PORTER: ALBERT HALL IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Today Member for Ginninderra Mary Porter has relaunched the recently refurbished Albert Hall during the ‘What’s it Worth Day’ organised by the Rotary Club of Canberra and the National Trust.

“Most of us who have lived in Canberra for any length of time have great memories of events we have attended at Albert Hall, and in the early days of the city it really was our town hall, hosting all manner of public and private events,” Ms Porter said.

“For over 80 years Albert Hall has been the focal point of much our Canberra’s history and was even where the hearings for the Petrov Royal Commission took place in 1954. The Royal Commission sat for ten months and enquired into the circumstances of the defection of Soviet diplomat Vladimir Petrov and his wife Evdokia.

“In 1949 Albert Hall also witnessed the first ever Citizenship Ceremony and the new Australians were welcomed to their adopted country by Prime Minister Ben Chifley and Australia’s first Minister for Immigration, Arthur Calwell.

“Among the most famous artists to perform was Dame Joan Sutherland and Albert Hall has also hosted countless concerts, eisteddfods, plays and musicals and for many years was home to the Canberra Repertory Society.

“The late Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth have also attended reception at Albert Hall.

“The refurbishment has been a major project and the Friends of Albert Hall have played a significant role in working with the ACT Government to restore Albert Hall to its original glory.

“The restoration work has included the retiling of the roof, repainting the interior and exterior, upgrading of the heating ventilation, air conditioning toilets and kitchen, and repolishing the floor, one of Canberra’s finest dancing surfaces.

“Visitors will notice the unique porous concrete finish on the building’s exterior which is regarded as best practice heritage management and provides an excellent example of the finishes that were used at the time Albert Hall was built.

“Some work is still to be completed including the internal ceiling light fittings and curtains as well as the development and installation of interpretive signage.

“Now that Albert Hall is back open for business, I invite all Canberrans to visit and to perhaps think about having a function here. Booking details are available by logging onto www.laps.act.gov.au.”
Statement Ends
Media Contact: Andrew Hunter 02 6205 0428 bh 0431 739 775
Andrew.hunter@parliament.act.gov.au