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The Warrnambool Orderly Room and Residence
KEPLER STREET and Part 197-205 Timor Street (Fronts Kepler Street) WARRNAMBOOL, Warrnambool City

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Vic. War Heritage Inventory
H543 Warrnambool Orderly Room and Residence Plan
H543 Warrnambool Orderly Room and Residence Plan
H543 Warrnambool Orderly Room and Residence Plan
H543 orderly room residence kepler st1
H543 orderly room gun room
H543 orderly room interior
H543 orderly room residence
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Statement of Significance

What is significant?

The Warrnambool Orderly Room was constructed in 1868 on the Warrnambool Government Reserve and expanded to include a Gun Room and Residence in the late 1880s. The masonry Orderly Room was designed by the Shire Engineer A. Kerr and was regarded to be one of the most elegant of the volunteer defence association buildings in Victoria.

A sense of isolation and the vulnerability of Victoria's gold wealth precipitated the development of the volunteer movement in the colony, and in 1854, the Volunteer Act was passed. In Warrnambool there were attempts to form a volunteer unit as early as 1855; however it appears these were unsuccessful.

The Orderly Room on Kepler Street was built and used by the Warrnambool Detachment of the Western Corps Royal Victorian Volunteer Artillery. After the 1858 Amending Act, the Warrnambool Volunteer Rifle Corps was established, disbanded in 1863, before the new Warrnambool Detachment was formed in September 1866. Before a permanent building was provided, the Volunteer corps met and trained in the Royal Exchange Hotel. A public appeal was made in 1867 and in 1868 a site was reserved for an Orderly Room on the Kepler Street edge of the government reserve. The building designed by council engineer, Andrew Kerr and was opened with a grand ball on New Year's Eve 1868, with the celebrations were deemed so successful that another ball was staged the following evening. The then Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Manners Sutton, claimed it to be the finest Orderly Room he had seen in the Colony. In early 1869, the Orderly Room grounds and land adjacent to it were permanently reserved for the militia by the Government.

The hall, aside from its military purposes, was a popular venue for social and cultural functions, and was the temporary home for two schools between 1870 and 1872.

In 1884, new legislation was passed which abandoned the volunteer system in favour of a partly paid Militia Force to supplement the Colony's small permanent defence force. The Warrnambool facilities were retained for use by the new militia. The addition of the Gun Room and the adjacent cottage to the Orderly Room in September 1888, were part of the Public Works Department major upgrade of orderly room facilities, headed by S.E. Bindley.

During both WW I and WW II the Orderly Room was used as the headquarters of the local military authorise to enlist volunteers and for medical examinations. The Warrnambool Orderly Room was used for military training until after the Second World War, and later used as an assembly hall and venue for concerts held by the Warrnambool Technical School, and as the main venue for the local basketball competition. The Warrnambool Technical College took over the premises in February 1960 and the Orderly Room currently houses the Student and Learning Centre of the South-West TAFE.

How is it significant?

The Warrnambool Orderly Room and Residence is of historical and architectural significance to the state of Victoria.

Why is it significant?

The Warrnambool Orderly Room and Residence is of historical significance as one of only two surviving masonry Orderly Rooms from the period of volunteer defence in Victoria. It is historically significant for its association with the colonial volunteer defence movement which reached its peak during the mid-nineteenth century. Its continual usage throughout the peak of the nineteenth century volunteer movement, through to the militia system after 1884 and usage by defence force authorities during World War I and II is also important.

The Warrnambool Orderly Room and Residence is of architectural significance as an early masonry orderly room, and as an example of a mid-nineteenth century Volunteer Forces complex, encompassing the Orderly Room, Gun Room and Residence. It is important an example of the development of Orderly Rooms after the 1884 change in legislation which disbanded the volunteer forces in favour of a partly paid militia. Between 1885 and 1889, Public Works Department embarked on a construction program which saw many Orderly Rooms demolished or upgraded. The Warrnambool Orderly was considered worth retaining by the department, and the Gun Room and Residence were constructed during this period, expanding the facilities for the Warrnambool militia.

