City of Doncaster and Templestowe Heritage Study (1991) Pt06 - Building Communities

City of Doncaster and Templestowe Heritage Study (Context Pty Ltd, Peterson R & Stafford B, 1991) 

Theme 6: Building Communities

With the development of settled communities in the area, from the 1850s onwards, came the need for community resources (places for education, religious worship and entertainment), as well as a requirement for service industries such as shops.

During the first twenty years of settlement more people established themselves at Templestowe and Warrandyte than Doncaster. However, around 1870 the growth of orcharding, particularly in the Doncaster region, reversed this trend.

The earliest 'public' buildings were the 'public houses' built at major road junctions such as the Upper Yarra Hotel, which formerly existed on the land now occupied by Finn's Reserve in Templestowe.

The first church was built by the Lutherans in Doncaster in 1858, which was replaced by the present building on Victoria Street in 1892. Anglican Churches soon followed, with the Holy Trinity Church of 1869 still standing on Church Road, Doncaster. Prior to the erection of these early churches, services were held in private houses and farms. ·

The earliest school is thought to have been established in Templestowe at a site near the Heidelberg Bridge in 1847 (1). The best-known of the early schools was that established by Max von Schramm, which was housed at the premises on Doncaster Hill from 1864 onwards, and later at Schramm's Cottage. Most of the early schools were private and often denominational. This changed in 1872 when the Education Act was passed making education free, secular and compulsory. The earliest schools currently remaining in the area (such as Warrandyte Primary School), date from the years following this Act.

The first Post Office in the region was established in Warrandyte in 1857 with Post Offices being opened in Doncaster and Templestowe three years later (2) The building which was formerly the post office in Warrandyte from the 1890s onwards is still standing in Yarra Street.

In the late nineteenth century three public halls were erected in the locality to provide recreational amenities and a meeting place for the community.

The Athenaeum, containing the first public library in the district, was opened in Doncaster Road, Doncaster in 1871 and was rebuilt in its present form in c1897. This was followed by the two Mechanics' Institutes - one at Templestowe in 1882, which was later replaced by the current Memorial Hall; and one at Warrandyte in 1890, which was also subsequently rebuilt in its present form.

The earliest establishment of any form of local government in the area was in September 1856 when the 'Templestowe Road District' was proclaimed. This included the whole of the present municipality with the exception of Warrandyte which was not included as part of the same area until June 1873. Roads boards existed in order to supervise adequate road facilities in the newly-settled areas; they were not local councils as such and did not merit any special premises.

In May 1875 the Templestowe Roads District was proclaimed the Shire of Bulleen and local government was established with a shire office at Templestowe. The shire was divided into the three ridings of Doncaster, Templestowe and Warrandyte. The earliest surviving council buildings are those which were built for Doncaster Council (now operated as a studio and art gallery), in 1892.

(1) Graham Keogh, The history of Doncaster and Templestowe, 1975, p46

(2) Graham Keogh, The history of Doncaster and Templestowe, 1975, p20

Theme 6.01 Public Buildings

(Former) Shire Offices 673 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster (213.16)

Built in 1892 on land given by Mr R Serpell (1), this building was used as municipal offices and council chambers until 1957. It was renovated for Doncaster Templestowe Arts Society Inc in 1987 and re-opened in 1988 as an art studio/gallery.

The building was designed by J.M. Anderson, and built by William Deveraux Harburt (2). It is a very finely detailed, gable-roofed, simple red brick hall. The brickwork is Flemish bond, tuckpointed. It has a three-bay front and three-bay sides. The front has round-headed windows and a projecting central round-headed porch, with a gable roof that reflects, in simplified form, the main gable. This projects on brackets decorated by a timber king post truss with turned finial and pendant. The barge has a moulding and decorated ends. Openings have fine architrave moulding, with a keystone above the springing point of their arches, which continues as an architrave. There are bluestone sills extending as a cream brick band. The plinth is also cream brick. The words “Shire” and “Hall” are embossed on plates. There are three bluestone steps at the front entrance and the double entrance doors are original.

There is appropriate ogee spouting, and the colours are also appropriate. The rear red brick addition is inconspicuous. The sign is extremely inappropriate and should be replaced.

Internally the original building comprised three spaces - the council chamber, the secretary's room and the rate collector's room (3). The original internal partitions were removed in 1958 (4). The timber trusses, tie rod system, and ceiling seem intact. The installation of the mezzanine has damaged the architraves.

It is in excellent condition and externally intact, with one addition at rear, but under threat of traffic vibration damage.

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.

