Baroona Labor Hall

Originally designed by architect-of-the-moment Richard Gailey for a branch of the benevolent establishment Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows, in its early days this grand decorative building was the venue for distribution of unemployment, sickness and funeral benefits for needy families by the founding group of members.

After the economic downturn of the 1890s it became home to a clothing manufacturer, its hall crammed with long-skirted female machinists until it was sold in 1928. In 1949, with the shop leased to a tailor, it became the Baroona Labor Hall and during the 1970s was crammed with short-skirted female anarchists when it hosted many concerts including local Gods of punk The Saints and iconic bands such as The Go-Betweens.