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    • Physical Description 1

      The Warrnambool Orderly Room and Residence - Physical Description 1

      Date Started c1868; Date Finished ; Storeys 1; Desc INDIVIDUAL BUILDING OR GROUP; Walls LIMESTONE; Former statement of architectural style: GREEK TEMPLE

      Usage/Former Usage

      The Warrnambool Orderly Room and Residence - Usage/Former Usage

      ; UNKNOWN ;

      Physical Description 2

      The Warrnambool Orderly Room and Residence - Physical Description 2

      The Warrnambool Orderly Room and Residence is made up of three buildings: the main Orderly Room, the Gun Room and the residence. The Orderly Room was built to a design by Andrew Kerr in 1868, of stone and exterior was later rendered. In 1888, as the volunteer system was replaced by a partly-paid militia, the Gun Room was added to the Orderly Room and a separate residence for officers was also constructed. These two buildings were most likely built to a design by S.E. Bindley of the Public Works Department. Bindley was the architect behind many orderly rooms constructed by the Department between 1885 and 1891.

      A number of smaller rooms, now used as offices, were constructed at the rear of the orderly room before the 1930s.

      Intactness

      The Warrnambool Orderly Room and Residence - Intactness

      The facade of the Orderly Room and the residence retain their original features. The Gun Room, however, has had much work done on the exterior, including the installation of large windows along the north-east wall, and the replacement of the main entrance on the front wall with windows. However, the front facades retain much of the original character of the building and any works which alter this require permits. The interior of the Orderly Room retains much of its original features, including wall details and the ceiling, though some windows were closed over and entrances created when the Gun Room and additional offices and rooms were added during the 1880s. The Gun Room has had an office and a suspended panel ceiling installed. The Residence has been converted to offices, with internal windows and doorways added.

      Veterans Description for Public

      The Warrnambool Orderly Room and Residence - Veterans Description for Public

      The Warrnambool Orderly Room, on Kepler and Timor Streets, was constructed in 1868 on the Warrnambool Government Reserve and expanded to include a Gun Room and Residence in the late 1880s. The masonry Orderly Room was designed by the Shire Engineer A. Kerr and was regarded to be one of the most elegant of the volunteer defence association buildings in Victoria.

      A sense of isolation and the vulnerability of Victoria's gold wealth precipitated the development of the volunteer movement in the colony, and in 1854, the Volunteer Act was passed. In Warrnambool there were attempts to form a volunteer unit as early as 1855; however it appears these were unsuccessful.

      The Orderly Room on Kepler Street was built and used by the Warrnambool Detachment of the Western Corps Royal Victorian Volunteer Artillery. After the 1858 Amending Act, the Warrnambool Volunteer Rifle Corps was established in 1859, disbanded in 1863, before the new Warrnambool Detachment was formed in September 1866. Before a permanent building was provided, the Volunteer corps met and trained in the Royal Exchange Hotel. A public appeal was made in 1867 and in 1868 a site was reserved for an Orderly Room on the Kepler Street edge of the government reserve. The building designed by council engineer, Andrew Kerr and was opened with a grand ball on New Year's Eve 1868, with the celebrations were deemed so successful that another ball was staged the following evening. The then Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Manners Sutton, claimed it to be the finest Orderly Room he had seen in the Colony. In early 1869, the Orderly Room grounds and land adjacent to it were permanently reserved for the militia by the Government.

      In 1884, new legislation was passed which abandoned the volunteer system in favour of a partly paid Militia Force to supplement the Colony's small permanent defence force. The Warrnambool facilities were retained for use by the new militia. The addition of the Gun Room and the adjacent cottage to the Orderly Room in September 1888, were part of the Public Works Department major upgrade of orderly room facilities, headed by S.E. Bindley.

      During boththe First and Second World Wars,the Orderly Room was used as the headquarters of the local military authorise to enlist volunteers and for medical examinations. The Warrnambool Orderly Room was used for military training until after the Second World War, and later used as an assembly hall and venue for concerts held by the Warrnambool Technical School, and as the main venue for the local basketball competition. The Warrnambool Technical College took over the premises in February 1960 and the Orderly Room currently houses the Student and Learning Centre of the South-West TAFE.

      Permit Exemption Policy

      The Warrnambool Orderly Room and Residence - Permit Exemption Policy

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      The purpose of the permit exemptions is to allow works that do not impact on the heritage significance of the place to occur without the need for a permit. The cultural heritage significance of the Orderly Room and Residence is principally due to their historical importance as early colonial volunteer defence buildings. Works which alter the facade of the Orderly Room and Gun Room will require permits. Works which will alter the interior features, walls and ceiling of the Orderly Room will require a permit. It is recommended that any proposed works be discussed with an officer of Heritage Victoria prior to them being undertaken or a permit is applied for. Discussing any proposed works will assist in answering any questions the owner may have and aid any decisions regarding works to the place. It is recommended that a Conservation Management Plan is undertaken to assist with the future management of the cultural significance of the place. Permits would be required for any new buildings and structures on the registered land.

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