Managing two of Sydney’s most prolific entertainment venues
Over the years, Centennial Parklands has been home to many fantastic events, but perhaps two of the most exciting venues only came to be managed by the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust a mere 25 years ago. The Hordern Pavilion and the Royal Hall of Industries have been event venue staples in Sydney since very early in the 20th century.
The “showbag pavilion” and the “Hordern” as they are known, have been home to some amazing events over the years, from the Royal Easter Show to expos and rock concerts. The most significant change for the venue came in the early 1970s. The explosion of interest in Rock & Roll music in the 1950s, combined with the improved availability of air travel, resulted in a substantial increase in the number of artists touring Australia. The work was completed in February 1972 and the following 11 years proved to be extremely busy.
During this period there were an estimated 1,237 events which drew a total attendance of 3,805,500.
Virtually every major act that played in Sydney from 1972 (until the opening of the Sydney Entertainment Centre in May 1983) performed at the Hordern, and the list reads like a who’s who of contemporary entertainment.
Some of the names who played at the Hordern included Cat Stevens, Roy Orbison, The Jackson 5, Frank Sinatra, AC/DC, Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, Queen, Bob Marley, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, and INXS to just name a few.
Whether it’s the latest innovative expo, the annual Mardi Gras party, Cold Chisel or The Shins, their versatility has contributed to the legacy that Centennial Parklands continues to this day.