HERITAGE CITATION REPORT
Name
Address
Place Type
Citation Date
PASCHENDALE SOLDIERS MEMORIAL HALL
87 PASCHENDALE-TAHARA ROAD, PASCHENDALE
Hall Public
2006
52872 Paschendale Hall 129
Recommended
Heritage Protection
VHR - HI - PS -
History and Historical Context
The area of Pascheodale (or Passchendaele) was subdivided as a soldier settlement from the Struan Run after the
First World War. The name was chosen locally rather than being imposed from Melbourne. It was one of the most
infamous battles of the War, remembered for its mud and apparently impregnable German defences. 'The vicious
fighting took place in the most appalling of waterlogged conditions, which helped render the name Passchendaele a
synonym for slaughter. The 3rd Australian Division's attempts to struggle forward to their objective with little
artillery protection represented the last major Australian participation in the Third Battle of Ypres.' (AWM,
http://www.awm.gov.aulunits/event_83.asp)
Several soldiers who fought in the battle came to settle in the area, including William Lambert, Hal MacGibbon,
and Harry Garton. According to the November 1928 minutes of the committee which was established to build the
hall, the building must have been completed in the previous April. The hall is an excellent example of the typical
responseof small communities wishing to remember those who fought and died in the War. With a positive
outlook, they chose to build something practical for the living in memory of the dead. The hall was opened by the
local Member of Parliament, Ian Bond MLA. No architect or builder has yet been associated with its construction.
The hall has been used for community social events such as dances, balls and badminton ever since. It is now
managed by the grandsons and daughters of those who fought in the First World War.
PASCHENDALE SOLDIERS MEMORIAL HALL
Hermes No 52872
Place Citation Report
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HERITAGE CITATION REPORT
Opened April 1925 by E.E. Bond MLA at a cost of 1074 pounds, 2 shillings and 5 pence. (Original Minute Books
November 1925)
References
Shire of Glenelg Centenary, Shire of Glenelg, 1963.
Relevant Historical Australian Themes
3. Developing local, regional and national economies
3.21 Entertaining for profit
8. Developing Australia's cultural life
8.5 Forming associations
8.5.3 Associating for mutual aid
8.5.4 Pursuing common leisure interests
8.8 Remembering the fallen
8.14 Living in the country and rural settlements
Description
Physical Description
The building is in a loosely Arts and Crafts style. It is conventionally symmetrical with cloak rooms to either side
of the entrance. It is timber framed with an external dado of weatherboards and upper walls of asbestos cement
sheeting. The windows are twelve-paned double hung sashes in pairs. The roof is supported by trusses of timber
and iron rods combined. It is covered with corrugated iron. The coved ceiling is lined with fibrous plaster sheets
and battens. The upper walls are lined with plaster sheets and battens and the lower walls with a timber board dado.
While the main hall has been painted, the walls of the cloak rooms retain the original unpainted plaster surfaces and
stained timber battens. A ticket box is located at the rear of the eastern wing. There is a stage at the northern end.
Under the stage, in a semi-basement there is a kitchen where supper was prepared and handed up to the main hall
through low doors at the front of the stage. The original fittings for the Shellite lighting system survive including
the gas bottle.
Physical Condition
Very Good
Usage / Former Usage
Hall
Recommended Management
Maintain generally as existing. Prepare a CMP.
Comparative Analysis
479 Digby Memorial Hall, Portland-Casterton Road, Digby
493 Henty Memorial Hall, Portland-Casterton Road, Henty
735 War Memorial Hall, Showground & Tree Planting, Princes Hwy, Tyrendarra
820 Dartmoor and District Memorial Hall, Wapling Street, Dartmoor
1120 Merino Public Hall, 10 Henty Street, Merino
H1339 Returned Soldiers Memorial Hall, Bendigo
PASCHENDALE SOLDIERS MEMORIAL HALL
Hermes No 52872
Place Citation Report
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HERITAGE CITATION REPORT
H1905 Soldiers and Citizens Memorial Hall, Jeparit
HI1744 The Athenaum and Memorial Hall, Elmore
183 Dunrobin Memorial Hall, Casterton-Naracoorte Road, Dunrobin
1196 Bahgallah Memorial Hall, 751 Bahgallah Road, Bahgallah
Statement of Significance
What is Significant?
The Paschendale Hall is located on the Paschendale Road, at Paschendale in an elevated position 20.0kms eastsouth-east of Casterton overlooking the Wannon Valley. It was built as a community hall rather than as a memorial.
Ian Bond MLA, the local MP opened the building in 1928. Its style is loosely Arts and Crafts and its plan is
symmetrical. No architect or builder has yet been associated with its construction. The hall is timber framed, clad
externally with weatherboards and asbestos cement sheets with a corrugated iron roof. Internally the walls are
plaster and battens with a timber dado. Importantly the original Shellite lighting system survives. The building
retains a very high degree of integrity, the best in the Glenelg Shire, and remains in good condition.
How is it Significant?
The Paschendale Hall is of architectural, historical and social significance to the State of Victoria.
Why is it Significant?
The Paschendale Hall is of historical significance as an excellent example of the typical response by returned
soldiers from the First World War to their need to remember those who had fought and died, and to be practical and
forward thinking in their new lives. It demonstrates the united action of a new community and reflects that
community's social and cultural development over subsequent generations. The hall is of social significance as a
isolated rural example of a memorial hall in a tiny community of returned soldiers, and as their meeting place, and
their families meeting place for over eighty years. The Paschendale Hall is of architectural significance for its
vernacular architecture, use of local materials, and for certain more unusual additions, such as the 'sunken' kitchens
and other such innovative design features.
Recommendations 2006
External Paint Controls
Internal Alteration Controls
Tree Controls
Fences & Outbuildings
Prohibited Uses May Be Permitted
Incorporated Plan
Aboriginal Heritage Place
-
This information is provided for guidance only and does not supersede
official documents, particularly the planning scheme. Planning controls
should be verified by checking the relevant municipal planning scheme.
PASCHENDALE SOLDIERS MEMORIAL HALL
Hermes No 52872
Place Citation Report
Page 3