Masonic Hall

Bendigo Victoria

The Masonic Hall in Bendigo was erected in 1873-74 and at that time consisted of lodge rooms and public tavern on the ground floor with a large concert hall above. Additions were made to the building in 1889-90 and the hall was converted to a theatre. The architects were Vahland and Getzchmann, the contractor was J. Cooper. The two storey brick structure was a rendered facade composed of a giant Corinthian portico with flanking single bay wings.

Now known as 'The Capital' and Bendigo's performing arts centre, the main building covers a frontage of 60 metres in length on View Street and is approached by broad bluestone steps. The buildings facade includes six pillars in the Corinthian Order rising 10 metres in height with the handsome curvilinear entablature of that Order. The pillars are decorated with an ornate frieze and cornices, having pediments at the top with pedestals, vases and a decorative moulded coping. The building is surmounted with an aeroteria, representing a female face and creating an imposing effect, it being 20 metres from the bottom step to the apogee of the pediment.

Masonic symbols are still in evidence throughout the building. One will note the compasses, the set squares, the all-seeing eye, the celestial globe and terrestrial globe, particularly in the original Lodge Room, the upstairs foyer and the Capital Theatre. The Capital Theatre is the last of the Bendigo theatres. When built this space was the largest hall in Victoria apart from the Melbourne Town Hall. The entire building is listed with the National Trust and Heritage Victoria. The Capital Theatre was closed in the 1970s after almost a century of opera, drama, dance and cinema. The Masons continued in the downstairs Lodge Room until the maintenance of the building became too great a burden on the resources of the members.

The Masonic Lodge has been established in Bendigo since 1854 and has played an important role in the growth and development of the city. The present hall is a fine early work of the architects Vahland and Getzchmann. The grandness of the facade with its illusions to Rome is unsurpassed in a building of this type. The detailing, particularly in the design of the ground and first floor windows, is most significant. The Hall is an out-standing feature of View Street and of this historic city.

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