First Dandenong Scout Group, Scout Hall and Military Hut
61a Princes Highway DANDENONG, Greater Dandenong City
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Statement of Significance
First Dandenong Scout Group Armytage Own Scout Hall is significant to the State and the military hut is significant to Dandenong:
As perhaps the State's finest scout hall, with its distinctive crenellated street facade, as compared among other scout halls built in that era which were typically utilitarian and later often housed in former military huts (Criteria B.2, F.1)
For the hall's close connection with Miss Ada Armytage who, with her sisters, provided strong financial support to the group because, in turn, of the sisters' contact with Lord Baden-Powell (Criteria H.1).
For the hall's long association with the 1st Dandenong Scout Group, Mr Ted Swords, the first scout master and Dandenong High School, among many other key community groups and figures (Criteria H. 1)
For the hut and the hall's combined role at the home front during WW2, a significant period in the area's history (Criteria A.4).
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First Dandenong Scout Group, Scout Hall and Military Hut - Physical Description 1
This rendered Tudor Revival two storey building has a grand crenellated facade with bartizan towers, a crenellated entry porch with arched openings, and original stout timber doors. The hall has steel multi-paned windows at first level and timber windows at ground level. The foundation stone, set into the front wall,was laid 7 January 1935 by Ms Ada Armytage.
Behind this bold facade the form and finish is more utilitarian. The roof is gabled in form and on two levels; it is clad with corrugated steel. The side walls are clad with corrugated iron and fitted with steel framed windows; the rear wall is clad with boarding.
The building contains three rooms, an office, clubroom, a den, kitchenette, and an assembly hall.
To the side of the hall is one of the gabled ex-military huts, clad with corrugated iron.
First Dandenong Scout Group, Scout Hall and Military Hut - Intactness
The building is near intact with probable skillion additions to the rear wall.
First Dandenong Scout Group, Scout Hall and Military Hut - Historical Australian Themes
8. 4 Forming Associations
Veterans Description for Public
First Dandenong Scout Group, Scout Hall and Military Hut - Veterans Description for Public
The First Dandenong Scout Group (Armytage's Own) was formed in March, 1928 by Mr Ted Swords, the first scout master. Apparently a prior group existed for some time in 1917, before their scout master was sent off to serve in the A. I. F. The scout troop called themselves Armytage's Own, as a tribute to Miss Ada Armytage of Holm Park, Beaconsfield (her country house) and Como House, South Yarra.
During the Second World War, the scout hall and the park, which must have been partially cleared,was used by the American Armed Forces as a hospital base, associated with their encampment at Rowville. The hall was partitioned and servicemen were treated in the hall and five other huts erected around it. After the War the High School utilised the hospital huts as classrooms, gymnasium and for school social functions. All but one of the huts were later moved across the road to the school grounds. The wider community also made good use of the hall for meetings, dances, exhibitions and community events.
Heritage Study and Grading
Greater Dandenong - City of Greater Dandenong Heritage Study, 2000, Nadia Gasparetto, Architect (Revised from 1998 Study by Graeme Butler & Associates)
Author: Nadia Gasparetto
Year: 2000
Grading:
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1ST DANDENONG SCOUT GROUP ARMYTAGE OWN SCOUT HALLVictorian Heritage Register H2438
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