Wollondilly Shire Hall – A Landmark of Learning, Leadership and Community
Standing proudly in the centre of Picton, the Wollondilly Shire Hall is one of the district’s most significant civic buildings — a place that has served generations as a school, a council headquarters, and a vibrant community venue. Its walls have witnessed more than 150 years of local history, from the early days of European settlement to the thriving modern township we see today.
From Schoolhouse to Civic Landmark (1860s–1910)
The story of the Shire Hall begins not as a civic building, but as a classroom. Construction on the Lower Picton Public School commenced in 1868 and was completed the following year. Built by E.G. Larkin for just over £880, the site included both a schoolroom and a teacher’s residence. For decades it educated the children of early Picton before being replaced in 1910 by the new Superior Public School (now Picton Public School).
Picton’s Growing Needs and the Search for a Council Home
Picton Borough Council formed in 1895, initially meeting in a small room behind the School of Arts. By 1903, Mayor J.W. McQuiggin was already calling for a dedicated council chamber, famously describing the cramped meeting room as “a hole”. Funding was slow to materialise, and after Picton became a Municipality in 1907, the search for a suitable council building continued.
When the old school building across Menangle Street became vacant, a new opportunity emerged. In 1912, the Department of Public Instruction offered the property to Council for £850, and the vision for a grand town hall began to take shape.
Transformation into Picton’s new Town Hall (1912–1916)
Architects McCredie & Anderson designed a substantial redevelopment, including:
- A hall seating 270 people
- A raised stage for performances
- Improved windows and ventilation
- A supper room
- A dedicated council chamber
- New office spaces
- Gas and boiler houses
- Updated lighting and furnishings
Work officially began in 1915 under contractor W. Brown, with bricks for the striking colonnade frontage supplied by Maranoa Brickworks in Upper Picton. Despite delays and added costs — the final price rising to £1350 — the transformation was impressive.
Before the interior was fully furnished, the hall was already busy hosting dances, concerts and early film screenings. The New Town Hall was officially opened on 23 February 1916 by local member Mr J. Lynch.
Becoming the Heart of the Shire (1940–Present)
In 1940, Picton Municipal Council amalgamated with Wollondilly Shire Council, relocating the Shire’s administrative centre from The Oaks to Picton. The Town Hall was renamed Wollondilly Shire Hall, reflecting its new role as the civic hub for the entire region.
Over the decades, the building has undergone several additions and refurbishments. While council offices eventually moved to the Picton Library, then their dedicated administration buildings, the Shire Hall has remained a cultural anchor for the community.
A major refurbishment in 2020–2021 revitalised the hall, adding new flooring, chambers, a dining room, commercial kitchen, amenities, and upgraded gallery and meeting spaces.
A Living Community Venue
Today, the Wollondilly Shire Hall continues to thrive as a venue for:
- Concerts and musical events
- Picton Theatre Group performances
- Dances and community celebrations
- Art exhibitions and markets
- Council meetings and civic functions
More than just a historic building, the Shire Hall is a living testament to Picton’s resilience, growth and community spirit.
Information and historic photographs courtesy of the Picton & District Historical & Family History Society Inc.
