Expanded heritage listing for Paddington Town Hall to honour LGBTQIA+ and Aboriginal history

Paddington Town Hall, a landmark Sydney civic building, will have its State Heritage Register listing amended to formally recognise its pivotal role in LGBTQIA+ and Aboriginal histories.

The Town Hall on Oxford Street in Sydney’s inner eastern suburbs has long been a hub for activism and social change.

This includes playing host to the 1978 National Homosexual Conference commemorating the first Sydney Mardi Gras, the inaugural Sleaze Ball in 1982, and NSW’s first public forum on HIV/AIDS in 1983, providing a safe space during a time of widespread discrimination.

It also played a key role in Aboriginal history, hosting Sydney’s first Aboriginal debutante ball in 1966 and fundraising events supporting the historic Freedom Ride campaign.

Beyond its social and cultural significance, Paddington Town Hall retains rare surviving interior elements designed by renowned architect Walter Burley Griffin.

Originally listed in 1999, the State Heritage Register entry primarily recognised the building’s Victorian Free Classical style and its place in Paddington’s historical growth and prosperity.

The updated listing expands this recognition to include its enduring social, cultural, and community significance.

The amendment ensures that NSW heritage reflects the diversity of its communities and the social movements that have shaped modern NSW, preserving the stories of activism, resilience, and cultural celebration for future generations.

Heritage NSW Senior Manager Heritage Programs Anna London said:

“Heritage is about more than just bricks and mortar. It’s about the people, the stories, and the social movements that have shaped NSW.

“From hosting the first Sydney Mardi Gras conference to providing a safe space during the HIV/AIDS crisis, this building has been at the heart of NSW’s LGBTQIA+ history.

“This Town Hall also holds deep significance for Aboriginal communities as the site of Sydney’s first Aboriginal debutante ball and historic campaigns like the Freedom Ride.

“Amending Paddington Town Hall’s listing ensures our heritage reflects the diversity of our communities and celebrates their cultural pride and significant contribution to the history of this state.”