The former Ballarat Supreme Court in Lydiard St Sth Ballarat is one of Ballarat's finest heritage buildings, and sits next to the 1862 'Old Ballarat Gaol' , and was constructed in 1868. A History of The Courthouse, Lydiard St Sth - SMB
(to be updated/corrected as more info comes to hand...)
1868 - Construction completed for Supreme Court Building
1870 - Supreme Court Building opened by Sir Redmond Barry
1944 - The Former Supreme Court House was vacated by Federal Authorities and was allotted for SMB purposes
1947 - Electrical Department transferred to Former Courthouse in Lydiard Street
1970s-Carpentry Department transferred to Courthouse
1982 - Performing Arts Music Programs commence at Courthouse Building SMB
1983 - 3BBB Community Radio granted a lease on part of the Building, inc. downstairs jail cells
1983 - 3BBB Community Radio occupies rear of the Courthouse and commences test transmissions
1984 - Former CourtHouse building restored to accommodate Performing Arts at SMB TAFE and building becomes a Theatre.
1985 - Courthouse Theatre used for Theatrical productions including Theatre Sports and Ballarat Theatre Workshop
1986 - 3BBB commences full time broadcasting, using the rear room as an OnAir Studio, downstairs for office and Studio 2
1988 - Lighting Grid designed by John Beckett installed at Courthouse, with financial assistance from Ballarat National Theatre
1988 - Ballarat National Theatre commences using Courthouse for Productions during Term breaks on a 10 year deal
1994 - Performing Arts and Music Courses continue using The Courthouse for classes and productions
1995 - Technical Theatre Production classes and productions commence at The Courthouse
1999 - First ever Live Internet Broadcast produced from The Courthouse by Dip. of Entertainment Course
2000 - Diploma of Music Course commences at The Courthouse and recording studio established in old jail cells
2001 - Technical Production, Community Theatre and Music Courses share busy course delivery at The Courthouse
2005 - Music Course moves to Camp Street Campus
2009 - Small Companies and Community Theatre Course moves to Camp St Campus
2009 - Advanced Diploma of Live Production Course has sole occupancy of Courthouse Theatre with Ballarat National Theatre during Term breaks.
2011 - Rear dressing rooms converted to multi-purpose classroom and control room with Audio and Video patching into Theatre
2011-2017 - Course Program 'FedUni' Live directed by Rex Hardware, broadcasts over 700 artists via live streaming to over 15 countries.
2018 - The Courthouse Theatre used for Arts Academy acting and music theatre classes and rehearsals.
