12. TOWN HALL
50 Learmonth Street

The Town Hall, formerly the Foresters’ Hall was built in 1888–1890 by William Golightly, under the direction of architect Joseph Watts.

The Foresters’ Lodge first met at George Watmough’s Hotel, Hesse Street, in 1865. Five years later they resolved to build a hall which could be a meeting and entertainment place for all of the town, and which would be free of the stigma of hotels.

In December 1870, a classically inspired building was erected in Learmonth Street by the Lodge. As Queenscliff prospered and grew, the hall became too small, and tenders were called for a new hall, which was opened in October 1890. The old hall at the rear was encased by a larger face brick building, but the portico entrance wing was retained. The new hall was fitted out for ‘theatre, concerts, balls and Cinderella assemblies’ and the like. It had a stage, gas fittings, and a specially constructed floor. The Borough Council bought the hall in 1899 but did not complete the purchase until 1907.