The Community Exhibition Program at the Town Hall Gallery is devoted to talented local artists.

Artists benefit from advice and mentoring from our curatorial team to help with their artistic and career development. 

Since 2013, the Community Exhibitions Program has exhibited over 2,900 artworks created by more than 670 artists. The program has:

• received over 690 attendees annually to exhibition openings
• welcomed 5,500 online visitors
• averaged over 550 visits to each individual exhibition.

Sales and donations

The Program has also helped provide over $142,000 in sales directly back to artists of Boroondara.

Town Hall Gallery is pleased to have facilitated donations of over $5,000 to local charities and other charitable organisations thanks to the generosity of artists.

Suitable for children's play, sports, events and social gatherings.

If you’re feeling active, Grace Park is a great place to be.

Lined by oak trees, the park has plenty of open space. The park is used for activities such as Carols by Candlelight.

About the park

This is a popular space for locals of all ages who come to use the basketball and squash half courts, or join the tennis club. It’s also on a bicycle route.

Grace Park Hawthorn Club operates the clay tennis courts.

In 2016, a raingarden opened in Grace Park. Read about the project on our Grace Park raingarden page.

Access Key

Access Keys are customised accessibility guides that provide accurate and convenient information about accessing venues, events, and programs. They are universally designed and suitable for all people, regardless of ability.

Facilities

• Outdoor 50m heated swimming pool with ramp access
• Indoor 20m warm water pool with ramp access, ideal for rehabilitation and recovery, swimming lessons, and aqua aerobics
• Indoor pool has a hoist to transport people with a disability from the change rooms into the pool
• Creche
• Gym
• Cycle studio
• Group fitness rooms
• Cafe
• Sauna

Activities available

Gym

• Group fitness programs
• Personal training

Aquatics

• Swimming lessons
• Swimming squad
• Recreational swimming
• Aqua aerobics

Children’s programs

• Birthday parties

More information 

For details of classes, schedules and prices, visit the Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre website.

Suitable for picnics, children's play, social gatherings and celebrations. 

Yarra Bank Reserve is a lovely spot to relax by the river. The reserve has private rowing sheds and launching facilities.

About the reserve

The reserve originally formed part of the Yarra River floodplain. It is part of a larger length of open space that stretches from Muir Street to Isabella Grove in Hawthorn.

The park is separated from the northern section of open space by the gardens of some properties that run almost to the riverbank.

The embankment constructed for the Burwood Road bridge splits the reserve down the middle.

Suitable for AFL, cricket, outdoor fitness training, children's play, weddings and other celebrations.

St James Park is a large park that features lawns and tree-lined paths making it ideal for picnics.

It offers a:

• turf cricket pitch
• pavilion.

We are repairing and renewing the War Memorial in St James Park. Find more information on the St James Park War Memorial renewal page and the draft master plan. 

History

In 1858, before the secession of Hawthorn from Boroondara Road District, the Road Board sent a letter to the Minister for Lands and Works asking to secure certain grounds opposite the residence of Sir J. F. Palmer for Hawthorn residents.

The land was originally reserved by the Crown and was known as West Hawthorn Reserve. It’s thought that the name St James Park comes from the football club with the same name.

Sportsground schedule

The summer season runs from 1 October 2025 to 30 March 2026. Below is the schedule for the summer season at St James Park.

The Gardiners Creek walking and cycling trail runs through this reserve, linking Boroondara with the city.

Sports facilities

The Hawthorn Velodrome is used by cyclists for recreational purposes, as well as the Hawthorn Cycling Club who use it for junior and senior training as well as competition cycling.

View all bookable spaces at this venue

Rules for safe use

• Patrons enter the track at their own risk
• Wait at entry points until safe to proceed onto track
• Leave track as soon as you have finished your ride
• Do not stop on the track or fence exit area
• Cycle only in an anti-clockwise direction
• Slower riders ride higher on the track, above blue line
• Children must be supervised by an adult at all times
• Please keep dogs out of velodrome

Velodrome line markings

Velodrome longitude markings:

• White line: This line defines the length of the track, which is 330 metres.
• Red line: This line represents the ‘sprinters’ line’, which is the optimum route around the track.
• Blue line: This line represents the ‘stayers’ line’. Stayer-riders below the blue line may not be overtaken on the inside.

Sports schedule

The summer season runs from 1 October 2025 to 30 March 2026. Below is the schedule for the summer season at Hawthorn Velodrome.

Sportsground schedule

The summer season runs from 1 October 2025 to 30 March 2026. Below is the schedule for the summer season at HA Smith Sportsground.

Looking for a nearby park, playground or picnic spot? Find a park near you.