Druids House, 407-409 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Title:
Druids House, 407-409 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 109315
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2023:__________________________________________________DATE: 1926-1927;ASSOCIATIONS: United Ancient Order of Druids Grand Lodge;DESIGNER: Gibbs Finlay, Morsby & Coates;BUILDER: Watts, EAPeriod: Inter-War______________________GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES 2011, CENTRAL CITY (HODDLE GRID) HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?The Druids Friendly Society was founded in England in 1781. The society's Brother Hymen migrated from London to Australia in 1851 and with the authority of the Ancient Order of Druids, England, he set up the first Druids Lodge in the colonies. The discovery of gold halted the Society's development until 1861 when Brother A. Barnard from Canterbury, Kent established a lodge in Melbourne. Throughout Victoria lodges were opened in many localities, being most prolific in the gold mining and rural areas where organised health facilities were limited but much needed.The institution was part of the nineteenth century friendly society movement in which the members of each society provided mutual assistance in times of need in areas of insurance, pensions or savings, loans or cooperative banking. In essence, the United Ancient Order of Druids was an early health insurance fund in which a regular, voluntary subscription entitled a member or his family to an allowance, medical treatment and medicine in the event of illness and a benefit in the event of a member's death.The Druids Galas became a well know feature in Melbourne: a parade of Druids marched up Swanston Street to the Exhibition Buildings where fetes, amusements and activities were held resulting in fund raising to build Druids wings and entire floors in many Victorian hospitals. Charities received grants and donations of equipment were made to many organisations. The Druids also proved to a particularly profitable venture and a financial assessment for the five years to November 1921, revealed a surplus of over £30,000. It was resolved that the Order should commit to the construction of its own premises and £24,000 was transferred from the surplus to cover the costs of the project.Druids House, was built in 1926 as a seven storey headquarters for the Order, designed by the firm of Gibbs, Finlay, Morsby & Coates, and constructed by EA Watts. Druids House was located near to other friendly society buildings such as the Independent Order of Foresters Forester Hall in Latrobe Street and the Guild Hall and MUIOOF in Swanston Street. The Druids Friendly Society is still active within Victoria but has sold the Swanston Street headquarters.Styled in the Greek Revival manner, Druids House is a unique architectural design in which the building façade serves as a physical expression of the august institution within. The street elevation takes the form of an abstracted temple front with a heavy , rusticated plinth treatment to the lowest two storeys, boldly abstracted columns with recessed window strips rising through the intermediate floors to a shallow pitched pediment device to the upper floor level. The building is further distinguished by its detailing and the sculptural relief to its summit. At the parapet centre a free-standing statue of a hooded Druid is housed within a recess as a significant and distinctive part of this building.At ground level a major part of the original entry foyer and shopfront remain, with terrazzo and tiled floors, lift lobby, three colour Buchan marble wall facing, a significant stairway with pedestal lights, ornate metalwork, wall mounted directory cases, bronze and brass joinery and the street awning with its embossed soffit.While temple fronted buildings are not uncommon within the Capital City Zone, the approach here is unusual for a buildings of these proportions. The results are remarkably successful.How is it significant?Druids House is significant historically and aesthetically to the Melbourne Capital City ZoneWhy is it significant?Druids House is of aesthetic and historical significance for its important and distinctive Greek Revival façade and associated Druid statue, designed as a direct expression of the character and ideals of the United Ancient Order of Druids. The building has a high level of integrity and finish for the exterior, lift and stair lobby.Historically, this was one of the invaluable friendly societies active in Victoria during early settlement providing access to health and social benefits for the community.__________________________BRYCE RAWORTH PTY LTD, 2002 REVIEW OF HERITAGE OVERLAY LISTINGS IN THE CBDHistory and DescriptionThe Ancient Order of Druids was founded in Victoria c.1862. The institution was part of the nineteenth century friendly society movement in which the members of each society provided mutual assistance in times of need. In essence, the United Ancient Order of Druids was an early health insurance fund in which a regular, voluntary subscription entitled a member or his family to an allowance, medical treatment and medicine in the event of illness and a benefit in the event of a member's death. The Druids proved to a particularly profitable venture and a financial assessment for the five years to November 1921, revealed a surplus ofover £30,000. It was resolved that the Order should commit to the construction of its own premises and £24,000 was transferred from the surplus to cover the costs of the project.Druids House, was completed in 1926 as a seven storey headquarters for the Order. Designed by the firm of Gibbs, Finlay, Morsby & Coates, and constructed by EA Watts 1.The resulting building is a unique architectural design in which the building facade serves as a physical expression of the august institution within. The street elevation takes the form of an abstracted temple front with a heavy , rusticated plinth treatment to the lowest two storeys, boldly abstracted columns rising through the intermediate floors to a shallow pitched pediment device to the upper floor level. The building is further distinguished by its eclectic rendered detailing and the sculptural relief to its summit. While temple fronted buildings are reasonably common within the CBD, the approach is unusual for a buildings of theseproportions. The results are remarkably successful.The Druids Friendly Society is still active within Melbourne although it divested itself of the its Swanston Street headquarters some years ago 2.Statement of SignificanceDruids House is of aesthetic and historical significance at a local level for its distinctive facade, designed as an expression of the character and ideals of the United Ancient Order of Druids. The building also provides an insight into the activities of Friendly Societies in Victoria._____________________________GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites PPT 1926;___________________________City of Melbourne i-Heritage:Central Activities District Conservation Study - Graeme Butler, 1984 Building Identification Form (BIF): : Notable features include shop verandah and elaborate/high standard design of cement rendered surfaces. Alterations / Recommendations: Colour (sympathetic), air unit added (inappropriate - remove or reinstate sympathetic alternative), ground level altered (inappropriate - reinstate original design or sympathetic alternative). Other Comments (building application ) Drawings: Dec 1925Central Activities District Conservation Study 2000 cites: 1 Uncredited brochure, presumed to be authored by United Ancient Order of Druids, c. 1926, held on MCC file; 2 United Ancient Order of Druids, General Laws of the Ancient Order of Druids, Melbourne, 1917 p.3-4.