A beautifully preserved historic town hall, with pressed metal ceilings, wrought iron balustrades, and the priceless Philip Goatcher stage curtain. Built in 1908, it became famous as a host venue for celebrity performers such as Dame Nellie Melba and Eileen Joyce.
Located in Burt Street, Boulder open Tuesday – Thursday from 10am - 3pm and Boulder Market Days on the third Sunday of each month.
Tours are run through the building on Boulder Market Days by the Eastern Goldfields Historical Society.
Philip Goatcher Curtain
Enjoy a rare glimpse of one of the world’s last surviving examples of a working Goatcher stage curtain. The Goatcher Curtain is on display Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 10:00am and 3:00pm.
Philip Goatcher was born in London in 1852 and left school in his early teens to become a law clerk. In his spare time he would visit Sadler’s Wells Theatre and at work would amuse himself by sketching stage art on office pads.
At 14 he was apprenticed to a Liverpool shipping firm and sailed to Melbourne in 1867. There he jumped ship and walked to Ballarat. Philips sketches attracted the attention of John Hemmings, who worked for the Theatre Royal and was recognised as Melbourne’s leading scene painter. Hemmings predicted a painting future for the young man but Philip had gold fever and moved to New Zealand and to San Francisco. It was there he met the young JC Williamson. But it was not until he returned to London that he began his new career in earnest.
JC Williamson transported him to Australia in 1890 as the highest paid scene painter in the world.
The Bay of Naples
The Bay of Naples is believed to be the only surviving theatre curtain by this fine exponent of the form in the world. The Boulder curtain depicts a Neapolitan scene with the volcano Vesuvius in the background. This is a recognition perhaps of the number of Italians working in the Eastern Goldfields at the time. It was painted in 1908 as a drop-canvas to complement and close the ’picture frame’ stage at the Boulder Town Hall.
The Goatcher curtain can be view every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am - 3pm and every third Sunday of the month (Boulder Market Day) from 9.30am - 12.30pm
For more information call (08) 9021 9600 or (08) 9093 1087
Kalgoorlie Town Hall
The Kalgoorlie Town Hall is located on the corner of Hannan and Wilson Street and is one of the City’s major tourist landmarks. It is open to the public and available for hire. The Town Hall is an impressive 1908 Edwardian-styled building with intricate pressed metal ceilings, chandeliers, sweeping staircase, theatre, and extensive collection of art and memorabilia.
The Council Chambers and Mayor’s Parlour on the first floor are still used for Council 
meetings and contain many objects, photographs and paintings of historic value. For this reason they are not always open.
Opening times are 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday - Friday (closed Public Holidays) and entry is free.
Tours through the building run at 1:30pm Monday to Saturdays (except public holidays).
For further information please call (08) 9021 9600
Installation of a lift
A lift was recently installed in the Kalgoorlie Town Hall, providing greater access to the first floor, which features the Goldfields Sporting Hall of Fame, the Local History Archives, and the Council Chambers.
Town Halls Hire
To hire the Boulder or Kalgoorlie Town Halls, please submit a request form here.
Boulder Town Hall