15TH ESSENDON SEA SCOUTS COMPLEX
22 & 26 WOODS STREET, ASCOT VALE, MOONEE VALLEY CITY
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The 15th Essendon Sea Scout complex, comprising the adapted 'Nissen' hut known as the 'Boat Deck' and the 'Shackleton Hall', and situated on the banks of the Maribyrnong River, in Fairbairn Park, is significant. The 'Boat Deck' is significant to the extent of the c.1954 fabric including the brick end walls, but excluding the later additions. The significant fabric of the 'Shackleton Hall' is limited to the wrought iron signage in the north and south gable ends.
How is it significant?
The 15th Essendon Sea Scouts complex is of local historic and social significance to the City of Moonee Valley.
Why is it significant?
It is significant for its long and continuing associations with the Boy Scout movement in the City of Moonee Valley. The scouting movement played an important role in the lives of adolescent boys in the twentieth century and was at the height of its popularity when 15th Essendon Sea Scouts was established. The 'Boat Deck' is representative of the re-use of former Army buildings by the scouting movement after World War Two and is the oldest surviving example in the City of Moonee Valley. The wrought iron signage now mounted on the Shackleton Hall, but originally affixed to the 'Boat Deck' hall is significant as the original signage created in 1954 when the club was established. (Criteria A, D & G)
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15TH ESSENDON SEA SCOUTS COMPLEX - Physical Description 1
The 15th Essendon Scouts occupy two buildings on the banks of the Maribyrnong River within the northeast corner of Fairbairn Park off Woods Street in Ascot Vale. They are the former 'Nissen Hut' now known as the 'Boat Deck', which was re-erected on this site in 1954, and 'SSS Shackleton', re-erected on this site in 1973.
The 'Boat Deck' comprises a 'Nissen' or 'Quonset' type hut with brick walls added at either end. 'Nissen' huts were a type of prefabricated military structure that have a distinctive barrel-vaulted form and are clad in galvanized corrugatedsteel. To this basic structure has been added brick end walls with stepped parapets. The south wall has one large high-set louvred window and two doors, while the north end, facing toward the river, has a roller door for boat access and a cruciform flagpole (possibly to emulate ship's rigging). The building has been extended on the east side with a skillion roof addition, also with brick end walls.
Immediately to the east of the 'Boat Deck' is the 'SSS Shackleton'. This is a gabled building clad in ribbed metal. The south facade has a simple pair of centrally located doors below a curved wrought iron sign with '15th Essendon Sea Scouts' and the Fleur-de-Lys Scouts symbol that was originally mounted on the Nissen Hut. An identical sign is on the north elevation. It is above a horizontal window with a fixed central pane flanked by double hung sash with a pair of doors to the left. There are similar windows in the side elevations. There is a small connection between the two buildings.
To the west of these two buildings is another gabled building used by the Scouts with a sign identifying it as the 'Norm Anderson Activity Centre'. This is possibly the first hall erected in 1950 by the 5th Essendon Scout Troop.
Heritage Study and Grading
Moonee Valley - Moonee Valley Heritage Study
Author: Context Pty Ltd, 2015
Year: 2015
Grading: LocalMoonee Valley - City of Moonee Valley Stage 1 Heritage Gap Study
Author: Context PL
Year: 2013
Grading:
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PIPE MAKERS PARK COMPLEXVictorian Heritage Register H1503
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ESSENDON INCINERATOR COMPLEXVictorian Heritage Register H0434
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INFANT BUILDING, MOONEE PONDS WEST PRIMARY SCHOOLVictorian Heritage Register H1321
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