___________________________MCC Building Permit Application1925, 8910 , also Building Permit Application 1974 , 44176 altered___________________________Souvenir of opening 4/4/1927http://www.druidsaustralia.com.au/gallery.htm`The Druids Friendly Society was founded in England in 1781.In 1851 Bro. Hymen from London migrated to Australia and with the authority of the A. O. D. England, set up the first Druids Lodge. The discovery of gold halted the Society's development until 1861. At this time Bro. A. Barnard from Canterbury Kent established a lodge in Melbourne and this time the Society began to flourishThroughout Victoria lodges were opened in nearly every fledging suburb or city. Many lodges were opened in country areas; our history books show that through the gold mining areas and rural centres, lodges were opening at great rates.The Druids Friendly Society was founded in England in 1781.The attractions of the Druids Lodges were fourfold.• They provided sickness and funeral benefit to protect its members in times when no welfare benefits existed. This benefit instilled to major factors into the Society's philosophy benevolence and mutual assistance.• They provided a source of entertainment for the members. Many lodges held their meetings in hotels or licensed public halls. They developed a sense of comradeship, loyalty and pride among their members.• They developed a reputation for, and were acknowledged as, a civic-minded organisation that promoted benevolence to their fellow Australians. Members both native born and immigrants from around the world became one body of Druids, determined to help each other and help develop their fledgling country into a great nation. The Comradeship developed, we know that lodge members banded together to help each other in times of need. They worked together to build lodge halls and many Druids Halls appeared both within the suburbs and country areas.•Working together, caring for each other in times of need and sharing joyous occasions, helped forge the qualities of mateship that have become so typically Australian.History shows that great numbers of young lodge members joined up together and went off to fight during times of war. Honour Boards list the many that went into battle, and sadly they commemorate those that fell in battle and did not return to the lodge rooms.The Druids desire to help their fellow Australians is well documented. The Society held many functions and festivities to raise funds for its members in need and for Charities in the wider community. The Druids Galas became a well know feature on Melbourne's activities calendar. A parade of Druids marched up Swanston Street to the Exhibition Buildings where fetes, amusements and activities were held for all to enjoy. These marches and fetes may have been building blocks to events such as Moomba. The results of the fund raising efforts built Druids wings and entire floors in many Victorian hospitals. Countless charities received generous grants and donations of much needed equipment was given to many organisations.In times of war the Druids were also there, the result of several fund raising activities saw three of the most modern equipped ambulances donated to the Australian Army during the Second World War. The Society's Funds were also put to use and the majority of lodges invested their funds in War Bonds to help fund the efforts made by our gallant fighting members.Times have changed and there are so many forms of entertainment and activities to occupy modern Australians. Those that join the Druids however find that the Australian spirit of comradeship, the compassionate sense of benevolence and mutuality, still exist.'___________________________WIKIPEDIA, THE FREE ENCYCLOPEDIA, 2015Wikipedia: friendly societies`A friendly society (sometimes called a mutual society, benevolent society or fraternal organization) is a mutual association for insurance, pensions or savings and loan-like purposes, or cooperative banking. It is a mutual organization or benefit society composed of a body of people who join together for a common financial or social purpose. Before modern insurance, and the welfare state, friendly societies provided financial and social services to individuals, often according to their religious or political affiliations. Some friendly societies, especially in the past, served ceremonial and friendship purposes also.'___________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889-1931)Wednesday 21 April 1897Druid's Gala…`The Argus':Saturday 9 April 1904Druid's Gala held with Melbourne Hospital Bazaar, stalls, side-shows etc.________________________________DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL1930 Druid's HouseLee, Frank & Co textile machineryJackson, Mrs C tea roomsLucas, Ms F costmrCorstorphan, Colin ladies clothing manfWembley Modes P/L costmrsThe Duband costume manuf co.and mantle amuf.Jones, Harry caretaker1935 Druid's HouseJacobs, Keith & Co textile machineryJackson, Mrs C tea roomsRadio Maintenance P/L radio dealersHayes, Ms dress makerNoble, M mantle makersSpizer, S & Co mantle manufJones, Harry caretaker1974 Victorian Druids Friendly Societies.
Related material link:
407-409 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler14594\\)403, 407-409, 411-423 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler14593\\)Interior, Druid's House, 407 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler13161\\)Rooftop, Druid's House, 407 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler13163\\)Rooftop, Druid's House, 407 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler13162\\)
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Research and reports
Record number:
1264408
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 109315 | 1 PDF : 1,303 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |