Zealand's most popular bands played here in this period, including Radio Birdman, the Skyhooks, the Saints, the Angels, Midnight Oil, Jeff St. John, Mi-Sex, the Bushwackers, the Allniters, Sunnyboys, Dunamic Hypnotics, The Cockroaches and Machinations (JPA&D 2024, 44).

In 1977-78 the entire Town Hall building was adapted to house a series of community functions ranging from a cinema to a video resource centre - and called the 'Paddington Town Hall Centre'. Works included construction of the cinema, video and radio facilities and major alterations to hall no. 2 (JPA&D Australia 2024: 47, 83).

LGBTQIA+ ACTIVISM
From 25 to 27 August 1978, the fourth National Homosexual Conference was held at Paddington Town Hall. Following conferences in Melbourne (1975), Sydney (1976) and Adelaide (1978) this conference had the theme 'Homosexuals at Work' and addressed discrimination in the workplace, strategies for union members, commercial exploitation, and law reform. The conference included an art exhibition in the Town Hall, film festival in the attached cinema and gala dance in the Hall's ballroom.

Coming just four weeks after the first Sydney Mardi Gras march, at which 53 men and women had been arrested, the conference supported a motion to commemorate the arrests with a march on the same day each year. At the end of the conference, 400 delegates left to protest against an anti-abortion rally in the city, only to find police barricading Taylor Square. In the ensuing melee police arrested another 74 people in Oxford Street and a further 30 who made it to the protest. These arrests reinforced the view of the conference to push for law reform and greater recognition of LGBTQIA+ issues at the time (Dunn 2023: 1-2).

Mardi Gras expanded in 1980, introducing parade marshals and a revised route, finishing at Paddington Town Hall for the post-parade Party. In 1982, the success of the Mardi Gras Party led to establishment of the renowned Sleaze Ball fundraiser. Held at Paddington Town Hall, it was inspired by infamous Sleaze Balls in New York and Berlin. It was a runaway success - over 500 partygoers were turned away when tickets ran out. Sleaze Ball became a major annual event.

On 15 August 1983, 450 people attended a public forum on the developing HIV / AIDS crisis at Paddington Town Hall. It was organised by the Sydney gay community as the first stage of mobilising to learn about and fight back against the HIV / AIDS crisis that was developing and discrimination associated with it. The first HIV cases in Australia appeared amongst the Sydney community in late 1982 and early 1983. Media outlets in Sydney began to report and run hysterical, homophobic articles on the disease, taken up by some church groups and even medical journals. An increasing level of fear amongst the gay community was being fuelled by misinformation and discrimination (Dunn 2023: 2).

The Paddington forum was the first in New South Wales seriously addressing the growing crisis, with doctors talking directly to the gay community. Speakers included Prof. David Pennington, head of the National Health and Medical Council Committee on AIDS from Melbourne, Prof. Ron Penny from St. Vincent's Hospital who treated the first known case in Australia, Dr Trevor King, acting Chief Medical Officer for the NSW Health Department and Lex Watson, member of the Sydney AIDS Activist Committee, other doctors and community members.

