BLOCK 19

82 BONEGILLA ROAD BONEGILLA, WODONGA CITY

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Victorian Heritage Register

BLOCK 19 SOHE 2008

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • Assessment Against Criteria

    BLOCK 19 - Assessment Against Criteria

    Criterion Source: Freeman Leeson Architects & Ruth Daniel
    Bonegilla Conservation Management Plan 1996
    
    

    Criterion A
    The historical importance, association with or relationship to Victoria's history of the place or object.
    The Block 19 Precinct is significant as a remnant of the expansionist phase of Defence building activity which took place at the commencement of WW2. It was one of 24 separate accommodation blocks which formed the Bonegilla Army Camp. The camp itself was part of a wider network of camps which included Enoggera, Holsworthy, Puckapunyal and Woodside.
    
    Block 19 is significant for its association with the major immigration program commenced after World War 2 and the resultant radical changes in the demographic composition of the Australian population which resulted from this immigration program. The program was made possible because of the former army camps which were available to accommodate large numbers of immigrants. Bonegilla camp was part of a network of former army camps utilised in this way, including Bathurst, Northam and Woodside.
    
    Block 19 is significant as a remnant of the logistical and organisational expansion of the Army during the Vietnam War.
    
    

    Criterion B
    The importance of a place or object in demonstrating rarity or uniqueness.
    There are few remnant sites where the physical evidence of the post-WW2 immigration program can be seen and there are fewer still where the conditions faced by the hundreds of thousands of migrants who were accommodated in former army camps can be clearly understood. Despite the removal of a number of buildings from the Block 19 precinct the remaining structures, and the evidence of former structures provided by remnant pathways, allow an understanding of the re-use of basic Army accommodation blocks for the reception and processing of migrants.
    
    Block 19 is significant for its capacity to demonstrate to all Australians the physical environment faced by the hundreds of thousands of migrants who were accommodated in the former army camps utilised as Reception and Training Centres or Holding Centres. [Principal Australian Historic Theme 2.4, Migration]
    
    Between 1947 and the early 1950s there at least four major Reception Training Centres, all of which utilised former army camps. Bonegilla was first Centre, had the largest capacity and operated for the longest period of time. The remnant Block 19 at Bonegilla is now one of only two locations where the conditions under which migrants were accommodated can be clearly seen and understood. The second location is at Northam camp however no formal study of the migrant use of this camp, and the remnant significant fabric, has yet been undertaken.
    
    Block 19 is significant as one of only two intact precincts within Australia able to demonstrate the WW2 army camp/migrant accommodation use.
    
    

    Criterion C
    The place or object's potential to educate, illustrate or provide further scientific investigation in relation to Victoria's cultural heritage.
    
    

    Criterion D
    The importance of a place or object in exhibiting the principal characteristics or the representative nature of a place or object as part of a class or type of places or objects.
    Block 19 is the last surviving block, albeit incomplete, of an Army camp that once comprised 24 blocks, ie over 800 buildings in all. The spatial arrangement of Block 19. while not identical to other blocks, is comprised of similar elements to those of all blocks, therefore is able to contribute to a strong perception of army camp/migrant camp physical environment. The location of many of the demolished buildings is clearly evidenced by remnant pathways and concrete slabs.
    
    Each remaining building within Block 19 contributes to an understanding of typical block layouts at Bonegilla Camp and other WW2 camps. The core buildings, the kitchen flanked by mess buildings, are sited opposite the hall. These buildings are located on a central axis, the typical arrangement in each block. The other buildings and remnant pathways [although a number of buildings on the western side have been demolished] mark the typical symmetrical arrangement of each block.
    
    The buildings in Block 19 reflect the modifications to the basic Army buildings during their functional lives. These include the alterations made to the interiors and the site generally such as paths and landscaping however the layout of the precinct and the 'basic" nature of accommodation, with its corrugated galvanised iron walls and asbestos of iron roofs, is clearly evidenced.
    
