The Doncaster Shire Hall
For ninety three years the old "Shire Hall" has stood in Council Street at the corner of Doncaster Road. It was built for the Shire of Doncaster and later was the home of the Shire of Doncaster and Templestowe. In 1956 the council and its staff of six moved out. Since then the hall has led a varied but useful life housing community activities such as Girl Guide meetings.It is a simple rectangular building with a single gable roof. The front proudly faces Council Street. Between the steps leading up to the entrance and the high pitched roof are the round arched windows with their raised keystones and the mouldings on the walls. At the front is a high flag pole and at the rear of the roof a small single chimney makes a quaint anti-climax.
The site where the hall stands is possibly one of the most historic in Doncaster. Thomas Robinson, who was a lay preacher in the primitive Methodist Church at East Doncaster, wrote about this site in 1916. He said that, 64 years before, the only house from Richmond to Bulleen was Bill Thompson's bark but which stood upon the ground where the Shire Hall now stands. In 1860, the Baptist minister, Thomas Grant, built a small weatherboard church on this site. This simple building was known as "Grant's Chapel". It was also used for Anglican and Church of Christ services. After four years the Baptist Cause lapsed and the building was moved across the road.
The land remained empty for twenty-seven years.
In 1890 the Doncaster Riding separated from the Shire of Bulleen forming its own Shire. At that time there were four distinct communities in the municipality: Warrandyte, Templestowe, Doncaster and East Doncaster. The new Shire included both Doncaster and East Doncaster, and it was not long before the two clashed. At first the new council met in the Athenaeum Hall. The next year, Richard Serpell offered a block of land east of the school as a site for a shire hall. East Doncaster residents were quick to offer an alternate site. The Council, however, claimed that the shire hall should be erected close to the future railway station. Their decision resulted in protest meetings and a deputation led by East Doncaster residents who claimed that roads should be put in order before money was spent on a building. Richard Serpell changed his offer to a larger block on the corner of Council Street on the condition that residents subscribe 100 pounds in lieu of the increased size. As 110 pounds had already been subscribed the council were able to go ahead with plans to build a hall.
There was a possibility that legal action might be taken to prevent the hall being built on the site. As a precaution, Serpell added a provision that if the land was not used as the Shire Hall, 500 pounds had to be paid to Richard Serpell When the Shire Hall was moved in 1957, 500 pounds was paid to the Serpell family. The hall was to be set back from the road with an entrance from Council Street, leaving space for later additions with an imposing entrance on Doncaster Road. Fourteen tenders were presented to Council by the architect, J.M. Anderson. The lowest, of four hundred and ninety eight pounds ten shillings, came from W.D. Herbert of Williamstown. At this time the land boom had come to an end and building had almost ceased, so Herbert was willing to travel any distance for work.
While building the Shire Hall, William Herbert won the contract to build a two-storey mansion in Box Hill. Known as the Upton House, it stood on the site of the present hospital. Some time later, Herbert and his family moved to Canterbury and built many homes in the district.
The tender was accepted in December 1891, and by May the following year the building was finished. There would have been a formal opening with refreshments, but because of an error in the accounts the builder was not prepared to hand over the key.
At the opening meeting, the Architect began to check the accounts. He sat down at the council table to add up the figures, Councillor Reynolds complained at a non-councillor sitting at the council table.
The Doncaster Shire Hall opened for council business on 3rd June 1892. The Council Chamber was 60' x 44' and was furnished with five splendid lamps. Forms were provided for visitors and a table for the press. There were offices for the Shire Secretary and the rate collector each 16' x 15'.
The first council meeting was held in the new building on 6th June. When the meeting opened, Councillor Reynolds congratulated the Shire President, Councillor Smedley, on being able to take the chair in such a beautiful hall, and hoped at the same time that they would all be spared a long time to see the benefits of their work.
The old shire Hall is being restored by the Council and will become part of the City of Doncaster and Templestowe Arts Centre.
1985 12 DTHS Newsletter
Doncaster Shire Hall
For eighty-one years the old "Shire Hall" has stood in Council Street at the corner of Doncaster Road. It was built for the Shire of Doncaster and later was the home of the Shire of Doncaster and Templestowe. In 1956, the council and its staff of six moved out. Since then the hall has led a varied but useful life housing community activities such as Girl Guide meetings.It is a simple rectangular building with a single gable roof. The front proudly faces Council street. Between the steps leading up to the entrance and the high pitched roof, are the round arched windows with their raised keystones and the mouldings on the walls. At the front, is a high flag pole and at the rear of the roof a small single chimney makes a quaint anti-climax.
