Heritage lottery

Three weeks ago, on Saturday, May 9, there was a wonderful celebration of the 125th anniversary of the opening of Australia's Federal Parliament.

It was held at the very site of Australia’s First Parliament – the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, UNESCO and World Heritage site.

Brief background

1880: The building and grounds were designed by architect Joseph Reed and were initially constructed for the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition.

July 1, 2004: the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens became both the first Victorian place and the first “built” Heritage site in Australia to be added to the World Heritage List.

July 20, 2004: the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens was also added to Australia’s National Heritage list.

May 9, 1901: The Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia.

A huge and brilliant painting of the opening and the first sitting of Parliament by Tom Roberts is now on permanent display at Parliament House in Canberra. The development of Canberra as the nation’s capital was still many years away.

The artist Tom Roberts took two-and-a-half years and at great cost to his health to painstakingly complete "The Big Picture". In this painting one can see the stunning interior of the Royal Exhibition Building with some of the architectural features.

Wikipedia – "The Big Picture" (painting) by Tom Roberts

On May 9, Carlton Residents’ Association (CRA) representatives were honoured to share in this celebration of a wonderful asset to the heritage of the City of Melbourne. The CRA looks forward to sharing, with the Museum, in the future journey of the Royal Exhibition Building and surrounds.

And so … it is with great sadness and considerable frustration that we witness the neglect, inside and out, and lack of care, respect and appreciation shown towards this iconic Melbourne asset, especially as Melburnians we profess to pay homage to our heritage buildings.

We know that many others share our concerns and now is the time to come up with new ideas on how we can join together to preserve what we treasure.

Here’s a suggestion:

A statewide heritage lottery proposal

To help preserve and restore our state’s most iconic heritage building and grounds, the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, UNESCO and World Heritage site.

I propose the creation of a special statewide heritage lottery.

The lottery could operate as a limited annual event, with proceeds dedicated specifically to the conservation, restoration and long-term protection of the building. Tickets could be sold across the state through newsagents, online platforms and community organisations, creating an opportunity for the wider public to directly participate in saving an important part of our shared history.

The campaign could include:

Major cash prizes funded through ticket sales

Heritage-themed events and promotions

Public tours and exhibitions connected to the Royal Exhibition Building.

Partnerships with local businesses, councils and historical societies

Recognition for contributors and supporters

A heritage lottery would not only raise essential funds, but also increase public awareness, community pride and engagement with our architectural and cultural history. This strategy has had huge success in the UK.

Many people feel deeply connected to historic landmarks, yet traditional funding sources are often insufficient for the scale of restoration required. A statewide lottery offers an imaginative and community-driven solution, allowing ordinary citizens to play a direct role in preserving an irreplaceable part of our heritage for future generations.

This initiative could become a model for heritage preservation across Australia. •