Oversize heritage gem resurfaces after 20 years

THERE was much excitement and a win for heritage after Save Civic Hall successfully bid for a large 1950s Ballarat Council coat of arms that was removed from the foyer of the Civic Hall in the 1990s.

Barbara Cytowicz, a member of Save Civic Hall, noticed the painting listed in an auction advertisement and alerted other members of the group. Many frantic calls and emails were made to Ballarat’s Mayor and CEO to ensure that the painting would be reinstalled if the painting were purchased.

The signed painting by Angus Henderson, a well-known Ballarat artist/ signwriter and teacher, measures 2,500mm high by 1900mm wide. It features a miner and farmer either side of a shield of crossed oars, and the original spelling of Ballarat (based on the indigenous name for the area – ball arat).

It was originally mounted between the two internal entrance doors in the foyer of the Civic Hall, and presumably dates from the time of the opening of the Civic Hall, 20 August 1956.

At the time of a major council function around 1995, it was ordered to be thrown away by a senior officer.

Luckily Brian Howden, who was Duty Manager at Her Majesty’s at the time, did not do as he was told. Instead he stored it in his garage for twenty years until it resurfaced at Kittelty Auctions.

Merle Hathaway, who bid on behalf of the group, said it was an anxious time, not knowing if someone else would bid, taking the price up too high.

Save Civic Hall has raised funds for years in case money was needed to save the Civic Hall from demolition.

Although it now seems likely that the Lower Hall will be lost in the Gov Hub development, the main hall is now being restored by the City of Ballarat and may even be open for a ‘sneak preview’ soon.

Save Civic Hall sees this purchase as a perfect use for the funds raised by the community. The painting will be reinstalled in the Civic Hall foyer during the current refurbishments.

The coat of arms cost around $1700 to purchase.