The forum represented a watershed moment in the campaign against HIV / AIDS in Australia. It addressed the risks of unprotected sexual contact and from this developed safe sex campaigns and information sessions for the gay community (Dunn 2023: 2).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Aboriginal cultures and interactions with other cultures-Activities associated with maintaining, developing, experiencing and remembering Aboriginal cultural identities and practices, past and present.	Aboriginal Culture-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Raising LGBTIQA+ issues through conferences and events-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Aboriginal debutante balls and dances-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Cultural Social and religious life-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th Century Infrastructure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Creating landmark structures and places in suburban settings-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Maintaining libraries and museums for educational purposes-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Town Hall-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Local and municipal self-governance-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Designing structures to emphasise their important roles-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Architectural styles and periods - Victorian Free Classical-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Community organisations-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Places of formal community gatherings-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Places of informal community gatherings-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Paddington Town Hall has State historical significance as one of the last public buildings constructed before the onset of the 1890s depression. The Town Hall marks the end of a historical phase of growth, prosperity, and optimism in NSW. It has State significance as evidence of the historical importance of Paddington, being the second largest town hall after Sydney Town Hall. Paddington Town Hall has State historical significance as a site of LGBTQIA+ activism during the 1970s when homosexual activity between men was still illegal in NSW. The fourth National Homosexual Conference held here in August 1978 passed a motion to commemorate the first Mardi Gras held in Sydney the previous month. This motion marked the beginning of the annual Mardi Gras in Sydney. It hosted the third Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras post-parade party in 1980. In 1982 it hosted the inaugural Sleaze Ball fundraiser inspired by such balls in New York and Berlin - a runaway success which became a major annual event. In August 1983 it was the site of the first public forum to address the developing HIV/ AIDS crisis. Organised by the Sydney gay and lesbian community with leading doctors and specialists, this initiated the start of a public information campaign to combat the disease. Paddington Town Hall has State historical significance as the site of the first Aboriginal debutante ball in Sydney in April 1966. Organised by the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs, the ball was attended by over 200 Aboriginal and 100 non-Aboriginal guests, with seven young women making their debut. It also has State significance as one of the sites chosen for a fundraising concert in 1965 to support the Student Action for Aborigines Freedom Ride bus tour of regional New South Wales.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	Paddington Town Hall has State aesthetic significance as one of the last Victorian Free Classical public buildings and as such it exemplifies this architectural style. The Town Hall is aesthetically significant as it is situated in a prominent location and visible from the city and surrounding suburbs.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	Paddington Town Hall is of State social significance to the LGBTQIA+ community as the venue for community dances, conferences and forums run by and for this community, at a time when male homosexuality was still considered illegal and discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community was still strong. The town hall became a focus point for many of the events that led to the first Sydney Mardi Gras and later as the public space where the first information campaigns beginning to address the HIV/ AIDS crisis were held. Paddington Town Hall has social significance as the site of the first Aboriginal debutante ball held in 1966 and as one of the venues for fundraising towards the 'Freedom Ride' bus tour of regional NSW in 1965.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	Paddington Town Hall contains very rare surviving public interior design elements by Walter Burley Griffin (architect, designer and planner of State and national significance). Griffin designed the interior renovations in the 1930s, making the hall more suitable for dances.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act	General Maintenance, continous care Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): The maintenance of any building or item on the site, where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing material.	May 6 1988
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act - Site Specific Exemptions	Exemption Order for Paddington Town Hall listing on the State Heritage Register (SHR 00561) under the Heritage Act 1977 I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of NSW dated 3 June 2025, make the following order under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977 (the Act) granting an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out of any activities described in Schedule C by the owner, manager, mortgagee or lessee (or persons authorised by the owner or manager) of the item described in Schedule A on the land identified in Schedule B. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 25th day of September 2025. The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULE A The item known as Paddington Town Hall SHR 00561, situated on the land described in Schedule B. SCHEDULE B All those pieces or parcels of land known as Lot 10 DP867184 in the Parish of Alexandria, County of Cumberland, shown on the plan catalogued Heritage Council Plan 1515 in the office of the Heritage Council of NSW. SCHEDULE C The following specified activities/ works to an item do not require approval under section 57(1) of the Act. GENERAL CONDITIONS These general conditions apply to the use of all the site specific exemptions: a) If a conservation management plan (CMP) is prepared for the item, it must meet the following conditions: i. It must be prepared by a suitably qualified and experienced heritage professional ii. It must be prepared in accordance with the requirements for a detailed and best practice CMP as outlined in the Heritage Council of NSW document Statement of best practice for conservation management plans (2021) or any subsequent document prepared to replace or supplement this document iii. It must be consistent with the Heritage Council of NSW documents: Guidance on developing a conservation management plan (2021) and Conservation Management Plan checklist (2021) or any subsequent document prepared to replace or supplement this document b) Anything done under the site specific exemptions must be carried out by people with knowledge, skills and experience appropriate to the work (some site specific exemptions require suitably qualified and experienced professional advice/ work) c) The site specific exemptions do not permit the removal of relics or Aboriginal objects If relics are discovered, work must cease in the affected area and the Heritage Council of NSW must be notified in writing in accordance with section 146 of the Heritage Act 1977. Depending on the nature of the discovery, assessment and an excavation permit may be required prior to the recommencement of work in the affected area. If any Aboriginal objects are discovered, excavation or disturbance is to cease, and Heritage NSW must be notified in accordance with section 89A of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. Aboriginal object has the same meaning as in the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 d) Activities/ works that do not fit within the exemptions described in this document or the 'standard exemptions' for items listed on the State Heritage Register made under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977, and published in the NSW Government Gazette, would require approval under the Heritage Act 1977. It is an offence to do any of the things listed in section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977 without a valid exemption or approval e) The site specific exemptions are self-assessed. It is the responsibility of a proponent to ensure that the proposed activities/works fall within the site specific exemptions f) The proponent is responsible for ensuring that any activities/ works undertaken by them, or with their landowners' consent, meet all the required conditions and have all necessary approvals g) Proponents must keep records of any activities/ works for auditing and compliance purposes by the Heritage Council of NSW. Where advice of a suitably qualified and experienced professional has been sought, a record of that advice must be kept in a current readable electronic file or hard copy for a reasonable time h) The site specific exemptions under the Heritage Act 1977 are not authorisations, approvals, or exemptions for the activities/ works under any other legislation, Local Government and State Government requirements (including, but not limited to, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974), or construction codes such as the National Construction Code i) The site specific exemptions under the Heritage Act 1977 do not constitute satisfaction of the relevant provisions of the National Construction Code for ancillary works. Activities or work undertaken pursuant to a site specific exemption must not, if it relates to an existing building, cause the building to contravene the National Construction Code j) In these exemptions, words have the same meaning as in the Heritage Act 1977 or the relevant guidelines, unless otherwise indicated. Where there is an inconsistency between relevant guidelines and these exemptions, these exemptions prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. Where there is an inconsistency between either relevant guidelines or these exemptions and the Heritage Act 1977, the Act will prevail k) Where relevant The Heritage Manual (1996, Heritage Office and Department of Urban Affairs and Planning) and The Maintenance Series (1996 republished 2004, NSW Heritage Office and Department of Urban Affairs & Planning) guidelines must be complied with then undertaking any activities/works on an item. EXEMPTION 1: EXISTING CONSENTS Specified activities/ works: a) All works and activities which are subject to a current development consent in force at the date of gazettal of these exemptions. EXEMPTION 2: SITE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS Specified activities/ works: a) Minor activities/ works by City of Sydney Council, tenants, lessees, or their contractors allowing for the temporary management of events including: i. decorations, furnishings, audio visual equipment and associated temporary services ii. installation of temporary structures, fencing, facilities, crowd control barriers, stages, lighting, sound, rigging and public address equipment iii. installation and upkeep of waste management facilities and waste disposal including bins, recycling stations and related servicing iv. signage and wayfinding installation, upkeep and alteration including updating non-illuminated signs, maps, wayfinding markers and temporary safety notices where important to visitor navigation and safety, and removal of signage v. maintenance, repair and upgrade of services and public utilities including communications, gas, electricity, lighting, water supply, waste disposal, sewerage, irrigation, and drainage. b) Installation of reversible non-illuminated internal and external signage for wayfinding and directions to areas within the building, for promotion of activities, or promotion of City of Sydney activities within the building. Relevant standards: a) Activities or works must be either consistent with the heritage significance of the item as assessed and recommended by a suitably qualified heritage professional, or accord with a conservation management plan for the item that complies with the general conditions for these exemptions b) Works and structures under this exemption are to be erected and removed (along with necessary remediation) within a maximum period of six (6) months per installation c) Works, structures and fixtures under this exemption must not require physical intervention, such as brackets, adhesives and hooks, into significant fabric d) Activities under this exemption must have no irreversible impact on significant fabric, including landscape or archaeological features e) Works, structures and fixtures must not obstruct significant views or features of the item and its setting f) Works, structures and fixtures must re-use existing fixing points where possible g) Works, structures and fixtures must not remove or conceal significant existing signage. EXEMPTION 3: REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF EXTERIORS Specified activities/ works: a) Repair and maintenance of external fabric of the building including timber joinery, plasterwork, balustraded parapet, metalwork, sandstone, vents, floor tiling and thresholds, roofing, cupola and the clock b) Maintenance, repair, like-for-like replacement to existing external surfaces limited to hardstand and floors and walls of the loading dock and external paving (including thresholds or tiles) c) Maintenance, repair and like-for-like replacement of walls, fencing, doors and gates, and security measures at Oxford Street and Oatley Road and pedestrian entrances. d) Replacement of non-significant, non-original glazing, including the installation of double-glazing. Relevant standards: a) Activities or works must be either consistent with the heritage significance of the item as assessed and recommended by a suitably qualified heritage professional, or accord with a conservation management plan for the item that complies with the general conditions for these exemptions b) Activities and works must not require excavation deeper than the foundations of the existing paving c) It will have as little impact on significant fabric as possible, including archaeological features d) Works must not obstruct significant views or features e) Like-for-like replacement of significant fabric can only occur when the original fabric cannot be suitably repaired. EXEMPTION 4: SERVICES Specified activities/ works: a) Installation, upgrade, relocation, removal and replacement of building services and amenities that support the ongoing functions of the building (including lighting, electrical, plumbing, WC amenities, audio-visual, air-conditioning, fire safety and protection, security services, telecommunications and equipment). Relevant standards: a) Activities or works must be either consistent with the heritage significance of the item as assessed and recommended by a suitably qualified heritage professional, or accord with a conservation management plan for the item that complies with the general conditions for these exemptions b) Works/ structures must be installed by non-destructive means, whether temporary or permanent c) Works must avoid damage, destruction or compromise to any of the building's interior spaces, elements and fabric of significance d) Works/ fixtures must be located within existing conduits and cabling routes or be concealed within areas already containing services e) Works must reuse existing service runs where possible to minimise intervention into significant fabric f) Where it is not possible to use existing service runs, any new service runs must be located within or on non-significant fabric, of neutral, intrusive or little heritage significance as defined by the conservation management plan that accords with the general conditions g) Works must achieve compliance with building regulations and applicable standards h) Works must be located within the existing building envelope and on the roof top within the envelope of the existing plant, including roof exhaust fans and associated support duct work. EXEMPTION 5: SOLAR PANELS Specified activities/ works: a) Installation of solar panels and other sustainability measures on the Secondary Hall roof (1923), Cinema 1 and film studio roof (1975 - 1977), Cinema 2 and film studio roof (1993), and Cinema foyer roof (1975-1977). Relevant standards: a) Activities or works must be either consistent with the heritage significance of the item as assessed and recommended by a suitably qualified heritage professional, or accord with a conservation management plan for the item that complies with the general conditions for these exemptions b) These elements must not be visible from the public domain. EXEMPTION 6: ROOF WORKS Specified activities/ works: a) Maintenance, repair or sympathetic upgrading of all rainwater goods, roof fittings and roof safety access equipment. Relevant standards: a) Activities or works must be either consistent with the heritage significance of the item as assessed and recommended by a suitably qualified heritage professional, or accord with a conservation management plan for the item that complies with the general conditions for these exemptions b) All works must avoid damage, compromise or destruction to original or significant fabric. EXEMPTION 7: MODIFICATIONS FOR DISABILITY ACCESS Specified activities/ works: a) Modifications and alterations to provide disability access in accordance with the Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010 or as required to comply with any other applicable accessibility legislation within all spaces. Relevant standards: a) Activities or works must be either consistent with the heritage significance of the item as assessed and recommended by a suitably qualified heritage professional, or accord with a conservation management plan for the item that complies with the general conditions for these exemptions b) Works must not impact significant fabric or original spatial configurations c) Where it is possible any new fabric must be located within or on non-significant fabric. EXEMPTION 8: INTERNAL WORKS Specified activities/ works: a) Upgrades, maintenance and reconfiguration of bathroom amenity spaces, hospitality fit-outs, kitchen spaces and associated back of house. Relevant standards: a) Activities or works must be either consistent with the heritage significance of the item as assessed and recommended by a suitably qualified heritage professional, or accord with a conservation management plan for the item that complies with the general conditions for these exemptions b) Works must not impact significant fabric or original spatial configurations c) Where it is possible any new fabric must be located within or on non-significant fabric.	Oct 3 2025
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register	Paddington Town Hall	00561	03 Oct 25	406
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		00561	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former		00561	06 May 88	82	2549
Register of the National Estate			21 Oct 80

