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FORMER TEMPERANCE HALL
The Emerald Hill Total Abstinence Society built a hall on this site in 1863 to promote
abstinence from alcohol. Regular meetings and lectures were held by local community
groups and the hall was also used for dances, concerts, and theatrical performances. The
current building was built in 1888. The Anthill Theatre Company transformed the hall in
the 1980s which continues to be used as a performance practice space to this day.
Founded in 1854, the Emerald Hill Total Abstinence Society was one of many temperance
groups that emerged in Melbourne during this time to combat what they saw as
immoralities within society caused by the consumption of alcohol. It was not until the
excesses of the gold rush and the land boom of the 1870s and 1880s that the movement
really took holdi. The temperance movement made itself felt in the city of Melbourne and
surrounding suburbs through meetings, rallies, elaborate coffee palaces and alcohol-free
entertainment. Additions to the hall were made from time to time and in 1874 a brick hall
was opened by Francis Longmore MLAii. Groups using the hall included the YMCA, the
South Melbourne Thistle Club, the South Melbourne Harmonic Society, the Emerald Hill
branch of the Labor Party and friendly societies such as the Manchester Unity Independent
Order of Oddfellows. Other groups included a Juvenile Temperance Society for children
called the Band of Hope, the Sons of Temperanceiii and the Princess of Wales Women’s
Lodgeiv. Branches of larger institutions, such as the Independent Order of Rechabites and
the Loyal Orange Institution of Victoria also met there.
The South Melbourne Football Club is said to have formed at a meeting held in the
Temperance Hall in 1874. It was originally named the Cecil Football Club, and the name
was changed to South Melbourne a few weeks later,v when further improvements were
made in 1880, the hall was able to accommodate 400 people.vi From 1881, the hall was also
home to a ladies collegevii. The first year there is any mention of the Temperance Hall in
the Emerald Hill rate books is 1882.viii This is probably because the land was originally a
grant from the Government.ix
For a few years from 1899 one of the more unusual groups that met in the hall, was the
South Suburban Canary Society. They held monthly ‘feather’ shows where members
inspected the birds on display.x
By the mid-1880s the premises were too small and could barely accommodate the twentysix local Friendly Societies as well as all the other groups and activities. In May 1888 new
lodge rooms and a large lecture hall were formally opened with a banquet. “The new part
of the Temperance Hall is a decided addition to the architecture of South Melbourne and
reflects credit on the designers and builders Messrs. Thackwray and Sons.”xi
The hall was given a new lease of life in the 1980s when a newly formed theatre company
Australian Nouveau Theatre, overhauled the building and converted it into the Anthill
Theatre. The Anthill Theatre operated here for the next fourteen years, and today the hall
remains a creative rehearsal space within the heart of South Melbourne, providing a place
for artists to practise and rehearse. While there are no longer sermons given on the
dangers of alcohol, the hall remains a space of alcohol-free activity.
Sources:
Sands and McDougall Directories
South Melbourne rate Books
Public Record Office Victoria, Public Building File 2255, VPRS 7882/P1/Unit 388
The Record and Emerald Hill and Sandridge Advertiser
14 November 1872
5 June 1873
6 November 1873
7 May 1874
i
Shurlee Swain, ‘Temperance’ in the Encyclopedia of Melbourne online
(http://www.emelbourne.net.au/blogs/EM147b.htm)
ii
Charles Daley, ‘History of South Melbourne, Robertson and Mullens, 1940.
iii
‘Former Temperance Hall’ entry in City of Port Phillip Heritage Review database no.1099.
iv
Ephemera file ‘Temperance Hall’ Port Phillip City Collection
v
“History of the South Melbourne Football Club online:
(http://www.redandwhiteonline.com/wiki/index.php/Detailed_history)
vi
Public Building Files,PROV VPRS 7882, P1, Unit 388.
vii
“Former Temperance Hall’ entry in the City of Port Phillip Heritage Review database, no.1099.
viii
Emerald Hill rate books on microfilm 1882.
ix
Susan Priestley, “South Melbourne a history’ page 68. Melbourne University Press, 1995.
x
Advertisement ‘The Record Newspaper’ 29 December 1899.
xi
Editorial ‘The Record Newspaper’ Friday 18 May 1888. “Former Temperance Hall’ entry in City of Port Phillip
Heritage Review database, no. 1099; Susan Priestley, South Melbourne a history (Carlton: Melbourne
University Press, 1995).
Heritage Recognition Program