The Daylesford Town Hall has been the subject of much needed renovations over the past year to replace roofing and electrical wiring. Council is considering the future of the building as a Council Library and hub. This grand old building still has much to offer to the community.

The original design of the Town Hall was adopted in 1882 to much acclaim, with great credit given to the Borough Council.  The decision and plans were reported in The Daylesford Mercury on Tuesday February 7, 1882.

The Daylesford Borough Council is to be congratulated upon the decision arrived at on Wednesday last when choosing a design for the new town hall.  Owing to the clear manner in which the requirements were set out in the conditions under which competition was invited, the successful architect was enabled to provide the necessary accommodation in a most successful degree.

As regards the general appearance of the building, the first elevation is exceedingly bold and striking..  The building will be about forty-two feet high from the footpath to the top of the parapet, and must form a very prominent feature.

The front is divided into bays by six bold columns carried from the basement to the top of the second storey, these being surmounted by ornamental capitals.  What may be termed the centre bay stands forward nearly six feet, forming a fine entrance porch, and is surmounted by a balcony window, with appropriate pediment at the second storey.

The windows are lofty, and circular-headed.  Besides the main entrance in the centre, there is one at the southern end for the Mechanic’s Institute and Free Library portion of the building, and one at the northern end for the proposed lodge or committee-room.  ……

There followed a detailed outline of each of the ante-rooms, rooms, offices, store-rooms, passages, toilets, etc.

……The successful designer is Mr Geo.R. Johnson of Melbourne who was the architect for the Hotham town hall and public offices, the bold spire of which is a striking feature when approaching Melbourne by railway.  The same gentleman is now engaged in erecting a town hall in Albury, at a cost of £7,000, and also one at Benalla.  It will thus be seen that he has had some experience in municipal requirements.

With reference to the all-important question of cost, the specifications attached to the design state :- “The cost of the building should not exceed £3,000, and I am confident of being able to carry it out for that sum”.

We have been forced into expressions of disapprobation of many acts of our Council, and it is only fair that the practical common-sense way in which the members have, one and all, arrived at a decision in this important matter should receive the credit it deserves.  We gladly do all in our power to accord it.  We trust that now the Borough Council has put its hand to the plough, it will not turn back, but that the erection of the new hall and offices will be pushed on with all possible speed, so that the burgesses may soon have the pleasure of seeing their present municipal barn replaced by a structure worthy of the town.

In all respects, therefore, there exists no justification for anyone hereafter cavilling in the slightest degree in respect to the settlement of what is one of the important questions that our Borough Council has been called upon to decide.

From the Daylesford and District Historical Society.  https://daylesfordmuseum.net/