    The remnant structures and pathways of Block 19 illustrate clearly the organisational arrangements of WW2 army establishments, and their subsequent modification as a migrant/displaced persons camp, and provide an understanding of the harsh conditions under which the migrants were accommodated.
    
    

    Criterion E
    The importance of the place or object in exhibiting good design or aesthetic characteristics and/or in exhibiting a richness, diversity or unusual integration of features.
    The remnant buildings of Block 19 cannot be claimed to exemplify creative or design excellence, however the logistical achievement in constructing a number of camps such as Bonegilla [with over 800 buildings] during the period 1940-41, and the capacity of those 'temporary' buildings to accommodate a variety of uses and occupants for over fifty years is quite extraordinary.
    
    The remnant Block 19 buildings are illustrative of the extraordinary logistical achievements within Australia's WW2 mobilisation program, and particularly its building program.
    
    

    Criterion F
    The importance of the place or object in demonstrating or being associated with scientific or technical innovations or achievements.
    
    

    Criterion G
    The importance of the place or object in demonstrating social or cultural associations.
    It is apparent that the remnant Block 19 buildings are considered significant and are valued, both by Army personnel and by former immigrant 'occupants'.
    
    There is considerable sentiment for the retention of Block 19. Recognition of the precinct's importance to the migrant community followed soon after the formation of the Albury-Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council in 1981 when it was proposed to locate a memorial plaque on the site. Since then various uses have been promulgated but support for the retention and care of the buildings has come from diverse groups, including other ethnic groups, individuals and politicians. A recent Border Mail editorial reflected a community perception that the buildings ought to be saved.
    
    Block 19 enjoys regular visitation by former migrants and their descendants, as does the Albury Regional Museum which over the last two years has made the Bonegilla migrant experience its primary focus. The Museum receives on average 3-5 visitors per day on weekdays and between 10 and 20 visitors per day on weekends whose specific aim is to view the Bonegilla display.
    
    Approximately one quarter of these visitors then go on to visit the site. The Museum also receives up to 5 phone enquiries specific to Bonegilla per day.
    
    The remnant Block 19 buildings, the remnant significant plantings identified above, and the Block 19 site as a whole, is clearly valued by former immigrant occupants, and Army personnel.
    
    

    Criterion H
    Any other matter which the Council considers relevant to the determination of cultural heritage significance
    The site has clear associations with Colonel Latchford, commander of the Allied Land Headquarters Small Arms School which occupied Block 19 during World War II,. and the many immigrants to Australia, originally quartered at Bonegilla, who have risen to prominence through their contribution to Australia's scientific, artistic, economic and political life. These include Sir Arvi Parbo, Ms Franca Arena, MP, and Mr Arman Alexander Opitz [1898-1983] who passed through Bonegilla in 1948 and was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 1962.

    Permit Exemptions

    BLOCK 19 - 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.

    Specific Exemptions:

    General Conditions:
    1. All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object.
    2. Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of alterations that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such alteration shall cease and the Executive Director shall be notified as soon as possible.
    3. If there is a conservation policy and plan approved by the Executive Director, all works shall be in accordance with it.
    4. Nothing in this declaration prevents the Executive Director from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.
    5. Nothing in this declaration exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the responsible authority where applicable.
    
    No permits are required for works which are in accordance with the Conservation Management Plan in four volumes prepared by Freeman Leeson Architects and Ruth Daniell and dated October 1996.

    Permit Exemption Policy

    BLOCK 19 - Permit Exemption Policy

    The importance of Block 19 lies principally in its layout and materials. The buildings are simple P type huts of corrugated iron on timber frames. The layout follows a strict grid pattern and the softening effect of the vegetation is also of importance.
    
    Adaptive re-use and development ought to be permitted even including the relocation of buildings which have been brought to the site and demolition of those sturctures not specified in the extent of registration.
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