History of the Frankston Cultural Centre 1880-1995

Founding the Frankston Mechanics’ Institute

The Frankston Mechanics’ Institute and Free Library was founded at a public meeting in August 1873; three trustees were appointed, a governing committee established, and a Crown grant of land was made by the State Government in 1880.  The building was officially opened on Monday 24 May 1880 as a building for “recreation and instruction” [1] and was designed to cater for the cultural, educational and entertainment needs of the community. It was the only public hall and free library in Frankston and was built to serve both the existing community of approximately 150 people and the anticipated population growth when the railway linking Frankston to Melbourne was completed. The building (which measured 50ft. by 25 ft.) cost £280 and was largely funded by the community through a ‘course of penny readings’ and other entertainment as well as individual donations.

A growing population

In the period leading up to 1880 many Melbourne based local governments, including Collingwood, Richmond and Fitzroy, constructed elaborate Town Halls.  Frankston did not build a significant civic centre until 1966 which was in large part due to the predominantly rural population of the Shire until the post-1945 period.  According to historian Michael Jones, rural communities are practical and want money spent on roads and physical infrastructure, not monumental town halls[2].

The population of Frankston increased dramatically from the mid 1950’s, with the number of people living in the local government area growing from 18,104 at the time of the 1954 census (Frankston and Hastings Shire) to 42,085 at the time of the 1966 census (City of Frankston), 81,700 at the time of the 1981 census (City of Frankston) and 84,986 at the time of the 1991 census (City of Frankston), the last census before the 1994 changes to local government boundaries introduced by the Jeff Kennett government. Throughout this period of rapid development, roads, sewerage, drainage, and health services were the primary consideration of the Shire. From the mid 1950’s outer areas of the Shire were being developed and council was being called upon to extend nearly all of its services, amenities and facilities. 

Early years 1880 - 1922

From its early years, the Mechanics’ Institute hosted a wide variety of performances and community events including visiting theatrical troupes, musical programmes, farces, balls, and social celebrations, It was the venue for lectures and talks, political meetings, the regular meeting place for many local organisations, and the rehearsal venue for the Frankston Town Band.  There were regular ‘Smoke Nights’ for the men; dancing and deportment classes for the ladies.  In 1905 the length of the main hall was extended by 25ft 6in. to 75 ft. 6in. (59 ft. 6in.occupied by the auditorium and 13ft. by the stage) and a library and reading room, an office for the clerk of courts and a scullery were added.    

The first silent movie to be screened in Frankston, “The Bank Note” by Pathe Freres, was shown at the Mechanics’ Hall on 2 February 1910.  It wasn’t until mid-1920 that weekly silent moving pictures were screened at the Mechanics’ Hall, under the auspices of the Frankston Band Pictures.  With the formation of the Frankston Picture Co. in January 1921 the pictures continued to gain popularity and the programme was extended from once a week (Saturday night) to twice a week (Saturday & Wednesday nights) in August 1921. Don Charlwood, in his memoir, recounts going to the ‘flicks’ in 1922 at the age of six:

“I am six years old. ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle is on at the Mechanics’ Hall so we join the throng walking up what, in the future, will become Bay Street South.  It turns out to be a perplexing evening for me as I can’t read fast enough to keep up with the silent film captions.  After 81 years all I can remember is “Fatty” climbing out of the ladies’ bedrooms and seeing startling exposures of female flesh. [3]”

A new theatre

By 1922 the population of Frankston had grown to approximately 1,400 people with 4,646 people living in the Frankston and Hastings Shire (1921 Census) and it was considered that Frankston was in need of a new picture theatre. Mr. Essex A. D. Bond (of the Frankston firm of auctioneer's, Bond & Baxter) created a new enterprise the "Frankston Cinema and Palais de Dance Co. Pty. Ltd." to oversee the venture. The proposed building was described in the Frankston and Somerville Standard on 15 September 1922:

“The new building promises to be a beautiful example of modern architecture, and on the spacious site in Playne Street, opposite the State Savings Bank, will show up to the best advantage. The land on which it will stand has a frontage of 100 ft. and was purchased at a cost of £1500. The structure is to be of brick, the front to be coloured white with black facings. The main hall will be 78ft. 6in. deep by 50ft. across. It will be provided with a spacious balcony furnished with lounge chairs, a la Continental. The seating accommodation in the main hall will consist of moveable chairs, so that the floor may be made readily available for dancing. An imposing entrance is provided from Playne Street with two lock up shops on either side. Three of these shops will be 20ft. by 15ft. and one 16ft. x 15ft. The entire building is estimated to cost £8000.”

Although the floor wasn’t finished, the new theatre was opened for dancing during the Easter holidays in 1923, and dancing events were scheduled every Saturday night. The floor was expected to be one of the best in Victoria and the intent of the management was that no expense be spared to make this theatre the most popular outside the metropolitan area. In addition to showing the latest city releases, the comfort of their patrons was one of the management’s chief considerations.

Once the theatre was officially opened it continued to hold dances to the music of the Alietti Band every Friday night from 8pm to 12pm. Pictures were shown every Wednesday and Saturday nights and Frankston obtained the first release after the city of special features from the "Fox Films Company".

On May 17 1930 the first all-talking programme was screened at the Palais Pictures by special arrangement with Hoyts’ new initiative, the “Touring Talkie Show” truck.  The truck would transport sound equipment to regional areas which was temporarily installed in the local cinema with a set up time of approximately four hours and pack up time of approximately six hours.

The Palais Pictures had limited their picture screening program to Saturday nights only and the business was sold to the Plaza Theatre Company of Mornington in September 1930 at the price of £8000.  The new owners painted the outside of the building and installed “talkie equipment” before the official grand opening on 11 October 1930.  “Happy Days” was screened at the opening and advertised as an “all-star musical romance” with 100 entertainers and “100% talking, singing and dancing”.  The screening was followed in the first week of opening with the picture "Atlantic," a story of the famous Titanic disaster and described as the “Leviathan of all talkies”.

Once again, the owners were keen to bring the theatre in line with the best city and suburban theatres. In addition to the new talking plant, new projection was installed, the seating was improved and repairs were made to the building. Talking pictures were scheduled with the leading film exchanges including Paramount, Fox, Metro-Goldwyn, State Theatre attractions, British productions, Columbia attractions, and Mickie the Mouse productions. The theatre was also available for all public entertainment including benefit picture shows for charities. 

Frankston’s first local theatre group

The first amateur theatre group in Frankston “The Passers By”, led and directed by Doris Moody, held their opening performance at the Plaza Theatre on 29 June 1931. The play, which was attended by more than 300 people, was “Ambrose Applejohn's Adventure” and included a musical programme performed by Miss Rose Siegenberg's orchestra.  The group performed two more plays at the Plaza Theatre and a final one act play at the Mechanics’ Hall before disbanding in 1934. 

There was no organised theatre group in Frankston from 1934-1942. During the war years the Plaza Theatre hosted regular community singing on Sunday nights to raise money for the Red Cross and other charities. The popularity of these events led to the Red Cross organising an amateur talent quest in April 1942 which was very successful. A small committee then formed to organise the Red Cross Review to be performed on 1 October 1942 with Rupert Scott as producer.  The program included local artists and a performance by the “RAAF Locker Fund ballet”.  Rupert then enlisted a group of friends to rehearse “Ten Minute Alibi” which was performed at the Plaza in April 1943. This marked the inception of the Frankston Players, a small group of actors who performed for close to three years at the Plaza Theatre.  They established a committed audience and raised £2000 for the Red Cross.

In September 1945 the committee of the Frankston Players put forward a proposal to form a civic dramatic and entertainment group in Frankston as they were unable to meet the demands of the community for theatre entertainment.  The proposal was the formation of a public body with a wider scope to develop every branch of theatrical entertainment including the development of a music group and a ballet group.  Members of the community who were interested in the field of entertainment or raising funds for local charities were invited to subscribe.  The proposal was passed at a meeting in Mechanics’ Hall on 9^th December 1945 and the Frankston Theatre Group was formed with Rupert Scott as President. 

The home for the Theatre Group was the Mechanics’ Hall, and although the Plaza Theatre was no longer used as a performance location for local theatre it continued to show pictures until October 1959 when it was sold to Ball & Welch Limited to develop as “the most modern independent department store in Victoria[4]”.  The demise of many picture theatres in Melbourne in the late 1950’s was attributed to the advent of television and the popularity of Drive-In cinemas. Frankston Drive-In opened on Skye Road in 1956 and was built and operated by former Melbourne Lord Mayor Sir Frank Selleck, closing in 1989.  Frankston was without a cinema until 1975 when the Village Plaza was opened on the Nepean Highway.

