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WANDO VALE MEMORIAL HALL & DAVIDSON PARK
636 Casterton-Edenhope Road,WANDO VALE, Glenelg Shire

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Glenelg Shire
52918 Wando Vale Memorial Hall
52918 Wando Vale Memorial Hall
52918 Wando Vale Memorial Hall
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Statement of Significance

What is Significant?
The Wando Vale Memorial Hall and Davidson Park are located adjacent to the former Wando Vale State School on the Casterton-Edenhope Road, in the centre of the township laid out as Wando Vale. The complex consists of the original timber hall, dating from 1902, the 1954 Mount Gambier stone hall; a toilet block from the same period, also in Mount Gambier stone; the remains of a row of Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) which date from the early 1900s; an oval, the football club changerooms/clubrooms (formerly the supper room) of corrugated iron; and some memorials, including a war memorial in front of the moderne hall. Wando Vale township was laid out as part of the Wando Vale Closer Settlement project, the first (and arguably the most successful) closer settlement sheme in Victoria. The hall was the first communal building constructed, in 1902, and served the community for over 50 years, until it was replaced by the new Soldiers Memorial hall in 1954. The new hall continued to serve the same function as the old, but allowed the growing community the extra space it needed for functions, dances and concerts. The hall and park have been used continually for over one hundred years as a community space. Overall, the site is in good condition, and retains a high degree of integrity.

How is it Significant?
The Wando Vale Memorial Hall and Davidson Park are of historical and social significance to Glenelg Shire.

Why is it significant?
The Wando Vale Memorial Hall and Davidson Park are of historical significance as the principal public meeting place of the township and wider area for over 100 years. Socially, the hall is significant as a representative of the strong community spirit which saw the construction of the original hall only one year after the closer settlment blocks in the area were allocated. The community of Wando Vale have used the hall and the park for social activities for over 100 years, and continue this important social use today. Socially, the hall provided a focus for community activities such as dances and film nights. These roles continue and the hall is still used for a range of activities.
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    • Usage/Former Usage

      WANDO VALE MEMORIAL HALL & DAVIDSON PARK - Usage/Former Usage

      Continues as a public hall and reserve

      Physical Description 1

      WANDO VALE MEMORIAL HALL & DAVIDSON PARK - Physical Description 1

      The Wando Vale Memorial hall and Davidson Park are located adjacent to the former Wando Vale State School on the Casterton-Edenhope Road, in the centre of the township laid out as Wando Vale. The complex consists of the original timber hall, built as a Mechanics Institude, dating from 1902, the 1954 Mount Gambier stone hall; a toilet block from the same period, also in Mount Gambier stone; the remains of a row of Cupressus macrocarpa (Monteray Cypress) which date from the early 1900s; an oval, the football club changerooms/clubrooms of corrugated iron; and some memorials, including a war memorial in front of the moderne hall.

      The original hall (built as the Mechanic's Institute) is located at the rear of the 1954 hall, and has been re-orientated to face north. The building has been re-clad in modern weatherboard, and had the original windows and doors have been replaced, and a small kitchen added to the east of the building. It is in fair condition, with a low degree of integrity. The 1954 hall is a large moderne building built of Mount Gambier stone, now painted white. The facade has a strong palladian form, with a low pitched gabled pediment set high above a central entrance with a cantilevered verandah and curved set back steps leading to the entrance. The windows are twelve paned and steel framed. They are painted white, and the row of panes on the lowest level are tilted backwards to allow a ventilation. The roof is a simple gabled, clad with painted corrugated iron. The window sills on the exterior are lines with terracotta tiles. The hall is in good condition with an excellent degree of integrity. The interiors have not been inspected.

      The toilet block to the rear is constructed of Mount Gambier stone, again painted white, and has all curved walls, to form lozenge shape. It incorporates facilities for men on the north side of the structure, and women on the south side. The top of the wall is capped with terracotta tiles which match those on the window ledges of the hall. The toilet block is in very good condition with an excellent degree of integrity.

      The club changerooms, located some 20 metres north east of the rear of the hall are constructed of corrugated iron. This building was purchased in early 1960 from a nearby landholder, and dragged to the park from the Wando Vale Hill. The front of the building has a 'bar' which has wooden shutters which open outwards to allow serving of drinks at events. The clubrooms have a shower area at the rear, where hot water was supplied by a small chip heater. The oval is located about 20m north of the main hall, in Davidson Park. It is a traditional sports oval, with steel tubing used as a fence. The east side of the oval is lined with Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) which appear to date from the turn of the century. It is likely that the reserve originally had a perimeter planting all the way around it, as was traditional for the time. The surviving trees are in very good condition.

      At the front of the moderne hall, a war memorial constructed of locally dug granite has been erected. The memorial is primarily to those from Wando Vale and Wando Bridge who fell in World War One, but later engravings to those who served in the Korean war have been added. The war memorial is in a traditional form of an obelisk with a wooden painted cross a top the obelisk. The granite section is composed of two small blocks, a shaft, and two base blocks of increasing size. A memorial to comemorate 150 years of settlement is also placed in the reserve. This is located on a large granite boulder, with a bronze plaque.

      Physical Conditions

      WANDO VALE MEMORIAL HALL & DAVIDSON PARK - Physical Conditions

      Generally very good.

      Historical Australian Themes

      WANDO VALE MEMORIAL HALL & DAVIDSON PARK - Historical Australian Themes

      3. Developing local, regional and national economies
      3.21 Entertaining for profit

      8. Developing Australia's cultural life
      8.5 Forming associations
      8.5.3 Associating for mutual aid
      8.5.4 Pursuing common leisure interests
      8.8 Remembering the fallen
      8.14 Living in the country and rural settlements

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Glenelg - Glenelg Shire Heritage Study Part One

      Author: Carlotta Kellaway, David Rhodes Mandy Jean
      Year: 2002
      Grading:

Public contributions

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