By Joy Gothe
The building known today as the Athenaeum Theatre has served the community for many major events, some of those being, roller skating, balls, movies, meetings, and concerts including those given by Dame Nellie Melba.
Starting Life as a Mechanics Institute and Free Lending Library in 1888, it was the centre of cultural life for the Lilydale community.
By the 1890s, performers and travelling companies offered a variety of musical and dramatic entertainment never seen before, which included – dramatic plays, comedies, pantomimes, and vibrant music hall revues, along with Horticultural Shows, talks and lectures on every topic imaginable.
Entertainment promoters brought to the people of Lilydale many unusual acts and artists, such as bellringers, illusionists, ventriloquists, elocutionists and even Wax Models from Madame Tussauds.
This was also a time to present to the public astonishing new science inventions such as the gramophone, cinematograph, x-ray images, the bioscope limelight and many other photographic wonders.
This of course led to the hall becoming a movie theatre, from the silent movies through to the talkies of the 1930s.
This period of time also saw the popularity rise of the Fancy Dress, Bachelor and Spinster Balls.
After World War II, dances became really popular with jazz bringing yet another style of music and entertainment to the region.
In 1946, the town held its own Victory Ball at the end of the war, which was followed by many Debutante and Hunt Club Balls.
To celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the town held a Coronation Ball in June 1953.
From the 1960s onwards, teenage dances became popular, with the new youth culture,
Rock and Roll had arrived.
The Athenaeum saw many exciting performers of the era, such as Diana Trask, Ernie Sigley and his Amateur Hour, Colin Cook, Grantley Dee, The Twilights, with Glen Shorrock, The Valentines with Bon Scott, and The Masters Apprentices with Jim Keays and Glenn Wheatley.
By the 1970s, dances were so popular Lilydale won the right to host Battle of the Bands in 1972.
I have only given you a small taste of all the weird and wonderful events that have occurred in this fabulous building, so the next time you visit or walk past just think about what wonderful stories and secrets are hidden within.
If you are interested in discovering more about the history of Lilydale’s buildings and past visit our website at lilydalehistorical.com.au or email: info@lilydalehistorical.com.au