Theatre at the Mechanics’ Hall

Soon after its formation, the Frankston Theatre Group funded the renovation of the interior of the Mechanics’ Hall. The stage was widened and extended to twice its original depth; a new draw curtain, lighting (to the standard of the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne) and a combustion heater were installed; a new proscenium was constructed; and new padded tip up seats were purchased.

The Frankston Theatre Group was recognised as a cultural body soon after its second birthday and extended its syllabus to contain at least one activity per month including play seasons, “bob-in” productions, lectures, readings, concerts and ballet. Their first ballet performance “A Night of Ballet” was held in conjunction with the National Theatre Movement of Australia in mid-1947.

By 1953 the Mechanics’ Institute building was considered by the Trustees to be beyond repair and the committee could not rebuild without finance. The building was originally constructed in 1880 to serve a community of approximately 150 people however the population of Frankston had grown to approximately 12,000 people and the hall was deemed to be totally inadequate to serve as Frankston’s main hall.

In July 1953 a deputation approached the Shire of Frankston and Hastings with architect plans to rebuild the hall and create a new municipal library which had been approved by the Trustees and the Mechanics’ Committee.  They also requested that council assume the management of the Institute as they had the capability to raise the required finance. 

Over the next three years further plans were drawn by architect Mr J Butler which provided for the seating of 450 and floor space for 250 dancers at a cost of £8000.  These plans were ultimately adopted with certain alterations from the Shire Engineer. The catalyst for action occurred when radio personality Jack Davey visited Frankston in early 1956.  More than 500 fans had crammed into the Mechanics’ Hall when a fire scare caused crushes of people at the exits and highlighted the danger of continuing to use the hall.[5]

A farewell concert for the original building was held in August 1956 and by October the building had been partly demolished. M Gamble won the tender for rebuilding and the new hall was complete in 1956, seating up to 360 people with a large sloping stage which was designed to provide a clear floor to ceiling view of performers from any part of the hall. The new municipal library was opened in October 1957 in what was considered to be a temporary location.

Plans for a new library

In early 1962 plans were drawn to extend and alter the pre-school building in Central Park to conform to requirements for a municipal library with the intention of housing both the library at the Mechanics’ Hall and the junior library operating in Quality Street.  The Free Library Service Board and the town planners agreed that the site and building (after alteration and extension) would be ideal however there was some opposition that the site was unsuitable for a library and a parking problem would be created. The Chamber of Commerce and the Central Park Traders Association objected strongly on the basis of it being the perfect site for a crèche for the children of shopping mothers.  It was also suggested that it would be better for the library to be incorporated in a new civic centre. 

At a council meeting in early 1963, with consideration of the rapid expansion within the Frankston Shire, the suggestion was made that the library should not be considered in isolation but as part of a cultural centre.  A public meeting was called on 23 March 1963 to discuss the proposed site for Frankston’s Municipal Library and alternative sites within the broader concept of a combined library and cultural centre. 

This idea lost traction due to the announcement of an executor of the estate of the late Annie May (Nan) McClelland in mid-March 1963 making public the bequest of the £102,000 estate to be used to erect and maintain a cultural centre on twenty acres of land on Boundary Road, Langwarrin.  The buildings were to be available to the people of Frankston free of cost and comprise an Art Gallery and a “specially designed building to be used for musical productions, plays, film showings, etc.[6]”

A council meeting in November 1963 resulted in the repeal of the decision in April to build the new municipal library at Central Park and land immediately behind the Mechanics’ Hall (occupied by a tennis court) and fronting Plowman Place was proposed as an alternate site.  Again, there were objections to this proposal: some argued that the land of the Mechanics’ Hall had been earmarked as the site for a Town Hall; others objected on the basis of accessibility, distance from the train station and the difficulty for the ‘elderly, the infirm and mothers with young children’ to climb the hill to the site[7].

First plans for a library and cultural centre

A new recommendation made by the special library sub-committee was adopted by council in July 1964 that an £80,000 cultural centre with seating for 300 people, incorporating a central municipal library for adults and children, an art centre, small auditorium and meeting rooms be planned on the site occupied by the Mechanics’ Hall and the adjoining land fronting Plowman Place.  It was to be situated in a garden setting with off street parking.  Objectors to the site recommended Cranbourne Road Reserve or Beauty Park as an alternative.  The Frankston Theatre Group offered their full support to the recommendation as they considered there was a great need in Frankston for such a building.  The Peninsula Light Operatic Society (PLOS) recommended the hall seat at least 350 people and adequate stage and dressing room facilities be provided.

A Library - Cultural Centre sub committee was formed in 1965 and architects were appointed (Messrs. Berg and Alexander) who advised a budget of £100,000 - £110,000.  Again, objections were raised, including by members of the Frankston branch of the Combined Pensioners Association who signed a petition protesting that the cultural centre should not have priority over the erection of ‘much needed homes for pensioners[8]’.   In a covering letter to the petition, they acknowledged that in the future Frankston would need a cultural centre. 

Due to a shortage of finance, the plans to build the new library and cultural centre were put on hold.  By mid-1966 the Frankston Library had reached saturation point and could no longer operate on the existing premises of the Mechanics’ Hall, prompting council to authorise a temporary shift to the old Pre-School in Central Park (Thompsons Street) on May 31^st 1966, pending building of the cultural centre.  

At a Council Meeting in January 1969, Mayor Cr. Harry Woodley proposed that the present library-cultural centre plan be varied with the library being built as a first stage and the cultural centre section at a later date.  In order to build on the site, the Mechanics’ Hall needed to be demolished and it was proposed that council should first build an all-purpose hall to cater for the youth of the district, dances, and theatre with capacity for 400 people.   However vast road building schemes were still ongoing to cater for the rapidly increasing population and finance had to be prioritised.  Opponents to the plans for a library-cultural centre considered it a ‘glamour’ building. 

In an interview published in the Frankston Standard on 26 August 1970 Mayor Cr. Harry Johnston stated that “the time is fast approaching when Frankston Council can turn its attention more to the cultural and aesthetic side of things”.  It was his view that the land from Frankston Park to Foot St should be utilised eventually for a town hall, the library-cultural centre, a swimming pool and botanical gardens. 

Due to continued uncertainty about the site, it was decided at a Council meeting in March 1972 to remove the sign outside the Mechanics’ Hall stating it was to be the site of the proposed library cultural centre.   Although the Library Association of Victoria recommended that the library and cultural centre be built in Central Park, the Frankston Chamber of Commerce strongly objected to this due to congestion in the shopping centre.

A public meeting organised by the ratepayers’ group was held on the 4 June 1973 to discuss community needs and Frankston’s future.  Cr. Harry Johnston advised that the library would be built before other new cultural facilities and a theatre would not be built for “some time”.   

It was indicated at this meeting that the new auditorium at the Frankston Teachers College (which was named the George Jenkins Theatre in honour of a Monash University Professor of Music and Drama) may be available for local performing arts groups. The auditorium, which seated 298 people, was designed as a lecture theatre and space for the instruction and performance of student drama. 

The Peninsula Light Operatic Society (PLOS) and the Frankston Theatre Group had moved their base from the Mechanics’ Hall to the Frankston High School however their access was limited and conditions were restrictive.  The new George Jenkins Theatre could cater for film (the projection room housed a 16mm cinemascope projector), full scale theatrical and musical productions (with large dressing rooms and a sophisticated lighting console) and lectures or talks and local groups gradually adopted this as their primary performance venue. 

A new library

Council accepted the preliminary plans of architects Leith and Bartlett in May 1974 to build the library on newly acquired land opposite the municipal offices on Davey St.  It was to be built on three levels comprising a carpark, the main library and staff facilities.  However, these plans were shelved by mid-1975 due to lack of finance.  Cr. George Pentland predicted that the Davey Street complex could cost $2 million and put the provision of a municipal library back seven years.  A final decision was made in June 1975 to build the new municipal library on the Moores Store site in Central Park and council purchased the leasehold interest of the property.  The library opened in this new location on 17 January 1976, approximately one month after the opening of the Jubilee Park swimming pool (13 December 1976).

The George Jenkins Theatre

The George Jenkins Theatre served as the principal performance venue for local community groups for almost ten years. The original theatre was built in 1973 by the Public Works Department as a part of the Frankston Teachers College and did not have to meet the Health Commission’s regulations.  Following talks with Caulfield Institute of Technology in the early 1980s, it became the Frankston Campus of the newly formed Chisholm Institute of Technology and considered a public building under the jurisdiction of the Health Commission.  Although the regulations of the Health Commission did not apply if the theatre was used solely for the purposes of the Institute they did apply for public use.  The Institute therefore could not expend public funds for the required alterations to meet fire regulations as they would not fall within the definition of ‘college purposes’ in the States Grants (Tertiary Education Assistance) Act.  The institute determined that it could not afford the Health Commissions ruling (at an estimated cost of $150,000) and cancelled public bookings in early 1983.  This was later modified and only applied to groups using sets, props or costumes.

After a short closure in 1983, the campus manager of Chisholm Institute, Barry Bilham, raised the required finance and the theatre was upgraded in accordance with the Health Commission’s regulations. In an interview with the Frankston Standard on 23 July 1986 the manager of the theatre, Bruce Morton, claimed that the George Jenkins Theatre was keeping Frankston ‘on the map’ for theatre productions and was serving the community well.  He cited approximately 120 performances were staged per year with about 150 accompanying rehearsal sessions.

Plans for community theatre and convention centre

The temporary closure of the Jenkins Theatre in 1983 had a huge impact on the theatre scene in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula and highlighted the need for a theatre and community centre.  A feasibility study on the provision of a community theatre and convention centre complex in Frankston was undertaken for Frankston Council by project management consultants Civil and Civic Pty. Ltd.  This feasibility study addressed both commercial viability and community needs.  The community response to the first stage of this study favoured an 800 seat theatre plus a convention centre that could seat 600 people.  Two sites were under consideration for the complex: council owned land bounded by Playne Street, Davey Street and Young Street; and the Baxter Street end of Beauty Park. 

Architect plans for the $5.5 million complex were drawn up by Civil & Civic Pty. Ltd. and designed by renowned architect Harry Siedler (who had designed Sydney’s Theatre Royal and the Australian Embassy in Paris).  Frankston Council’s publicity campaign to present the proposed theatre and convention centre complex was launched at a special press preview in April 1984 with a model and photos of the complex and it was disclosed that it was to be sited at Beauty Park. 

There was strong community objection to the choice of site and a Save Beauty Park committee was formed which presented a petition to Council containing 7,682 signatures from people objecting to the development of Beauty Park.  The Frankston Primary School and St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School both relied on Beauty Park as a sports field and playground, and it was home to the Frankston Croquet Club.  It was also utilised by the Frankston Football Club for carparking during matches.

In response to this objection, Frankston Council engaged the consultants Wilson Sayer Core Pty Ltd to evaluate eight possible sites for the complex around the central business district: Beauty Park; the Mechanics’ Hall; the corner of Young Street and Davey Street; Samuel Sherlock Reserve; Central Park; Balmoral Park; north of Beach Street carpark; and Kananook Creek.[9]  The consultant’s report, tabled at council on 17 September 1984, recommended Beauty Park as their preferred option. Councillors voted unanimously to go ahead with the complex and 8-3 to build it on Beauty Park. 

Beauty Park first had to be rezoned to accommodate the Community Theatre and Function Centre and the Minister for Planning and Environment gave their recommendation to the Governor-in-Council in August 1985, with final approval granted by the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands in November 1985.  By this time the estimated cost of the project was $7.92 million and council proceeded to the task of choosing a developer.

At a Frankston Council meeting in September 1986, it was decided that the project be constructed in two stages with the relocation of the Frankston Croquet Club and construction of the Function Centre in the first stage and the Theatre in the second stage. The estimated cost of the project was $9.5 million. 

Central Business District development

Plans for the development of Frankston’s central business district were also under negotiation at this time with studies completed in 1985 by Council, the Ministry for Planning and the Environment and the Metropolitan Board of Works.  In May 1987 Mayor Cr. David Triplow signed the Heads of Agreement with the Galvin Group (a member of the Costain Consortium) for a $120 million re-development. 

