Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Training Depot, 235-249 A'Beckett Street & 362-366 William Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Title:
Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Training Depot, 235-249 A'Beckett Street & 362-366 William Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 110171
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
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Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
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UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2024:__________________________________________________DATE: 1938-9;ASSOCIATIONS: Australian Government or Commonwealth of Australia;DESIGNER: George Hallandal under Mackennal, Horace J Department of the Interior, Works Branch. Chief Architect;BUILDER: J Whitelaw, Richmond,Period: Inter-War____________________________GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryOn the site of a 19th Century orderly room, this Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Training Depot was new nomenclature for the building it replaced in 1938. At its creation, it accompanied another similar, but more modish, installation at 99 - 53 Victoria Street (qv), in the city and a wealth of others in the metropolis - all gearing for the onset of World War Two. Internally they were, as of the 19th Century, a large drill hall(s), mess rooms and offices.DescriptionBroad volumes and planes of red and cream brickwork characterise the building and concur with the terracotta on the exposed roof. Cemented elements, both divide the colours and contribute a formal Neo Grecian colonnade, to William Street. Less formal, and more contemporary is the entrance porch at A'Beckett Street. Here, traditional facade elements are hinted at whilst Modern massing is also attended to. The formal William Street colonnade collides with a stripped 'vertical feature, which marks the commencement of the more relaxed A'Beckett Street character. Metal details of wall or gateway grilles are both refined and stylish. Despite the dated use of the Neo Grecian stylism, the total concept of mixed Moderne and revivalist elements is peculiar to this commonwealth architectural department, possessing some parallels with Percy Everett's state government designs. Inside there were two drill halls, either side of the lobby. Such things as a Hygiene Office, harness rooms, the sergeants' mess and conventional offices were located at either end of the building.External IntegrityHigh external integrity.StreetscapeA corner building and prominent but isolated except for commonality of wall materials to the A'Beckett Street neighbours.SignificanceA superior and original example from a distinctive government design group which successfully combined the European Modern influences with the formal revivalist solemnity desired for public architecture._______________________VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0717Statement of SignificanceLast Updated: 20/12/1999What is significant?The Former Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Training Depot was constructed in 1938 to a design by George H Hallendal of the Commonwealth Department of Works. The main body of the building is a low red and cream brick structure extending along A'Beckett Street. The William Street corner is marked by a classically-influenced three storey element of red brick with rendered pilasters extending two floors to a gorge cornice.How is it significant?The Former Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Training Depot is of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.Why is it significant?The Former Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Training Depot is of architectural significance as an excellent example of an inter-war period military building. The Depot combines several stylistic influences, with colonial revival, art deco, classical and Moderne elements. The Art Deco and Moderne, in particular the modelled brickwork touches, gave it a contemporary feel, while the classical elements of the William Street corner conveyed a sense of conservative solidity appropriate for a major public building, especially one associated with the defence forces. While the building is no longer owned by the Army, its original use can still be clearly detected in the long, low form of the building, which contained two drill halls, classrooms and offices.The Former Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Training Depot is of historical significance as evidence of the build up of military preparedness in Australia in the years immediately preceding WW2. Together with another similar installation in Victoria Street Melbourne, the construction of this new drill hall reflected an expansion in military expenditure as the international situation grew tense. The Depot's location in the CBD provides an interesting reminder of the important role played by the central city in all aspects of social, economic and political life until the second half of the 20th century.____________________GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites RAIA 20th.C Architecure Register_______________________________________HERITAGE BRANCH, MINISTRY FOR PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT 1987 CITY OF MELBOURNE CENTRAL CITY NOTABLE BUILDINGS CITATIONSSTATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCEA drill hall constructed for the Army Medical Corps in 1938 to a design by the Public Works Department of Victoria, this large brick building is a notable and well-resolved example of the "moderne" style of the 1930(5 with classical elements incorporated into the design as befitting its institutional use._______________________________________VICTORIA HERITAGE DATABASEhttps://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/695/download-reportContextual History:History of Place:This building replaced a 19th century orderly room in 1938. It marked a new style in drill hall architecture. Inside it was similar to the 19th century layout, but externally exhibited a more modish style. The contract price for construction of the building was 25,947 pounds._______________________________________Australia and New Zealand, Find a Grave® Index, 1800s-CurrentName George Henry HallandalBirth Date 11 Feb. 1901Death Date 18 Jan. 1997Cemetery Springvale Botanical CemeteryBurial or Cremation Place Springvale, Greater Dandenong City, Victoria, Australiahttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/244297436/george-henry-hallandal_______________________________________WEBROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIASUBMISSION IN RESPONSE TO THE VEAC DRAFT PROPOSALS PAPERVEAC INVESTIGATION INTO HISTORIC PLACESsee https://www.historyvictoria.org.au/submission-in-response-to-the-veac-draft-proposals-paper/Further background on the Drill HallThe Drill Hall, as it is popularly known, was built at the southern corner of William Street and A’Beckett Street, Melbourne, between 1938 and 1939 by J Whitelaw, Richmond, at a budget cost of 25,947 pounds. The architect was George Hallandal of the Victorian section of the Department of the Interior, Works Branch. The featured materials are brick and plaster. Visitors appreciate the strong vertical and horizontal lines, fluted pilasters, arches, keystones, coffered ceilings, built-in seats, Dutch or stable doors and the quality of the work of bricklayers, plasterers and carpenters.The site was continuously occupied by the Army from 1866 to 1988. From 1866 the small weatherboard West Melbourne Orderly Room and the adjoining drill hall were used by Colonial Volunteer forces. In 1900 a contract was signed for the construction of new weatherboard quarters at the eastern end of the site. All were demolished for the Medical Corps buildings.North-west corner of former army medical corps drill hallPost-war use of the building to 1988 included Medical Corps Reserve training, premises for the 3rd Psychology Unit, army publicity (with printing equipment), intermittent drill training (including rehearsals for Legacy shows) and garaging of vehicles. The western end of the building became the premises of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria in August 1999.Entrance to RHSV building showing the insignias of former army medical corpsThe building has two large drill halls with offices along their northern side. The drill halls are separated by a public foyer off A’Beckett Street. Messes are placed at the centre – for sergeants – and at the east and west ends of the building – for ‘other ranks’ and officers respectively.The principal entrance is in A’Beckett Street, and it is here that the words ‘Army Medical Corps’ and the badge of the Corps are pressed into the cement cornice. Of the numerous additional entrances to the east and west, one on Williams Street leads to the Officers’ Mess.The building was the result of both the defence build-up just prior to World War II and the end of the 1930s Depression when government sponsored construction was used to employ tradespeople. Many government offices were built in Canberra and throughout Australia, including those for the Commonwealth Bank, post offices and telephone exchanges. A great many buildings were also constructed for the Army, Navy and Air Force.The building was designed to provide for the administration, organisation and implementation of training, research and advice in medical, hygiene and hospital procedures, the provision of services and the issuing of stores and payroll.Prior to mobilisation for World War II the Army had only three permanent medical officers. The militia organisations during World War I were the backbone of the Corps. These were backed up by civilian medical personnel who could be called up but most had no military or field training whatsoever and even the militia had had no on-going training since 1918. The Australian Army Medical Corps numbered 35 in 1938-1939 and increased to 49 during the following 12 months. By 1943-1944 the total number was 32,100 – 2,500 doctors, 3,500 nurses, 900 non-medical officers (scientists and technicians) and 25,300 other ranks. Women were not admitted to the Australian Army Medical Corps until September 1940.The drill hall had a number of functions: as an indoor parade ground for marching and equipment drill; as a gymnasium and for physical training; as a social centre offering activities such as dances, film nights etc. and for displays. The mezzanine (the ceiling of a row of offices) allows for observation of the activities on the floor of the hall. The design of the ceiling of the drill hall is reminiscent of suburban cinemas of the time.Further InformationAllom Lovell and Associates Pty Ltd. Former Army Medical Corps Drill Hall: an assessment of the architectural and historical significance prepared for Oak Pty Ltd, May 1990.Nelson, Avar and Sawyer, Terry, Interim heritage assessment: Army Medical Drill Hall, September 1988._______________________________________Boroondara Heritage Review B Graded Buildings Lovell Chen 200510 Fitzgerald Street, BalwynHistoryGeorge Henry Hallandal, an