The People’s Palace drew Cupids bow
Drawing them near and dear
She was his jewel … and he was her beau
Dancing together all their year

The Ballarat Civic Hall played matchmaker to Ballarat’s romantic couples during the latter half of the 20th century. Nicknamed the People’s Palace, the hall was an important venue where people of all ages could met and socialise.

During the 2014-15 Participatory Community Consultation, hundreds of Ballarat people shared their life experiences of social events within the Civic Hall. The social currency and community identity mapped during the Consultation was of great value.

One such couple, shared their stories of socialising in the hall during the 1960’s, and their subsequent long and happy marriage. Their story inspired these illustrated Paste Up’s.