A special supplement to the Frankston Standard on 10 October 1986 ‘Frankston City Development’ described the re-development as ‘one of the most innovative and exciting redevelopments of a City’s central business district ever undertaken in Victoria – indeed Australia’.  Planners envisaged the Centre as a ‘destination, an experience in sight and sound for the whole community to enjoy’.[10]

In September 1987 it was decided to consider the theatre and convention centre in conjunction with the master plan for Frankston’s CBD development and the Frankston Theatre-Convention Centre Project Control Group was disbanded.   The first stage of the CBD project (the Balmoral stage) was the development of the Quayside shopping centre and the second stage included the development of a new City Library comprising a Citizens Advice Bureau, meeting and educational facilities, and carpark, with work expected to commence in mid-1989 and completed in early 1990.  The new library facility, valued at $4.3 million, would be four times the size of the existing one, situated on the land bounded by Davey Street, Young Street and Playne Street.

At a closed committee meeting in November 1988, Frankston City Council determined that it was not viable to build the theatre and convention centre complex in Beauty Park, and recommended the site to the north of Beach Street carpark as the preferred site.  This was one of the eight sites evaluated by consultants Wilson Sayer Core Pty Ltd in their 1984 study.  Tenders were to be called for “a straightforward, cost effective design”[11] to seat 800-1000 people, with construction expected to start in April 1989.  A Theatre Working Party was created and authorised to have architects draw up concept plans for the complex. Due to the projected cost of building at this site, the recommendation to Council in May 1989 was to investigate the option of redeveloping the Chisholm Institute/George Jenkins Theatre.

A thriving theatre scene

The local amateur theatre scene in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula was considered to be booming in 1990 with an increasing variety of amateur groups.  Erik Rinkel (Peninsula School’s drama director) perceived the need to foster this growth at a professional level and “The Metropolitan Theatre” was launched in September 1990. By this time the George Jenkins theatre was operating at capacity and struggling to accommodate the increased demand for performances. 

The 1990-91 annual report of the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Arts Council (FAMPAC) urged the Frankston Council to provide the City of Frankston with a theatre.  President of FAMPAC, Nina Cooke, recognised the increase in audience size over recent years and predicted that interest in the performing and visual arts would continue to grow despite the downturn in the economy. FAMPAC had been in operation for almost ten years and was formed to bring first class entertainment to Peninsula audiences and encourage the building of a suitable venue for these performances.  Nina Cooke and husband Charles Dorning had a vision of Frankston as the “festival city” of the south.  Later in 1991, FAMPAC presented council with a proposal which included the details of the design of a theatre which could be built for $4million.

Plans for a library, theatre and function centre complex

The $160 million Quayside Balmoral Shopping Centre opened to a crowd of approximately 20,000 shoppers on 28 May 1991 and officially opened on the weekend of 29-30 June.  The second stage of the Quayside Shopping Centre would see the Frankston Central site in Wells Street redeveloped and in return developers would pay for a new library in the carpark opposite the civic centre on Davey Street. 

With the completion of the first stage of this project, council deferred a decision to spend $250,000 upgrading Central Park Library as it would be wasted money if the second stage of Quayside was to proceed.  However, industrial action in June 1992 forced councillors to agree to immediately undertake maintenance works and upgrade work areas in the library. Frankston Library would be closed if union demands to improve working conditions were not met.  Asbestos in the roof, water damaged floors, worn and torn carpet taped to the floor, plaster falling from the ceilings, and cramped and inadequate staffing conditions were some of staffs concerns.  An architect was to be appointed to draw up plans for renovations.

At a council committee meeting in August 1992, it was proposed that the $3.7 million Federal Government capital works grant (designed to boost employment in the region) be combined with money in a trust fund to build a library and theatre complex on the Davey Street site opposite the civic centre.  This trust fund was established by council in the early 1980’s after Cr. Dianne Fuller successfully introduced a motion that would allow contributions from the annual budget to be set aside for the future construction of a theatre. 

In early September it was announced that a $13 million library, theatre and function centre complex would be built between Playne Street and Davey Street and would provide an intersection between the municipal centre and the commercial activity of the central business district. 