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Tourism		2007	Paddington Town Hall	View detail
Written	Akerston, Matt (author, editor)	2021	Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 1978 - 2021 Timeline (sub-webpage)	View detail
Written	Apperly, Irving & Reynolds	1989	A Pictorial Guide to Identifying Australian Architectural Styles and Terms from 1788 to the Present
Tourism	Attraction Homepage	2007	Paddington Town Hall	View detail
Written	Clement, Jessica	2014	'Staging a comeback to renew Oxford Street' (Paddington)
Written	Cole, Anna	2000	The Glorified Flower - race, gender and assimilation in Australia, 1937 - 1977	View detail
Written	Council of the City of Sydney (based on Anita Heiss's history)	2011	Barani Barrabugu - Yesterday Tomorrow - Sydney's Aboriginal Journey	View detail
Written	Council of the City of Sydney, History Program	2011	Parade - Oxford Street - Historical Walking Tour (brochure)	View detail
Written	Dunn, Mark	2023	LGBTIQA+ Heritage Assessments
Written	French, Robert		Coming out in a Homophobic World
Written	Gazzard Sheldon Architects	1991	Paddington Town Hall: A Conservation Plan	View detail
Written	Heiss, Anita		Aboriginal People and Place, Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City	View detail
Written	Irish, Paul	2019	"Post-War Years"
Written	Johnson, R. G.	1988	'Paddington Town Hall' (entry)
Written	JPA & D Australia P/L	2024	Paddington Town Hall - Conservation Management Plan 2024
Written	Knox, Gail, in Paddington Walk (booklet)	1988	'4. Paddington Town Hall' (entry)
Written	Morrison, Bill	2023	'Mapping Paddington'
Written	Pollon, Frances (ed.) and Healy, Gerald	1998	Paddington (entry)
Written	Spearitt, Peter	2019	"Survival"
Written	unattributed	1983	'Campaign #93' (Campaign: Australia's gay national newspaper for the gay society)
Written	Veale, Sharon and McNeil, Peter	2019	"Gentrification" (Chapter 6)
Written	Wotherspoon, Garry	2012	'Paddington' (entry)	View detail
Written	Wotherspoon, Gary and Ashton, Paul	2019	'Ever-Changing Paddington' (Chapter 3)
Written	Young, Greg (ed.) et al	2018	Paddington - a History	View detail

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5045153
File number:	S90/01616, HC 872813, 10/02162

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