The Town Hall in Moonee Ponds is an important landmark in the history of Moonee Valley. It has gone through many phases and for a long time, it has been known as the Essendon Town Hall. Now after many years, it has turn into a complex entertainment centre and it is known as the "Clocktower Centre". 

Location:        750 Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds 3039

Chronicle of the Town Hall:

	1880 - 1884    The Essendon and Flemington Mechanics Institute Find out more
	1886 - 1890    Town Hall officially opened Find out more
	1910 - 1911      Town Hall considered too small Find out more
	1913 - 1914      Hall reopened Find out more
	1930               Clock in placed Find out more
	1941                Alterations take place once again Find out more
	1972 - 1976     Plans to demolish the building leads to "Community Centre" Find out more
	1978 - 1979     Fire causing renovation of the building Find out more
	1997 - 2000    Plans to renovate building and functions Find out more
	2001 - 2003    Now Clocktower Centre Find out more
	DID YOU KNOW??

1880 - 1884

Built as a Mechanics Institute, and opened by the Mayor Cr. J. Parry on September 1880, the building was used as a place of  learning for the working public. Its dimensions were an 80 ft by 38 ft and 24 ft high hall with the capacity to seat 600 people. Two years later Flemington and Kensington wards separated. In 1884, Ascot Vale residents protested about hall being moved from their ward.     To Top  

 

1886 - 1890

Officially opened to the public on  4^th  of February 1886 as the Essendon Town Hall, a banquet was organized. Alfred Deakin was present - a local member of the community who later became Prime Minister (3 times) of Australia. The Town Hall was also used to house the magistrate's court until 1890, when a new courthouse was constructed because of alleged disputes over the accommodation the hall provided.    To Top 

1910 - 1911

After 24 years serving as the Essendon Town Hall, the building was considered to be too small to carry on and support the growing population of the community. Thus, requests were made to enlarge the building. A public meeting was held in which it was suggested that a capacity of 1,200 people was appropriate. The following year (1911),  plans had advanced and the Council also proposed to add a new Town Hall and offices in a £30,000 loan plan. 

"There should be proper retiring rooms, lavatories, cloakrooms and a good stage." - Mr. W. Cattanach in 1910, giving an opinion about what the Town Hall should include. To Top

1913 - 1914

By November 11^th 1913, the foundation stone for the renovated hall was laid. Its dimensions were a floor space of 100ft by 54ft and a cost of £8,056. Reopened to the public on 14^th July 1914 by Mayor Cr. J. F. Henderson, the design of the building however did not receive the approval of everyone.    To Top

1930

The tower had been built and a place was allocated for the clock to be installed. After years in demand, the clock finally became part of the Town Hall on August 12. The clock was donated by Mrs. Learmonth as a gift and to mark her 50 anniversary of living in Essendon. The honour to set the clock running was granted to Mayoress Mrs. Arthur Fenton. It was set in motion at 12 noon by cutting a ribbon, which was holding back the pendulum. The clock was also built and installed by Mr. Heath and son Larry.    To Top

 

1941

On April 2, once again the Town Hall was reopened after certain modifications. These included demolition of certain parts of the hall and rebuilding of the middle section.    To Top

1972 - 1976

Plans to demolish the building and the land being sold were considered. However, after persuading to keep the Town Hall, it was decided that it could be better used as a Community Centre and hence it began to function as such in 1973.  Also on July 5, the council chamber was opened in the Civic Centre. The following year (1974) new municipals were built around it giving it a closer look to what it is today. During 1975, renovations of the building were granted in an effort to turn the building into the "Essendon Community Centre" which was opened in 1976.    To Top

1978 - 1979

On January 16 1978, an unfortunate fire took place in what was the worst incident that has occurred in the Town Hall in all its history. The fire burnt much of the interior but fortunately the fire was quickly brought under control before causing further damage. The aftermath of the accident left most of the offices and the main hall a mess, so with a great spirit it was rebuilt in 1979 and some of the old features were kept.    To Top

1997 - 2000

Another milestone took place after the Essendon Community Group Ltd returned the management of the building to Moonee Valley City Council. Opened on February 27, 2000 by Premier Steve Bracks, it marked a new beginning in the history of the building.    To Top

2001 - 2003

After more than 120 years of history and now known as the Clocktower Centre, this remarkable building has gone through many phases. It has served as a Mechanics Institute, Town Hall and now as Community Centre and entertainment complex providing excellent service - hosting great shows for people of all ages.    To Top

http://www.clocktowercentre.com.au/ (Click here to access the official website)

 

	Correctly and unlike many clocks currently in used, the Clocktower represents the number four (in Roman numerals) as IV and not IIII which is wrong!!
	The tower is the only original structure remaining today!
	In 1954, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited the Town Hall and was welcomed by the Australian people with joy

 

Resources:

1. R. W. Chalmers, The Annals of Essendon - Volume 1 (1850's to 1924)

2. Grant Aldous, The Stop-over that stayed - A history of Essendon copyright 1988 (corrected version)

3. Places of Interest - Hume Moonee Valley Regional Library

4. Frost, Lenore, Federation Times in Essendon and Flemington - A pictorial record

5. Essendon Historical Society Collection

6. Baragwanath, Pam, If the walls could speak - A social history of the Mechanic's Institutes of Victoria 

7. Essendon Gazette - September 22, 1910

Special Thanks to:

	Lenore Frost
	James Buick - Centre Manager (Clocktower Centre)
	Andrew Williams - Staff Supervisor (Clocktower Centre)
	Sam Merrifield Library (Staff)