Cultural heart of the city

Nina Cooke was delighted with the announcement and responded “At last Frankston will be the heart of the peninsula rather than the gateway”.  The theatre/library complex would fulfil a vital need in the community by providing a key cultural focus for both present and future generations.[12]

Her words were endorsed by council CEO Adrian Butler:

“The complex will provide a long awaited cultural heart for Frankston and a venue for the many functions and activities that for years have been held outside the municipality.  At present Frankston does not have a focus or even an appropriate facility which can be used for significant cultural and entertainment purposes. It is perceived that there is a real lack of arts, cultural and community emphasis in the municipality.”[13]

While there was still some objection and heated debate against the building of the theatre, library and function centre complex, council had obtained documented community support through four independent, city wide surveys carried out between 1983 and 1992 with the majority of respondents in support of the complex.  An independent market research and financial feasibility study undertaken by Ecoconsult Pty Ltd in late 1992 showed strong support with almost 80% of replies in favour of a performing arts theatre.  This study concluded:

 "The importance of such a facility is not only for local groups to have a place to perform or for the schools to have a venue for end of year events, but to also be a Theatre which will attract and have the ability to stage a variety of professional or popular appeal shows, thus enabling the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula residents to attend shows locally.  The benefits of this are two-fold: firstly, it allows the community to have greater access to a variety of live performances; secondly, it is of economic benefit to the municipality as it is both "keeping the dollars/profits in Frankston" and attracting new "dollars" into the municipality from audience members from outside the region."

An earlier study concluded that the current location of the library in Central Park was inadequate:

 "The City Library has been located in the current premises since 1977.  At that time the library had 18 staff, held a stock of 78,000 books and materials and the number of items loaned for the year was 657,000.  The library currently has 26 staff, holds a stock of over 120,000 books and materials and issues over one million items annually.  It is currently the biggest single library service point in Victoria.[14]"

Building of the new complex

The new theatre, library and function centre complex was to incorporate a regional performing arts theatre with 810 seating capacity, full fly tower and orchestra pit; a modern municipal library with a floor area of 2600m²  (double the floor space of the former library) to serve a population of over 100,000; three levels of underground parking for 330 vehicles; convention/function centre with full kitchen facilities and up to 400 dining capacity and 600 seated theatre style; offices for the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB); and a toy library.  Stage one of the project included the library, theatre and car parking and the building shell for the function centre and toy library at an estimated cost of $14.2 million.  Fitting out of the function centre, CAB and toy library was to be undertaken in Stage Two of the project with an estimated total project cost of $16.8million.

Following the recommendation of Cr. Michael Fuller, Frankston City Council awarded Daryl Jackson Architects the contract to design the theatre, library and function centre complex.  Plans were submitted in early 1993 and, after a motion proposed by Cr. Gary Burleigh was passed, the building contract was awarded to Salzer Constructions and the local building company Mackie and Staff.  An agreement was reached between Council and Salzer/Mackie that a minimum of 50% of the contract value worth at least $5 million be spent through local business and employment.  The project was expected to provide more than 100 construction jobs over the time of the build and ongoing employment in the complex. 

The sites excavation contract was awarded to CDL Consolidated (Vic) Pty. Ltd. for work including excavation, retaining walls and drainage. The local firm Akron Roads had withdrawn from tendering as the firm had recently been awarded two other major projects. The fist sod was turned in early May 1993; the consortium of Salzer Constructions and Mackie and Staff were appointed in September 1993; and building commenced in October 1993.  Prior to the commencement of the build, on 17 September, the Frankston High School band held a unique concert in the excavated site, described as a muddy pit, of what had recently been rebranded the Cultural Centre.[15]

Local artist, Craig Forster, initiated a project to create a mural “Frankston My Home” that would span the 200m of construction fence around the Cultural Centre site.  The concept arose from “a desire to lift the depressed state of Frankston of the past few years and give the people of Frankston an image of the beautiful city they live in”. [16]  It was intended to involve the community of Frankston in “seeing their city as a home to be proud of and one they should appreciate. The project, which invited members of the community to submit a design and help paint the mural, was sponsored by Bristol Paints (Frankston), RACV Frankston and Sunset Rotary Club.

