Rod Blackmore’s AUSTRALASIAN THEATRE ORGANS Victoria section Best known location: Malvern Town Hall (Melbourne) Compton theatre organ 3 manuals, 17 ranks Console came from organ originally in Astoria theatre, Old Kent Road, London, England. Pipework is of mixed origins. Malvern is a suburb 7.5km southeast of the Melbourne CBD. The impressive Town Hall on the corner of High Street and Glenferrie Road is a jewel in the crown of the local government area known as the City of Stonnington, and the building is also known as the Stonnington City Centre. It was built in 1885-6, late Victorian and Italianate in style. The clock tower was added in 1890, and council chambers and a portico in Glenferrie Road were added in 1927. It is regarded as being aesthetically and historically significant in heritage terms. The main auditorium (or ballroom) has a vaulted ceiling and pendant lighting; there is a rear gallery. Seating capacity is about 600. In 1994 the City of Malvern and most of the City of Prahran were amalgamated to become the City of Stonnington. The 3 manuals 17 ranks Compton organ now installed in the Malvern Town Hall is owned by the Theatre Organ Society of Australia (Victoria division). Members David Cross and Norm McClure had purchased a 3 manual Compton console that had been one of twin consoles at the Astoria theatre, Old Kent Road, London, England, together with 5 ranks of pipes; these had been further acquired by Frank Douglas, and imported by him. In July 1969 TOSA decided to purchase these from Douglas. Other pipe ranks of mixed origins, some Compton, were acquired by TOSA over a number of years, but a decision to move towards readiness for installation was not made until 1985 and in 1989 the availability of Malvern was confirmed by Malvern City Council. Much structural work, including enlargement of the areas available for chambers either side of the stage, and excavation for a console hoist was undertaken. The console, which had been in poor condition on arrival in Australia, was thoroughly rebuilt, original pipe chests were discarded and replaced by those of WurliTzer make. A solid-state relay system was designed and constructed by John Andrews of Sydney (NSW). The console rises on a hoist in the apron of the stage towards the left; it is the same hoist that had originally lifted the ex-Capitol WurliTzer console when it was first installed at the Dendy theatre, Brighton. TOSA’s patron, theatre organist George Blackmore, journeyed from the U.K. to play the inauguration at Malvern on 11th July 1992, and a further concert on 12th July 1992 featured Tony Fenelon and John Atwell. At the time of this opening the complement of pipe ranks stood at 15. Saxophone and Vox Humana ranks have since been added to bring the organ to a total of 17. This venue for a well-coordinated composite instrument is a very frequent location for concerts featuring local, interstate and overseas artists. The organ was extensively featured at the national theatre organ convention held in Melbourne in 2005. Dispersion of pipe ranks (and their make) at Malvern are: Main Chamber (left): Vox Humana (Compton), Clarinet (Compton), Violin (Morton), Violin Celeste (Morton), Concert Flute (Compton), Diapason (Compton-WurliTzer), Tibia Clausa (H.N.&B.), Tuba (Compton) Solo Chamber (right): Viol d’Orchestre (Compton), Viol Celeste (Compton), Quintadena (Moller), Krumet (Compton), Oboe Horn (Stephens), Tibia Clausa (Compton-wood), Trumpet (unknown), Saxophone (Trivo), Vox Humana (WurliTzer) .