 

Shire Offices (former), 673 Doncaster Road, Doncaster

(1) Box Hill Reporter, 1 July 1892; History of Shire Hall on panel inside

(2) National Trust of Australia (Victoria) file, nomination form

(3) Box Hill Reporter, 1 July 1892

(4) National Trust of Australia (Victoria) file

City of Doncaster & Templestowe Municipal Offices

695 Doncaster Road, Doncaster (213.37

A Miesian pavilion cantilevers suspended between two grey/green masonry, semi-cylindrical stair blocks.  A wing steps away at ground level, as the site slopes to the left.  It is clad with black finished steel plate clad, with exposed Universal Section mullions, with large panel of dark glass windows.

The left-hand wing is Municipal Chambers. They have a 45 degree clear glass entrance canopy. The level below this (in effect, the basement) using the sloping site, fronts a courtyard. The west elevations have elaborate metal sun louvres on a tubular steel frame. There is an Anthony Prior 1986 sculpture "I am a man like you".

Designed by Gert & Renate Block architects c1970. Gert Block was shortly after appointed Professor of Architecture at Christchurch University, New Zealand.

This building can be compared to Crown Hall MIT & National Gallery Berlin by Mies van der Rohe; South Yarra Public Library, Yuncken Freeman; Siemens, Church Street Richmond & Germany Embassy Canberra by Gert & Renate Block.

Of. State significance as the most complex and arguably the finest expression of a Miesian pavilion in the state.

City of Doncaster & Templestowe Muncipal Offices, 695 Doncaster Road, Doncaster

Warrandyte Fire Station (fmr)

Mitchell Ave. Warrandyte (155.10)

The Warrandyte Fire Station was built in 1944 as a fire station by local stonemason George Stringer using stone supplied from the smaller quarry in Whipstick Gully by the Council (1). The specification indicates the building was designed by F.A. Janeba (Warrandyte); Fritz Janeba established the first year at University of Melbourne Architecture School and left to become Professor at Ankara University in 1963. He also designed a Baby Health Centre in Yarra Street (now demolished) (2).

The rear timber section was built by volunteers in 1966, using materials from a house given to the brigade for wrecking. The timber section was used as a group operational headquarters and radio room until 1969.

It is a simple gable roofed building constructed in two sections, a stone fire truck garage, built in random rubble using the local sandstone, with a rear two-storey timber section. The original wooden doors were replaced by the present metal doors in the 1970s. A tall steel tower, located towards the rear of the site, started life in the 1920s as a windmill pumping water and was then donated to the fire brigade who used it as a fire look-out tower on Fourth Hill from 1946-61 (3).

The building served as a fire station until it was replaced by the fire station on the corner of Harris Gully and Brumbys Roads in 1981. It is now used by the Warrandyte Arts Association.

It is thought to be the only solid stone fire station in the State.

Of local significance for its use of local stone in a utilitarian design by Fritz Janeba, demonstrating the craft skills of local stone mason George Stringer, and providing evidence of the collective endeavour of the local community in the immediate post-World War II period to create a building essential to the safety of bush-fire prone Warrandyte.

(1) Warrandyte Historical Society, undated notes; 'Consent to Commence Building Operations', Dept. of War Organisation 2 August 1944.

(2) John Hipwell, pers. comm. 18.4.91.

(3) Bruce Bence. The Mechanics Institute Warrandyte 1882-1990.

South Warrandyte Fire Station

Brumbys Road, Warrandyte South (176.07)

An elegant and sympathetic shallow curved, warped plane, roof extending down over the offices which project forward at the left-hand side and at the rear. At the front, this is sup¬ ported on poles as a deep eaves. It is built of deep cream brick with brown stained joinery. Around the building is some tentative native planting.

It was designed by David Morgan, architect, but not beyond sketch design stage. Detailed documentation was completed by the Country Fire Authority, Building and Property Department at their Tally Ho offices. The CFA were the builders over 1986-7, members of the fire brigade working voluntarily under the direction of a professional bricklayer (1)

Comparable with the work of Greg Burgess at 42 & 58 Berrima Road. Of local significance as an elegant and sympathetic adaption of an organic design approach to a public building. A contribution towards the future direction of design for rural public buildings beyond the ubiquitous colonial vernacular.

(1) Architect, July 1986, p.7; Peter Eldred, Deputy Manager, Building & Property Department, Country Fire Authority, pers. Comm

South Warrandyte Fire Station, Brumbys Road, Warrandyte

Warrandyte Police Station (fmr)

71 Yarra St. Warrandyte (155.11)

Warrandyte Police Station has been in many locations; this was probably its fifth location (1). This brick Bungalow residence was used as a police station from c1932 until the late 1950s after fire destroyed the previous police station in Stiggant Street; since then it has been a private residence.

It is a double-fronted late Edwardian tuck¬pointed red brick house. The left-hand bay projects forward as a gable. The upper gable is timbered and supported on timber brackets with a terracotta finial. The Marseilles tile roof sweeps down over the verandah. The windows are pairs. Concrete has replaced the verandah floor and tubular steel has replaced the posts.

