Photo by Pam Baragwanath (copyright).

Name: Alberton Public Hall       

Address: South Gippsland Highway, Alberton.

Local Government area: Wellington.  

Institute established: 1886     

Date of Present Building:          1932

Building succession number: 1887,1932.   

Social History: The site for a Mechanics’ Institute was made permanent on 25/11/1989. The hall was designed by E. Scanlon and built by John Justice for 350 pounds. A piano was purchased from Allans and books were borrowed from the Melbourne Public Library. A fire on stage in 1891 caused little damage, but on Guy Fawkes Night in 1930, the hall burnt down. Only the bricks were left standing and these were the basis for the new hall opened by Mr. Hyland in 1932. In 1943, the walls began to bulge and crack so the bricks were taken out by sections and replaced by weatherboards.

Survey 1997, information from Principal, Alberton Primary School.     

Heritage Aspects: 

1. Local historical and social importance.

Note: for further information see:

Mechanics' Institutes Resource Centre (MIRC)  List of holdings 

and  Prahran Mechanics' Institute Library catalogue www.pmi.net.au