Heart of the City Appeal

The Heart of the City Appeal under the chairmanship of Mr. John Pennell was launched on 10 November 1993 and targeted corporate sponsors and major donors. The names of major donors would be listed on a major donor honour board in the foyer of the centre and large donations would receive naming rights for a part of the centre.  

The public face of this appeal was the Stepping Stones Appeal under the chairmanship of Cr Noel Ferguson. Members of the community were invited to sponsor a paving brick which would be named and laid in the forecourt of the new centre.  There were three categories of sponsorship: sponsorship of a paving brick for $100, where the person's name would be listed on an honour board in the foyer of the centre; sponsorship of a paving brick for $50 where the person would also receive a certificate; and sponsorship of $25 for a paving brick. Children were encouraged to sign or draw their own forecourt stepping stone before it was baked. 

In early 1995 Premier Jeff Kennett committed a $500,000 State Government grant to this project and considered the building of the Cultural Centre a major boost to the arts and a link to the State Governments plan to turn Victoria into the “undisputed centre of artistic endeavour in the Asian region in the 21^st Century”.[17]

The final appeal for the new Cultural Centre, under the chairmanship of Harry Macdonald, was the “Take Your Seats” appeal where a person could sponsor one or more of the 810 seats in the theatre at $500 per seat.  A plaque would be fixed to the back of each seat to acknowledge the sponsor. 

In total, the contributions to this project were the $3 million grant that the City of Frankston received from the Federal Government's Communities at Work - Local Capital Works Program, $11.6 million contribution from Frankston City Council, $1 million raised by public funding, and the Victoria State Government contribution of $500,000.

The Gala Opening

The Frankston R E Ross Library opened to the public on 2 May 1995 (officially opened on 22 October 1995) with staff having completed the enormous task of relocating more than 120,000 items from the Central Park branch in six working days.

A festival day of entertainment was held in Playne Street and the library plaza prior to the official opening of the Cultural Centre and included street theatre, dance exhibitions, jugglers, roving minstrels and singers.  There were abseiling displays from the theatre’s fly tower and guided tours of the centre.

The Cultural Centre was officially opened on Saturday 20^th May 1995 by Prime Minister Paul Keating followed by a gala event ‘Together, Here, Now’ which involved approximately 3000 performers.  The program was compered by Evelyn Krape as “Gwyneth Bryce-Jones”, and included the Frankston Ladies Choir; the Australian Welsh Choir; Royal Australian Navy Band; Yarra Yarra Dancers  and the Builders Ballet.  The ballet was composed by Robert John and traced the construction of the centre from beginning to end.  The background beat was reminiscent of construction equipment and a selection of photographs taken by Glenn Harper was projected onto a screen above the dancers. 

Community was the centrepiece of Prime Minister Paul Keating’s opening speech, stressing the importance to the nation of ‘vibrant communities working together’:

“While trades, exports and policy development are important to Australia’s future, the vital ingredient is the community.  Our communities are the heart and soul of the nation.  The cultural centre, a result of community and government efforts, will provide a focus, a gathering place in which all citizens shared a sense of ownership and belonging”.[18]

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2019). 3105.0.65.001 Australian historical population statistics: Population distribution. Historical population, 2016 | Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au)

Frankston and Somerville Standard. (1889-1939). W. Crawford Young.

Frankston City Council (1993) A focus for our community.

Frankston City Council (1982).  Interim report on the National Mutual concept: A desirable future for the Frankston C.B.D.?

Frankston City Council (1994). The Frankston Cultural Centre: submission to the Victorian Government, August 1994.

Frankston Independent. (2001-2010) Independent News Pty Ltd.

Frankston Standard. (1981-2001). Standard Newspapers Ltd.

Frankston Standard: Peninsula News Pictorial. (1949-1957). Standard Newspapers Pty Ltd.

Jones, M. A. (1989). Frankston: resort to city. Allen & Unwin Australia Pty Ltd.

Ringer, E. A. (2018).  Hall on the hill: a history of the Frankston Mechanics’ Institute and Free Library: 1873 to 2013. Mornington Peninsula Family History Society.

Standard (Frankston). (1939-1949). Standard Newspapers Pty Ltd.

The Standard: the Frankston Mornington Peninsula News-Pictorial. (1957-1971). Standard Newspapers Pty Ltd.

The Frankston Standard News Pictorial. (1971-1980). Standard Newspapers.