Parliament marks 100th anniversary of Water Riots

At the same time that Government has decided to move the Parliament from the Red House, the Parliament is commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Water Riots.

The Water Riots take place on 23rd March 2003. The Red House Building was destroyed by fire on this day, when the riots broke out at a meeting held in Brunswick Square (now Woodford Square) by the Ratepayers’ Association to protest a debate that was taking place in the Legislative Council regarding the distribution and payment for water. The swiftness with which the fire consumed the buildings has resulted in the local saying “as fast as the Red House fire”. The Parliament is inviting members of the public to an exhibition of memorabilia in the Rotunda of the Red House on Friday March 21 from 9 am to 5 pm. The Parliament Librarian is inviting members of the public who are in possession of information, artifacts or memorabilia to share their knowledge with the public by lending or donating the items to the Parliament Library for the Exhibition. The name Red House was given to the building by the public after it was painted red in 1897 as part of the celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. An incomplete Red House comprising a north and south building connected by an archway over Prince Street was first opened to the public in 1848.