News Alert |

Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King will tour Her Majesty’s Ballarat tomorrow, inspecting stage one restorative works of the 144-year-old performing arts landmark.

Stage one emergency restorative works began on the theatre in early 2018. The Her Majesty’s Ballarat works are supported by a $2 million grant under the Victorian Government’s Living Heritage Program. The City of Ballarat has also funded the works, allocating $5.3 million in its 2018-2019 budget.  

The Ballarat and wider performing arts community has rallied to throw its support behind the project, with the Royal South Street Society launching a Change.org petition, which has now reached more than 2,200 signatures.

Earlier this month, steel trusses were lifted via crane into Her Majesty’s Ballarat to strengthen the roof of the landmark, which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Ballarat contractor AW Nicholson Pty Ltd was awarded the $3.3 million contract to begin the first stage of restorative works needed to save Her Majesty’s Ballarat. The major installation works come after restorative works in early 2018 uncovered a crack in a roof truss – requiring immediate remediation.

As part of the first stage of works, the historic raked stage has been reconstructed, allowing works above and below to progress at the same time. Birdcage scaffold on the completed stage has provided access to the roof trusses.

Works are also underway to:

rebuild the new dressing rooms under the stage carry out solid and decorative plaster repairs and painting conservation works in the Auditorium rebuild internal copper guttering and localised roof sheeting replacement above the Long Room progress damp remediation works, with all render removed and the salt removal process almost completed. Deep pointing will then seal out moisture and a new render application will begin carry out service renewal works for fire and emergency lighting.

The first stage of the project are intended to be completed in time for the opening of the 2019 Royal South Street Society’s competition. The theatre will close again for stage two works in early 2020 – to undertake the majority of the restorative works – however the City of Ballarat remains short of its targeted budget to breathe new life into Her Majesty’s Ballarat.

The City of Ballarat last year launched the Save Her Majesty’s Ballarat – The Time Is Now campaign.

The campaign called on the Victorian and Australian Governments to provide the additional $15 million required for the next, second stage of works, to secure the future of Ballarat’s foremost performing arts venue.

The Victorian Government committed $10 million in last year’s election campaign.

The City of Ballarat acted quickly, prioritising the funding for stage one works. We welcome any other funding support that can help us re-open this majestic building – securing it for another 144 years.

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