Soldiers' Memorial Hall

Statement of Significance

Soldiers' Memorial Hall is a particularly imposing two storey civic building constructed of rusticated Donnybrook Stone in the Federation Free Classical style and is a landmark in the Donnybrook townsite. This large, expensive and ambitious building is particularly rare for a country town and its formal symmetrical facade emphasises its importance as a civic building.

Physical Description

Soldiers' Memorial Hall is an imposing two storey building designed in the Federation Free Classical style and constructed of rusticated Donnybrook stone. The building is symmetrical with a central bay containing an arched entrance porch in front of imposing double doors. The entrance arch is flanked by two flat pilasters and surmounted by an entablature engraved with the words 'Soldiers Memorial Hall'. Above the entablature are three casement windows, and the central bay is surmounted by a parapet engraved with 'PRB' (the initials for Preston Roads Board) at the apex and supporting a flag pole. The two flanking bays contain an identical pair of casement windows at both levels. The roof is a simple hip in corrugated iron with small Dutch gables. The front two storey section contains rooms which were used for a meeting room for the RSL, a library and a Roads Board room and office.

History

In 1907, there was a proposal to erect a new building for Preston Roads Board. A special meeting of 80 ratepayers voted equally to build in stone or brick at a cost of £300 or at not more than £150, and when Dr. Elliott gave his casting vote in favour of £300, uproar ensued and the chairman closed the meeting. The next Board meeting decided to hold the matter over. Before the outbreak of war in 1914, plans were prepared for a hall and offices. In 1915, ratepayers voted in favour of a proposed loan for this purpose, but it was deferred due to the war and the difficulty of raising finance. In 1919, it was decided to erect the building as a memorial to those who had fought in the war. Two sites were considered: adjacent to the existing hall in the main street; or adjacent to the galvanized iron courthouse in Bentley Street, which was selected, although some people considered it foolish to build the hall ‘out in the bush.’ In August, the Road Board appointed well known architect Edwin Summerhayes, who designed the large two-storey building in the Federation Free Classical style, of which it is a late example. It combined the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, a large public hall, and the Roads Board offices, with two additional rooms above the office and the foyer, one for the library and one for the use of returned servicemen, and was constructed of local Donnybrook stone. On 24 September, the Governor, Sir William Grey Ellison-Macartney, KCMG, laid the foundation stone. During the course of construction a side wall collapsed because the foundations were not sufficiently strong, and Summerhayes' appointment to supervise the project was cancelled. Road Board member Gus Sharp, who had prior building experience, took over supervision, and on his instructions new foundations were poured before building recommenced. On 13 October 1921, Premier Sir James Mitchell officially opened the Soldiers' Memorial Hall, which was the venue for many well remembered social occasions in Donnybrook. In the 1950s, the Roads Board required more space and new offices were built on adjacent land, and opened on 20 December 1956. The board room and office in the Soldiers Memorial Hall building were converted into a library and ladies’ cloak room. and the floor in the main hall was replaced, and the place continued to provide an important community facility.

Integrity/Authenticity

Most of the external fabric appears original.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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