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FORMER ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS TRAINING DEPOT
239 ABECKETT STREET MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY

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Victorian Heritage Register
FORMER ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS TRAINING DEPOT SOHE 2008
FORMER ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS TRAINING DEPOT SOHE 2008
FORMER ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS TRAINING DEPOT SOHE 2008
1 former royal australian army medical corps training depot a'beckett street melb front entrance 1990
former royal australian army medical corps training depot a'beckett street melb facade detail
former royal australian army medical corps training depot a'beckett street melb front view 1990
H0717 H0717 plan
On this page:

Statement of Significance

What 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.

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    • History

      FORMER ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS TRAINING DEPOT - History

      Contextual 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.

      Permit Exemptions

      FORMER ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS TRAINING DEPOT - Permit Exemptions

      General Exemptions:

      General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

      Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

      Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

      Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

      Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

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