News Alert |

Photo opportunity: 

Who: City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh and AW Nicholson Director Richard Nicholson 

What: Preparation for Steel installation to support the new raked stage at Her Majesty’s Ballarat 

Where: Meet at the rear of Her Majesty’s on Lewis Street  

When: 9.30am Monday 19 November 2018 

Please note: Due to OHS requirements, media must wear safety vest, hard hat and closed-toe shoes for internal access to Her Majesty’s Ballarat. Safety vests and hard hats will be provided. 

Key Points: 

Stage demolition complete ahead of steel installation  Works to complete refurbishment of the stage planned to be finished before Christmas so that scaffolding can be constructed above to provide access so that works on the roof trusses can commence  Rising damp remediation repairs – foundations of building – are also underway with render removal complete ahead of salt removal then the process of rerendering to follow 

Three structural steel beams and nine steel columns are being installed as part of the reconstruction of the historic raked stage at Her Majesty’s Ballarat. 

The steel installation will strengthen the structure of the stage, ensuring it can operate to modern standards of loading. 

The refurbished stage is designed to cater for 750kg per square meter - increasing the original stage loading capacity by more than three times its previous loading capacity. 

Ballarat contractor AW Nicholson Pty Ltd has begun work to demolish and construct the renowned stage after being awarded the $3.3 million contract to begin the first stage of restorative works needed to save Her Majesty’s Ballarat.  

Demolition of the stage floor is now complete. The stage reconstruction is scheduled to be completed before Christmas, paving the way for construction of the scaffold platform, to provide access to the trusses. 

Works have also begun on the dressing room spaces below the stage. The dressing rooms are being rebuilt and fitted out with services, make-up benches and mirrors. 

After steel is installed into the stage, the original stage joists will be relocated with damaged joists to be replaced. Damp remediation works are also underway.  

Last month, AW Nicholson began emergency conservation and structural repair works for Her Majesty’s – a 143-year-old performing arts landmark, which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.  

The works include reinforcing and remediating the roof structural trusses and the stage, localised roof sheeting replacement, internal guttering, drainage works, damp remediation works, plaster repair works, and fire and lighting service works.  

Stage one is the first step in realising the greater vision for the building – to not only maintain but also to improve the quality, accessibility and functionality of ‘Her Maj’, bringing this 19th century theatre into the 21st century – giving it a new lease on life for generations to come.  

The first stage of the project - the conservation works - are expected to be completed in mid to late 2019.  

The emergency restorative works are jointly funded by a $2 million Living Heritage Grant, provided by the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning via Heritage Victoria, and the City of Ballarat – which allocated $5.3 million in its 2018-2019 budget to help fund the works.  

In July, the City of Ballarat launched the Save Her Majesty’s Ballarat – The Time Is Now campaign. The campaign calls on state and federal governments to provide the additional $15 million required for the next stage of works to secure the future of Ballarat’s foremost performing arts venue, ensuring the theatre is safe and can once again open its doors to performers, patrons, staff and the wider community.  

The campaign has already resulted in the community rallying to save the historic gem. A significant number of people have visited savehermaj.com to register their support and others, including comedian Carl Barron, have left messages on the online Wall of Support.  

The Save Her Majesty’s Ballarat – The Time Is Now campaign will fund a range of major works to improve the quality, accessibility and functionality of the theatre, such as adding accessible toilets and accessible seating, upgrading the existing lifts at front and back of house, a new entrance and foyer works, including box office and refreshment bar, signage and display system. These works will also include improvements to the fly systems, dressing rooms and the Long Room.  

For more information on the campaign, visit savehermaj.com  

Her Majesty’s Ballarat will continue to present shows at alternate venues throughout the closure for restorative works. Details and tickets are available at hermaj.com