Construction of the Melbourne Concert Hall begun in the early 1970s and took more than a decade to open its doors to the public.
The opening day was packed with family activities, and a formal evening concert on 6 November 1982 staring pianist Geoffrey Tozer, Melbourne Chorale Continuing Choir, Band of the Third Military District and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
There were speeches made by Minister for the Arts at the time, Race Matthews and Victorian Premieres, Rupert Hamer (who inspired Hamer Hall’s name change during its renovation in 2010) and John Cain.
Do you have a favourite memory or story from Hamer Hall? Perhaps you were there on the night it opened? Have you performed on its stage or worked backstage? We want to hear your story!
Share your storyNearly a year after the opening night, Hamer Hall hosted the Royal Gala concert on April 14th 1983. The Prince and Princess of Wales were on a royal tour of Australia and attended the gala concert.
Since 1982, the shows and experiences at Hamer Hall have evolved. Hamer Hall sits on land that has long been a place of art and culture for First Nations peoples for millennia. But it has not always been a welcoming place for all. We know there is still work to be done to make Hamer Hall a place of gathering where all Victorians feel they are welcome and belong.