The site where the hall stands is possibly one of the most historic in Doncaster. Thomas Robinson who was a lay preacher in the primitive Methodist Church at East Doncaster, wrote about this site in 1916. He said that, 64 years before, the only house from Richmond to Bulleen was Bill Thompson's bark but which stood upon the ground where the Shire Hall now stands. In 1860 the Baptist minister, Thomas Grant, built a small weatherboard church on this site. This simple building was known as "Grant's Chapel". It was also used for Anglican and Church of Christ services. After four years, the Baptist Cause lapsed and the building was moved across the road. The land remained empty for twenty seven years. In 1890, the Doncaster Riding separated from the Shire of Bulleen forming its own Shire. At that time, there were four distinct communities in the municipality: Warrandyte, Templestowe, Doncaster and East Doncaster. The new Shire included both Doncaster and East Doncaster, and it was not long before the two clashed.
At first the new council met in the Athenaeum Hall. The next year, Richard Serpell offered a block of land east of the school as a site for a shire hall. East Doncaster residents were quick to offer an alternate site. The council, however, claimed that the shire hall should be erected close to the future railway station. Their decision resulted in protest meetings and a deputation led by East Doncaster residents who claimed that roads should be put in order before money was spent on a building.
Richard Serpell changed his offer to a larger block on the corner of Council Street on the condition that residents subscribe £100 in lieu of the increased size. As £110 had already been subscribed the council were able to go ahead with plans to build a hall.
The hall was to be set back from the road with an entrance from Council Street, leaving space for later additions with an imposing entrance on Doncaster Road.
Fourteen tenders were presented to Council by the architect, J. M. Anderson. The lowest of £498/10/- came from W. D. Harbert of Williamstown. At this time, the land boom had come to an end and building had almost ceased, so Harbert was willing to travel any distance for work. While building the Shire Hall, William Harbert won the contract to build a two-storey mansion in Box Hill. Known as the Upton House, it stood on the site of the present hospital. Some time later, Harbert and his family moved to Canterbury and built many homes in the district.
The tender was accepted in December, 1891, and by May the following year the building was finished. There would have been a formal opening with refreshments, but because of an error in the accounts the builder was not prepared to hand over the key.
The Doncaster Shire Hall opened for council business on 3rd June, 1892. The Council Chamber was 60' x 44ë and was furnished with five splendid lamps. Forms were provided for visitors and a table for the press. There were offices for the Shire Secretary and the rate collector each 16' x 15'. The first council meeting was held in the new building on 6th June. When the meeting opened, Councillor Reynolds congratulated the Shire President, Councillor Smedley, on being able to take the chair in such a beautiful hall, and hoped at the same time that they would all be spared a long time to see the benefits of their work.
Source: Irvine Green writing in 1973 08 DTHS Newsletter.
At first the new council met in the Athenaeum Hall. The next year, Richard Serpell offered a block of land east of the school as a site for a shire hall. East Doncaster residents were quick to offer an alternate site. The council, however, claimed that the shire hall should be erected close to the future railway station. Their decision resulted in protest meetings and a deputation led by East Doncaster residents who claimed that roads should be put in order before money was spent on a building.
Richard Serpell changed his offer to a larger block on the corner of Council Street on the condition that residents subscribe £100 in lieu of the increased size. As £110 had already been subscribed the council were able to go ahead with plans to build a hall.
The hall was to be set back from the road with an entrance from Council Street, leaving space for later additions with an imposing entrance on Doncaster Road.
Fourteen tenders were presented to Council by the architect, J. M. Anderson. The lowest of £498/10/- came from W. D. Harbert of Williamstown. At this time, the land boom had come to an end and building had almost ceased, so Harbert was willing to travel any distance for work. While building the Shire Hall, William Harbert won the contract to build a two-storey mansion in Box Hill. Known as the Upton House, it stood on the site of the present hospital. Some time later, Harbert and his family moved to Canterbury and built many homes in the district.
The tender was accepted in December, 1891, and by May the following year the building was finished. There would have been a formal opening with refreshments, but because of an error in the accounts the builder was not prepared to hand over the key.
The Doncaster Shire Hall opened for council business on 3rd June, 1892. The Council Chamber was 60' x 44ë and was furnished with five splendid lamps. Forms were provided for visitors and a table for the press. There were offices for the Shire Secretary and the rate collector each 16' x 15'. The first council meeting was held in the new building on 6th June. When the meeting opened, Councillor Reynolds congratulated the Shire President, Councillor Smedley, on being able to take the chair in such a beautiful hall, and hoped at the same time that they would all be spared a long time to see the benefits of their work.
Source: Irvine Green writing in 1973 08 DTHS Newsletter.
