Located in the oldest part of the Trades Hall, the Old Council Chambers dates from 1873 and was designed with a brief of being a 'Workingmans' Parliament'.

Originally the walls and ceiling were ornately decorated with murals after the style of the Arts & Crafts Movement of the time, the Chambers was repainted in the post WWII period.

Some of the most important debates in Victoria & Australia's social history have been argued in this room. From the earliest discussions of Australian Federation, through to Women's Suffrag and the Anti-Conscription debates of the First World War and the Vietnam Wars, through to advocating for a two day weekend, Annual Leave, OH&S laws and a host of other core union demands which are again under threat.

The Old Council Chamber continues to provide a forum for some of the cutting edge social & political issues of our time.

Also used for small theatrical performances, the Old Council Chamber seats an audience of up to 100 and has inhouse theatrical lighting and sound installed.

With a 5 metre ceiling and double door entry, the Old Council Chamber's atmosphere of decayed grandeur makes it an ideal venue for small and quirky productions as well as readings and soloist musical recitals.

Source Equipment:Denon DN-T620 CD Player · Teac VHS VCR ( Mono ) · Alesis Reverb

Unit Controller: 6ch Yamaha Mixer · w| Effects send/receive · Aux Audio in · Monitor Out

Amplifier: Mackie Amp - 200W / ch @ 8W

Speakers: Eminar Speakers - 200W 3way