The Life of the Balmain Courthouse

Preserving the Legacy of Balmain Courthouse: A Historic Landmark with a Vision for the Future

by Des Kennedy SC

The Balmain Courthouse was designed by the Colonial Architect, James Barnet, and officially opened in August 1887 by the NSW Governor, Lord Carrington, with much pomp, ceremony, and fanfare.

It cost £17,000 to build, is two-storeyed, and was combined with the Post Office - a grand Victorian building that towered over the Balmain Peninsula. It was designed to convey the power and authority of the justice system and to provide much-needed legal and postal services for a burgeoning population.

The combined Courthouse and Post Office formed a unique public building.

Lord and Lady Carrington arrived by Government launch and were met by the Lady Mayoress, and a reception committee at the Darling Street Wharf. 

In a four-horse carriage with outriders and a postilion, accompanied by the Sydney Scottish Rifles with band and pipers, they processed to the Courthouse and were greeted on the steps by the Premier of NSW, Sir Henry Parkes — a Balmain resident.

The local newspaper, The Balmain Observer, recorded that the display of bunting was profuse. The flags of all nations, sorts and sizes fluttered in the breeze. 

The fact that Balmain people are thoroughly maritime was abundantly evident from the number of ensigns and blue pennons displayed on all sides. 

Two thousand children from local public schools sang the national anthem. A crowd of more than 10,000 attended. 

The Engineers and Shipwrights, Druids and Free Gardeners turned out in great force. The engines of the Fire Brigades were festooned and decorated. The Governor proposed a toast to the “Prosperity of Balmain”. It was a grand and momentous event.

At the time, there were 24,000 persons in the Municipality of Balmain, 4,200 dwelling 

houses, 400 shops, and 12 churches.

Inside Balmain Courthouse

The courtroom is large and impressive, with a gallery, unusual for such historic courthouses in NSW. At the rear are four cells and a courtyard, described by the paper as the “prisoners’ yard” or “bear-garden”:

“The cells are much like other cells, and do not require description, as those familiar with them don’t need it, and those who are not, don’t want it.”

The judicial bench was said to be long enough to seat all the Colonial Judges. In 1926, the Police Station was added onto the side of the Courthouse. Whilst it was sympathetically done, it compromised the architectural integrity and unique appearance of the combined buildings.

It was closed in 2015 and is unlikely to be used as a courthouse again. During its time, appeals, criminal trials, inquests, and minor civil cases were conducted. It became a busy Court of Petty Sessions.

Future of Balmain Courthouse

Its future use awaits the outcome of a yet-to-be-finalised Conservation Management Plan (CMP), commissioned by the Department of Communities and Justice. The CMP is to identify a range of appropriate future uses and, hopefully, tell us more of its 138-year history. 

Regrettably, Communities and Justice has not yet decided whether to publicly release it. It has indicated it will only do so if it decides to divest or transfer the property.

This is an important public building that has gone unused for 10 years and should be made available for community use and benefit. There is a compelling case for the CMP to be made public.

Since 2023, the author and others have urged the Government to repurpose it as a state-of-the-art Museum of Balmain, Birchgrove, and Rozelle, with the courtroom preserved for legally related activities — re-enactments of famous trials, mock trials, legal moots, theatrical and musical productions, concerts, films, meetings, corporate events, legal education programs, and a range of other suitable uses.

This proposed use is strongly supported by the Inner West Council’s Unity Hall Hotel and Civic Precinct Community working group and our local Member, Kobi Shetty MP. 

The Council has resolved to seek community use for the building and to engage with the Government to undertake a feasibility study for the proposed museum purpose.

Balmain’s residential development was the first of its kind in Australia, and it became the site of the first industrial and maritime industry in the country — and a major maritime port. It represented the next stage in Australia’s development as a nation after its colonial period.

The famous Mort’s Dock became the largest employer in Australia. It was the biggest shipyard and engineering works in the country during the latter half of the 19th century. By 1905, Mort’s Dock and other associated works covered 18 acres and were the greatest hive of industry in the country.

These were tumultuous times for Balmain workers and unionists, who won an 8-hour working day after strike action. They established the Labor Electoral League, and in the 1891 NSW State Election, won 31 of the 141 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The League became the Australian Labor Party, with its first branch meeting held in that year at the Unity Hall Hotel.

Balmain is also home to the Balmain Bowling Club, the oldest in New South Wales, established in 1880. It hosts the Balmain Sailing Regatta, the first sailing regatta in Australia, which began in 1841. Balmain is also home to the Balmain Rowing Club, the first rowing club in Australia, founded in 1882. Additionally, Balmain is recognised as the birthplace of Rugby League in 1908.

Political Significance Of Balmain Courthouse

Balmain has been home to a Governor-General (Sir John Kerr), a Prime Minister (Billy Hughes), three NSW Premiers (Sir Henry Parkes, John Storey, and Neville Wran), Minister of State Tom Uren, jurist and politician H.V. Evatt, Mayors Nick Origlass, Jamie Parker and Darcy Lawler, Dawn Fraser, as well as many of Australia’s most significant business and sports figures, artists, musicians, singers, journalists, actors, seamen, celebrities, and “colourful Sydney identities.”

One of Balmain’s favourite sons was the Hon. Neville Wran KC, who lived in Nicholson Street and attended the local primary school. His grandfather, a master stonemason, carved the coat of arms on the Courthouse. Neville Wran served as Premier of NSW for 10 years, with outstanding accomplishments.

The Inner West Council has resolved to dedicate Neville Wran Square, in front of the Courthouse, as a fitting commemoration of the legacy of “a working-class Balmain kid who went on to lead and modernise Sydney and NSW.”

If this proposed use of the Courthouse is achieved, Balmain can become an important hub for international, Australian, and NSW tourism — a boon for local businesses.

The Balmain Courthouse — and Balmain — deserve such a grand vision.

If you think you have a use for the space, or an idea for its future use - please reach out and let us know - info@neighbourhoodmedia.com.au