architect, purchased Allotment 14 from James Allan in 1922-23.1 A brick house of five rooms was built on the allotment in 1924, to Hallandal’s own design.2 Formerly a pupil of the architect Robert Haddon, Hallandal joined the Commonwealth Department of Works in 1923; in his career there he contributed to or was responsible for the design of large numbers of military and non-military buildings, both in the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania, including the Commonwealth Building.3 He also had a substantial private practice, which included the design of more than 27 hotels. Amongst the best-known of Hallendal’s buildings is the Army Medical Corps Drill Hall in A’Beckett Street, Melbourne (1938-9), which has been included in the Victorian Heritage Register.4 He was awarded the prestigious Silver Medal and an MBE for services to architecture.5Hallandal is reported to have lived in the house with his parents until c. 1927, before he moved to East Melbourne, while his father Henry Hallandal (a butcher) and mother remained at Fitzgerald Street.6 Ernest W Hallandal, (George Hallandal’s uncle) became the occupant of the house in Fitzgerald Street from the 1950s.7 The house was purchased by George Hallandal’s daughter, Joy Dandie, in 1955.8 In April 2007, Joy’s daughter, Bronwyn Dandie, purchased the house_______________________________________THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF Australian Architecture, EDITED BY PHILIP GOAD AND JULIE WILLISHALLANDAL, GEORGEFOR four years after WWI, George Henry Hallandal (1901—c1997) was apprenticed to Haddon & Henderson, the Melbourne firm led by Robert Haddon and which specialised in completing design work for other firms, including A.C. Leith, Cedric Ballantyne and Laird & Buchan. Hallandal, a talented young architect and winner of the RVIA Silver Medal in 1923, designed Ringwood Town Hall, Vic. (completed in 1927) for A.C. Leith. In 1923, he joined the Commonwealth Department of Works (CDW) in Melbourne, before being posted to Canberra in 1926 as resident architect for Parliament House, then nearing completion. In 1927, he was noted by the Argus newspaper as having been arrested on a drink-driving charge and was lucky not to be sent to jail. Between 1935 and 1939, as part of a dramatic increase in defence spending across Australia, and as a lead designer within the Vic. section of the Department of Interior, Works Branch, under Chief Architect Horace Mackennal, Hallandal was responsible for drill halls in Victoria Street, Melbourne (1937), Albert Park, South Melbourne (1936), Geelong (1939) and Mildura (c1939), all executed in variations of beautifully detailed brick and/or cement render in the classical Moderne style. His Australian Army Medical Corps Training Depot, 235—49 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne (1938—9), which includes two drill halls, is another fine example of stripped classical Moderne.By 1949, Hallandal had risen to principal architect within the Commonwealth Department of Works & Housing. Hallandal's major post-war work was Block I of the multistorey H-planned Commonwealth Centre, Melbourne (1954—8, demolished) opposite the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens. This was the second major federal government building to be constructed after the war. Clad in green-glazed faience and replete with aluminium window joinery, the building was known for many years before its demolition as the 'green latrine'. Hallandal retired from government service in 1966.PHILIP GOADcites Allom Lovell and Associates Pty Ltd. Former Army Medical Corps Drill Hall: an assessment of the architectural and historical significance, prepared for Oak Pty Ltd, 1990,A. Nelson and T. Sawyer, Interim heritage assessment: Army Medical Drill Hall, 1988._______________________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)1927The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954)Tuesday 12 July 1927 - Page 11https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206176646"LUCKY TO ESCAPE GAOL."Intoxicated Architect Fined. George H. Hallandal, 26 years, an architect, was before the Fitzroy court yesterday- on a charge of having driven a motor car in Queen's-parade, Clifton llill, whilstunder the influence of liquor…On going to the vicinity he found defendant and another man 'staggering around the car ..."I had some whiskies and then some beer." Defendant was told that he was not in a fit state to drive, and he retorted that he had driven the car through the city traffic. ....Commonwealth of Australia Gazette (National : 1901 - 1973)Thursday 3 November 1927 - Page 2304https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/232537313DEPARTMENT OF WORKS AND RAILWAYS.Appointment on Probation.—George Henry Hallandal, who is not an officer of the Commonwealth Service, appointed on probation as Architect, Public Works Branch, Victoria, with salary at the rate of £390 per annum, to fill new office created….1956George Henry Hallandal, of 74 Albert street. East Melbourne, architect, the sole executor application appointed by .….for estate of ERNEST WALTER HALLANDAL. Formerly of 10 FitzgeraldStreet, Balwyn, But Late of 2 High Street. Mordialloc, Gentleman_____________________Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980 Victoria 1937MelbourneGeorge Henry and Doreen Thelma Hallandal 74 Albert St, East Melbourne
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1266019
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 110171 | 1 PDF : 1048 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |