The Bendigo Town Hall was first designed in 1859 by the town clerk, George Avery Fletcher, with later additions of the council chambers, and the Corn Exchange for the trading of wheat, corn and grain.

While Bendigo was well on its way to becoming one of the wealthiest cities in the world thanks to the gold rush, the two-storey town hall was of simple design, and was not well-liked by either residents or the council of the day.

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Enter William Charles Vahland, Bendigo's famed architect, who was tasked with transforming the municipal building into something more magnificent for the bustling, gold-rich city.

Between 1878 and 1886, Vahland oversaw a series of works that included a classical exterior, towers and the mansard roof, an opulent interior, offices, and enlargement of the main hall and council chambers.

Otto Waschartz, who decorated the Royal Palace in Copenhagen, was responsible for designing the interior space.

This included elaborate plaster mouldings and paintings by local man WJ Straughair.

The building has since hosted some historic events.

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Sir Henry Parkes - the 'Father of Federation' - oversaw the inauguration of the town's federation league at the hall, and it was the venue for a rally before the Federation referendum was held.

Australia's first Prime Minister, Edmund Barton, and the first Governor-General attended the Bendigo Town Hall in 1901, when the city celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the discovery of gold.

More recently, Victorian Parliament has sat in Bendigo at the town hall - in 2001, it was the first place Parliament had ever sat outside Melbourne.

It has played, and continues to play, an important role in the everyday life of the city.

Until the pandemic hit, council meetings continued to be held in the town hall.

New citizens have made their pledges, people have sold their wares at indoors markets, and balls and concerts have entertained Bendigo's residents within its walls.

Being one of Bendigo's most well-known buildings, it is difficult to imagine the cityscape without the town hall.

But in the early 1970s, it came under threat. A proposal was put before council to demolish the building to open up Hargreaves Street, the hall then deemed to be not of architectural significance.

Jim Evans, from the Bendigo Historical Society, said the 1960s and early 1970s were a "bad time" that saw the demolition of such buildings as View Street's Royal Princess Theatre, and verandas of historical buildings knocked down.

"It's hard to believe they'd demolish [the town hall], but that's what the motion was," Mr Evans said.

The possible destruction of the building sparked a campaign, led by James Lerk, Willi Carney and others, to save it.

When the motion went before the council, the town hall was spared - by just one vote.

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But the building fell into disrepair over the years, until 1994, when the newly-formed City of Greater Bendigo made a commitment to an extensive restoration project.

The first works, which began in 1996-97, included roof repairs, treatment to address a white ant infestation, floodlighting on the exteriors, and work to stop the spreading of damp.

In later years, a stage and arch were removed, while the balcony, foyer and original entrance on Hargreaves Street were reinstated.

There was also a major restoration of the interior, including repainting in original colours, the restoration of the artwork, and the application of gold leaf on decorative features.

Later, new toilets and a lift were installed, and the old council chambers were restored.

While WC Vahland provided for a clock tower in his iteration of the town hall, it was not until 2005 that a timepiece ever adorned the exterior of the building.

Mr Evans said it was believed the council at the time did not bother with a clock, given there was already a clock atop the nearby Post Office (now Visitor Information Centre).

There have since been other works, including repairs to the interiors caused by water damage a few years ago, replacement of floor coverings, and restoration of the flagpole and portico roof.

The most recent round of works began early last year, and includes the replacement of the box gutters, slate repair and replacement, render repairs, the installation of lead sheeting, repairs to doors and windows, and a full repainting of the exterior.

The cresting on the towers has been removed and repainted from green to a mahogany shade, to reflect the historical colour used previously.

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Lead has also been installed on the high-level edges outside, where water tends to sit, to prevent deteoriation.

City of Greater Bendigo manager of property services, Daniella McClure, said three elevations were completed and all that remained now was the Hargreaves Street side.

Mrs McClure said work was progressing "really well" and completion was anticipated by the end of November.

"The City takes price in our heritage and when we consider our heritage buildings, it's all about ensuring they're preserved and can be used by the community," she said.

Mr Evans said he was very pleased with the restoration of the heritage-listed Bendigo Town Hall.

"It's the centre of civic pride... It's where local democracy holds out," he said.