Protecting A Much-Loved Victorian Icon

Heritage lifeline looms for Festival Hall. Photo: Herald Sun

The heartbeat of Melbourne’s arts, music and sporting culture was nominated for the Victorian Heritage Register in January, after a planning application was lodged with the City of Melbourne for a development on the site.

Festival Hall has sat at the heart of Melbourne’s live music scene for more than 60 years, playing host to blockbuster acts such as The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Built just in time for the 1956 Olympic Games, Festival Hall has etched its name in Victoria’s sporting folklore as the scene of some of Australian boxing’s most memorable bouts – with Lester Ellis, Lionel Rose and Anthony Mundine all weaving their magic under the Festival Hall lights.

Heritage Victoria’s recommendation is based on a number of factors, including:

• Festival Hall’s historical and social significance at a state level
• Its place in Victoria’s sporting and cultural history books
• A long, socially-significant relationship with Victoria’s live music community

If the Heritage Council of Victoria decides to include Festival Hall on the Victorian Heritage Register, any proposed development would need a heritage permit before it could proceed.

The community can make submissions at heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au.