Doncaster Shire Hall Sep2016 GoogleStreetView
Doncaster Templestowe Artists Society Gallery.
http://www.dtas.net.au (not operating as at 24/2/2020)
http://doncastertemplestoweartistssociety.org.au/
Old Shire Offices
This simple building of regional architectural significance, was designed by J M Anderson and built by William Deveraux Harburt in 1892. The building was used as the municipal offices and council chambers for the former City of Doncaster and Templestowe until 1957.The building was renovated for the Doncaster Templestowe Artists Society Inc in 1987 and re-opened as an art studio/gallery in 1988. It forms part of a group of buildings comprising the Church of Christ and Doncaster Primary School.
http://www.manningham.vic.gov.au/old-shire-offices
Shire Offices (former) - 673 Doncaster Road
A simple Conservative Classical public rural building, of regional architectural significance. It is finely detailed. It is part of a group with the Church of Christ and Doncaster School.
http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/22383
http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/22383
Former Shire Hall, Doncaster
Used as an art gallery since 1988.
The Doncaster Shire Hall
The Doncaster Council, in order to check-mate the attempt made by a number of rate-payers to prevent the building of the shire- hall, has decided to adopt a mode of procedure which is more in keeping with the Local Government Act. At the meeting of the Doncaster Council on Monday night a motion was carried authorising the council to purchase the original site presented by Mr. Richard Serpell for the sum of £600 ; the amount of £5 to be paid down, and the balance at such time as the council may see fit to sell the land and remove the shire offices. By adopting this course the council is of opinion that the ratepayers who are averse to the building of a shire-hall cannot now interfere, and thus prevent the erection of shire offices, as would have been the case if Mr Serpell's offer had been accepted purely and simply as a gift.
1891 'THE DONCASTER SHIRE-HALL.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 24 June, p. 6. viewed 23 Jun 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8626189
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| Doncaster c1900. View of Doncaster township looking east, in 1900, taken from the Doncaster Tower. Shows Shire Hall, school, E. S. & A. Bank, and houses in the distance. In the grounds of the Shire Hall is a heap of left-over bricks, a privy, water hole, shed, and a picket fence along Council street The large tree in the school ground has been topped. Photographer: Thiele, Henry DP0005 |
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| dp0005 simulation GoogleMaps 2018 |
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| Doncaster Shire Hall in Council Street. The Hall, built in 1892 for the Shire of Doncaster, is flanked by a picket fence. DP0055 |
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| Doncaster Tower & Doncaster Road, Doncaster, Victoria looking west, showing the Doncaster Tower and the Shire Hall. A wide footpath runs along the north side of the road. DTHS-dp0056 |
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| Doncaster Shire Hall at the corner of Doncaster Road and Council Street, on election day. Built for the Shire of Doncaster and opened in 1892. Joan Webster (Facebook) In 1890 the Doncaster Riding had split from the Shire of Bulleen to go it alone as the Shire of Doncaster in its own Shire Hall in 1892. Quite likely this photo is of the declaration of the Shire of Doncaster. DP0157 |
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| Old Shire Hall in Council Street. 1989. When the new Shire Hall was built in Doncaster Road in 1957 the old building became a Guide Hall and for some years up to the present has been home to the Doncaster Templestowe Artists Society. Photographer: Green, Irvine DP0158 |
Centenary of the old Shire Hall 1992
Manningham Archive Donation B05-02 Nov2022
100 years on council corner
The Old Shire Hall has proudly stood
Mute witness to Doncaster's history,
So much to tell if it but could.
Scraping chairs at council meetings,
listening into all debates,
echoes, whispers, papers shuffling;
Residents querying rising rates.
First on this site in 1850,
Bill Thompson built a rough bark hut.
Later Grants wooden chapel;
from its roof, a cross did jut.
Doncaster Settlers on their orchards
Ruled from Bulleen faraway
Wanted roads in place of dray tracks;
Twas time the district had it's say.
Infant Shire in 1890,
Councilors sought a place to meet.
Serpell’s offer of his corner
was first choice no one could beat.
........ Needs rest of transcription
Movie Theatre
For a number of years, the old Doncaster Shire Hall was a theatre showing movies. New Seating was installed in 1928, according to 'Everyones, The Motion Picture Authority' of July 4th 1928 (via Trove)
(unable to be found)
From the 'Box Hill Reporter' of 15th March 1929, an announcement of the screening of a show by Cecil B De Mille:
DONCASTER PICTURES. The Doncaster pictures will present exceptionally good entertainment on Saturday night, when Cecil B. De Mille's giant production "The Volga Boatman," will be screened. Mr. De Mille" is the producer of the Ten Commandments," also "The King of Kings" (to be shown at Doncaster shortly). Patrons are advised to come early for this big night, and to note especially that there vill be no increase in the prices.
1929 'DONCASTER', Box Hill Reporter (Vic. : 1925 - 1930), 15 March, p. 8. , viewed 04 Jul 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257222775
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