Project Case Study – Waltzing Matilda Centre, Queensland, Australia
A Vergola opening roof system was chosen for the $3.3 million Waltzing Matilda Centre at Winton for its functionality and aesthetics. The centre was officially opened by Queensland Premier Rob Borbidge. The patented Vergola system was manufactured in Australia since 1987. Over that time the system, which comprises banks of opening and closing double - skin Colorbond steel aerofoil blades, has undergone a host of design and operational refinements. One of the most significant Vergola innovations is automatic closing at the onset of rain and opening when the skies clear.

The system can also be programmed to set the blades at different angles depending on the movement of the sun during the day for optimum light or temperature control or for security closure at night. Waltzing Matilda Centre project architect Robin Retchford Architects in Brisbane says he choose the Vergola system originally to control the outback sun's impact through the day by controlled opening and closing of the different banks of blades.

The Billabong Theme Court is at the heart of the Waltzing Matilda Centre. A pyramid comprising 40 Vergola banks in a variety of complex shapes including triangles crowns it. Mr. Retchford worked with the Vergola Eziform Group’s manufacturing and design team to achieve his vision for the structure. The Centre's main elements are a museum, art gallery, display centre and the focal electronic show in the Billabong Theme Court. He first chose Vergola as the court's roofing system to dissipate heat and control sunlight.


Features of the court include a coolibah tree, billabong, swaggie, jumbuck, a squatter on his horse and the three troopers. State-of-the-art technology introduced to depict the Waltzing Matilda story includes underwater projection from the billabong, laser lighting, surround sound and a fog machine. "As we progressed I saw that Vergola could also make an effective contribution to the theatrics," Mr. Retchford said. "Working with the Vergola Eziform Group designers and electronics specialists we devised a system whereby the Vergola banks close in six stages to dim external light at the start of each show".

"This required 40 electric motors and six computer controls". "The curtain walls of the court and the banks of Vergola blades are drawn and closed, and the show's electronic staging begins in a pre-set sequence at the press of a single button," Mr. Retchford said.

The pyramid form roof sits on a 15 metre by 15 metre steel frame rising to minimal cap of corrugated galvanised steel. In addition to the Vergola banks forming a mass of the pyramid roof, there are rectangular banks of Vergola around the upper walls of the essentially open-sided Billabong Theme Court.

The Waltzing Matilda Centre project was the largest and most complex Vergola installation that the Eziform Group had undertaken. "Mr. Retchford's concept has taken advantage of every facet of the versatile Vergola double skin louvre blade weather and light control system." "Vergola is well established as the premium roofing system for courtyards and smoking zones of prestige public buildings and for homes where owners desire to maximise their year round indoor-outdoor lifestyle."

"The Waltzing Matilda Centre project at Winton showcases Vergola's practical and aesthetic qualities, while enhancing the staging of the story of our most famous song," Mr. Pollard, Managing Director, Eziform Group, said.