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HERITAGE BUILDINGS IN BROKEN HILL
ARCHITECTURAL CENTRE OF CITY'S UNIONISM
It is easy for the average person born in Broken Hill to take the Trades Hall for granted.
The building is an architectural centre of unionism in this city. It was with no surprise the working bees which were held to construct the Trades Hall, the entertainments staged to raise finance and the intense personal effort contributed by various people before the Hall began to look as it does today.
It is natural, we suppose, for one generation to be fairly ignorant of what proceeding generations have done - at least where details are concerned. But here is one case where combined effort has given a city one of its most prominent landmarks, and we are sure that many folks will be interested to see what the "Barrier Weekly Post for September 17, 1898", had to say about the new building. (The Barrier Weekly Post an illustrated publication, was launched in August 1898).
"The present pile of stone and mortar, which promises when completed to adorn the Silver City, but at present looks somewhat unsightly, had its origin in the indefatigable efforts of Mr Richard Sleath (Now MLA for Wilcannia) and a few ardent fellow workers upwards of eight years ago".
When the late Sir Henry Parkes visited the Barrier about that time, Mr Sleath made all arrangements for laying the stone in a much more centrally situated portion of the town; but not withstanding the fact there was and still is much vacant ground available in that vicinity, Sir Henry could not see his way clear to grant the site requested, but made arrangements for the vesting in trustees of the site which is now being utilised, and also laid the foundation stone of the then proposed hall.
"Unfortunately nothing further was done towards the actual work of erection, but provision was made for the accumulation of funds for the purpose, and donations were promised from the various mining companies when the work of erection would be proceeded with.
The strike of 1892 proved disastrous to the advancement of the proposed building, swallowing, as it did, nearly the whole of the available funds of the local trades unions. Nothing daunted, however, those in the forefront again decided to establish a fund for the purpose, and to that object the profits from the annual Eight Hours celebrations have been carefully devoted, with the result that fresh plans were prepared and a decision come to early this year that the erection of the hall should be at once proceeded with.
"On Sunday, June 5 last, Mr Ben Tillet laid the foundation stone in the presence of what is believed to be the largest crowd ever seen in Broken Hill, making a speech on the occasion which called forth much enthusiasm and cheering from the crowd, but, unfortunately, enthusiasm and cheering of themselves did not provide the wherewithal to finance the object in view, and at present the need for funds is greatly felt."
The "Post goes on to appeal for funds from its readers, calling for 'A long pull, a strong pull, and a pull together!"
Well, "great oaks from little acorns grow", even though they sometimes need a lot of fertiliser, and the Trades Hall, eventually reared its proud height over the hills of the Barrier, the clock that was originally planned to feature on its tower never made it; neither did the tower, but the Post Office clock continues to look after the time as well as it can, and the Trades Hall has for many years fulfilled its main function-accommodating the Broken Hill trades union.
On June 5, 1998, 100 years anniversary of the Trades Hall was celebrated.
BARRIER DAILY TRUTH
The first paper was established in Broken Hill in 1886 and this paper began as the Barrier Truth in 1887.
In 1905, a single-storey building was erected and a second storey was added in 1908.
The newspaper was union supported and, in 1908, became the first Labour daily newspaper in the English speaking world.
The demise of the Barrier Miner in 1974 left Only the Barrier Daily Truth
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