Victoria Barracks
St Kilda Road, SOUTHBANK VIC 3006 - Property No B2950
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
G Block: A strictly functional bluestone building of great clarity and good proportions. Simple in plan with main elements clearly defined. Special note of stairs and good detail of iron work. Of interest that it has been a military establishment since 1860.
See also File No1255 A Block, File No. 1253 C Block, File No. 1254 F Block, File No. 203 J Block , File No. 204 The Keep. See also File No 1999 Cannon
-
-
Veterans Description for Public
Victoria Barracks - Veterans Description for Public
The Victoria Barracks is bounded by St. Kilda Road, Wadey Street, Wells Street and Coventry Street, Melbourne. The Barracks have consistently played a significant part of Australia's military history, throughout the nineteenth century and twentieth centuries. In the colonial era it accommodated the British Imperial Garrison troops, from 1901 -1958 it housed the Department of Defence and during the Second World War it became the headquarters of the Australian War Cabinet. The Victoria Barracks were also the initial Headquarters of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), on its creation in 1911; and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), from its formation in 1921. Australia's involvement in the Boer War, both World Wars and the war in Korea were planned and coordinated - by government and military staff - from the Barracks.
Construction of the barracks began in 1851, with a second stage of works between 1856-1864, costing approximately £96,000. "The Keep" at the rear of G Block in the Victoria Barracks, erected in c.1860 is a stone fortification built from a design prepared in the Public Works Department. "The Keep" at Victoria Barracks is the sole surviving remnant of a once extensive fortified wall forming the western boundary to the barracks compound. Although the fortifications we re-erected immediately after the "Russian Scare" of the 1850's, the role of the keep has been symbolic rather than strategic.
The J" Block of the Barracks was erected in 1860 served as the Barracks hospital and accommodated the 40th Regiment of the Imperial garrison in Victoria. This two storey regular coursed basalt structure, with restrained fine axed stone mouldings, was designed by P.W.D. architect, Gustav Joachimi, in a style based upon colonial Georgian architectural traditions and generally adopted for military barracks in the mid 19th century. The composite timber and iron verandah was erected after 1878.Since the Second World War, the barracks have become the headquarters 3 Division (CMF/Army Reserve), the Soldier Career Management Agency, the Defence Signals Directorate, Army Logistics Command, Headquarters 3rd Military District, Defence Centre - Melbourne, and - currently - Headquarters Support Command Australia. The Federal Cabinet has met in Victoria Barracks twice in recent years, in part to commemorate the Second World War cabinet meetings. The Keating Cabinet met in 1995 (as part of 'Australia Remembers' 1945-1995), and the Howard Cabinet in 1996.
-
-
-
-
-
REGENT THEATREVictorian Heritage Register H0690
-
WAREHOUSEVictorian Heritage Register H0428
-
ROSS HOUSE (FLINDERS LANE)Victorian Heritage Register H0627
-
-