Our friends at the City of Sydney (major supporters of the Dictionary) are having an open day from 10 - 3pm in the Lower Town Hall. And I will be there. So you should drop in and say hi!!! Almost everyone who has lived in Sydney has a connection with Sydney Town Hall. It has been a hub of community life and social functions for over 140 years. For a start, there's the town hall steps. Have you ever met someone there? Then the building - it has been decorated in so many ways - for instance to celebrate the arrival of the great white fleet in 1908 when it was decorated with electric lights - one of the first big illuminations held in the city. It has been draped in black banners to mourn the death of King George V in 1936 and it has had lots of different Christmas decorations and lights. And of course there is the hall itself. It is a hall for hire and there have been an amazing range of events held there over the years. It has hosted school awards nights, banquets, and concerts. Trade shows, health displays, demonstrations, conferences and trade union meetings - all have happened at the Sydney Town Hall. Debutante balls have been held there, as well as the artists balls. We have a great article in the Dictionary of Sydney about the Artists Balls at Sydney Town Hall. It was the first performance home of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. But there has been all sorts of music - Dame Nellie Melba sang in the town hall and so has Lady Ga Ga. Even I have sung in the Sydney Town Hall - Each year I sing Handel's Messiah at the town hall in Radio Community Chest's massed choir. It has been performing for 75 years. The amazing thing is, that a lot of what takes place in the Sydney Town Hall is ephemeral - on one night and gone the next - historic records are thin on the ground. Yet the Sydney Town Hall holds an important place in our memories and Sydney's history.  The City of Sydney's history and curatorial team are hoping to document this social history in an exhibition they're planning but they need your help.

Open Day Saturday 3 May, Lower Town Hall

On Saturday 3 May as part of the National Trust's Heritage Festival, the City of Sydney is inviting the public to bring along any memorabilia you have of Sydney Town Hall - photos, event programs, souvenirs or postcards. There will be a panel of experts that can asses your memorabilia and provide some context to how it fits into the town hall's history. Share your memories and tell the City why the Sydney Town Hall is important to you and your community. You can help the City decide what will be included in their new exhibition that they're planning - we Love Sydney Town Hall. There will also be free mystery tours, floor talks, drawing class and children's activities on the day. You can catch up on Lisa's segment with Mitch on 2SER breakfast here. Tune in next week