Comparable to Holy Trinity Vicarage, Church Road; Trinity Lutheran Church Manse; Victoria Street and 18 Yarra Street.

Of local significance as a typical simple·Edwardian house formerly used as the police station.

(1) Louis R. Cranfield The golden history of Warrandyte. 1982. p.110

Warrandyte Police Station

65 Yarra St. Warrandyte (155.12)

The current Warrandyte Police Station comprises a brick building, originally built as a house by W. Moore after the 1939 bushfires, and a recent portable station building at the rear. It has been used as a Police Station since the 1962 fires (1).

The house is in the late Bungalow style, with English Cottage influence in its use of clinker brickwork. The design also has medievalising elements such as the gable with its half-timbering over rough cast render.

Of local interest for its role as the local police station.

(1) Bruce Bence, pers. comm.

(Former) Warrandyte Post Office 

Yarra St. Warrandyte (155.13)

This early Victorian timber building was con¬ structed in stages between 1876 and the early 1900s. It was rebuilt between 1985-88 after a fire destroyed some sections.

The site was purchased from the Crown by Alexander Speers in 1876, and as listed as a store in the Council rate books of 1876. Henry Squires appears to have been the first person to operate a post office from the building in 1893, renting the building from Mr Speers (1). The first post office at Warrandyte was opened in 1857 (2).

Early in its life the building was extended to the rear, and later to the north-eastern side (c1897), with the eastern verandah and timber tracery details dating from the early 1900s.

The Post Office terminated its lease in 1972, and the building served as a residence for some years.

The building has survived a number of natural calamities including the 1934 floods (which covered the floor) and the 1939 bushfires which decimated the town. After being condemned by Council, it was partly destroyed by a deliberately lit fire in 1982.  Local efforts saw its reconstruction achieved and it was reopened as a community and tourist information centre in 1987.

The building has a double-gable, and three bays, with the gables extending across the site. A timber verandah around two sides has a timber valance and decorative brackets, with some sections enclosed by a timber balustrade. The right-hand side of the building was separated as a residence.

Even though it has been rebuilt some original sections remain, and the building has been re¬ constructed with some care to the original detailing. The rebuilding revealed much evidence about the sequence of construction, demonstrating that the western point of the Yarra Street frontage is the c1876 building.

Of regional significance as an early building demonstrating the typical characteristics of early timber structures, and for its historical imp01tance as the only relatively intact building in the town's main street dating from the gold mining period. It is also of local social significance for its important and continuing associations with the social and economic life of the town for over 100 years.

(1) Bruce Bence, “The Historic Post Office at Warrandyte 1876-1988”, 1989.

Warrandyte Post Office (former), Yarra Street, Warrandyte

Theme 6.02 Churches

The surviving stock of church buildings in the locality constitutes a wide range of buildings of different dates, denominations and construction materials and styles.

Gothic (and most especially Early English Gothic), was traditionally considered the most suitable style for church buildings since at least the 1840s and 50s, when the Gothic Revival (at this time undergoing a period of influence and inspiration by A.N.W. Pugin) was in full swing in England, up until the post-war years.

The three earliest surviving churches in the study area, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Trinity Lutheran Church and the Church of Christ, all in Doncaster, are representative of a simple Early English Gothic style.

More recent buildings are more diverse in style and include Whitefriars' Carmelite Monastery (now Whitefriars Park) in Donvale, which is reminiscent of a Romanesque basilica. The erection of a Greek Orthodox Church, St. Haralambos at Templestowe, is indicative of an ethnic influx to the area during the expansion of suburban development.

The remaining buildings include some basic timber structures, including the former Catholic Church in Brackenbury Street, Warrandyte and the Templestowe Arts Centre (the former Church of England), in Foote Street, Templestowe

Templestowe Uniting Church (former Presbyterian)

104 Atkinson Street (S side, W of Anderson Street),Templestowe (173.06)

A simple rectangular pavilion beautifully built of rough clinker bricks, further textured on the west wall by setting some forward. The north elevation has panels of brickwork rising to parapets between full-height windows with projecting fascias. There is a broad steel-framed verandah facing the view and extending as an entry canopy, all very carefully detailed. The east end is all glass. There is a freestanding cruciform section steel cross.

The earlier timber church stands on the east boundary. It is apparently the 1895/6 church built on land donated by Mrs John Smith for this purpose (1). It has a gable-roof with porch, centre front (south), with finials and timber rail gables. It has the obligatory pointed windows. An early post and wire fence beneath a row of pines separates the site from the commercial vegetable garden adjacent.

The architects were the office of Keith Reid. The foundation stone was laid on 17 March 1962. The late D. & I. Irvine were builders (2).

The internal layout of pews has been altered from facing·the long to the short axis (ie. to the south) and a crypt created under.

Comparable to a number of examples of the 1970s: Charles Duncan's houses, Graeme Gunn's Plumbers Union building; Clarke Hopkins and Clarke's two offices at Kew Junction, Robin Boyd's Menzies College at La Trobe & Pickin Court at Ormond College, University of Melbourne.

Of State significance as a particularly early and finely detailed neo-brutalist building by an architectural office that subsequently demonstrated a consistent approach to design in this manner in the municipality.

(1). Graham Keogh, The history of Doncaster and Templestowe, 1975, p.44; Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society, undated notes.

(2) Letter John Reid to Richard Peterson 28 February 1991; Foundation stone.

Catholic Church (former)

109 Brackenbury St. Warrandyte (155.07)

This former Catholic Church is a simple timber church with a gable roof. It has been converted into a house over the last few years, with substantial changes made to its interior spaces.

The church was built after the 1939 bushfires; in form it is comparable to the Gospel Chapel, St Stephens and the Mechanics Institute in Warrandyte.

Of local interest as a post-1939 community building, although now much altered.

St. Haralambos

SE cnr Church Road & Porter St. Templestowe  (173.34)

This Greek Orthodox church has a Romanesque basilican plan with a three-bay, barrel-vaulted porch and squat round-headed campaniles to the west front. The section is also basilican: a nave and two aisles, with a clerestory.  There are Romanesque windows, a narthex between the campaniles, all round¬ headed. There is a seven-light window on the west front and extremely slender double-light windows on the campaniles. All is rendered.

It was designed by Peter A. Damos Pty Ltd, a firm of South Melbourne architects, and built in 1990, by Damos with help from the Church community (1).

This is a characteristic modem Orthodox de¬ sign seen in numerous towns throughout mod¬ em Greece. It derives ultimately from Byzantine antecedents like Santa Fosca, Torcello (C12th) adapted to the basilican form. Other comparable churches include Melbourne Orthodox Churches such as Prahran, North Carl¬ ton and Essendon.

A landmark with local social significance in the lives of the eastern suburbs Greek com¬ munity.

(1) Father Elias,  pers. comm.; Peter A  Dannos, pers. comm.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church

792-800 Church Street, (SE cnr Church & Doncaster Rds), Doncaster (213.31a)

This simple Early English Gothic sandstone church with an attached belltower was built between 1867-69.

Church of England services began in 1853-54 in the home of the Pickerings (who had settled in the area in 1849) and were conducted by Canon C. J. Perks of St. Stephens Richmond.  On the 23rd June 1867 a government reserve was gazetted for the erection of a church and school.  In September a design was received from Charles Barrett, architect, of Kew, through the Rev. R. Hayward whose parish, Holy Trinity Kew was now responsible for Doncaster. The cost estimate was one thousand pounds, with seating for two hundred which was later reduced to one hundred to reduce costs. The stone was quarried further north down Church Road near Ruffey's Creek in a quarry owned by Mr Campbell of London. George Inch won the contract for the walls, of 100 pounds. The foundation stone was laid on 1st June 1868 by the Rt. Reverend Charles Perry, Bishop of Melbourne. It was opened on 29.3.1869.

In late 1885 a porch was added.  In September 1886 tenders were let for a timber chancel to Williams & Carson. By 11 June 1932 the design was completed, including the belltower. The memorial fence and gates were erected in 1946. The new nave was consecrated by Archbishop Frank Woods on 19 December 1971 to John Mockridge's design. R. J. Grills were the builders. The stone has always come from the same Quarry (1).

The church is built from local sandstone, set as coursed rubble, it has a gable slate roof and three bays. Each bay has a lancet pair and there are angled corner buttresses. The east end has a pointed segmental headed window of three lancets with stone mullions and a label mould under. At the south east corner is a belltower surmounted by a timber belfry, with a square candle-snuffer roof and cast¬ iron finial. This church has become the choir to a new nave. This has been skilfully and sympathetically related to the older building. It has an interesting exposed roof structure and glass side walls, between narrow mullions and a new three-lancet window at the west end, in a stone wall. There is a side meeting room and a courtyard garden.

There is a total of about twenty leadlight windows (many relocated) dating from between 1917 and 1932, then 1967 to 1977. These are invariably dedicated to local people. There is a small museum of memorabilia and historic documents.

The Church and the church buildings are intact and in good condition. The building needs repointing, (especially sills and buttresses) and other stone repairs.

All of the earlier churches in the City are Early English variants, and are comparable. The Church of Christ, Doncaster Road also has Voysey influence, and the Lutheran Church has a comparable belfry.

Of local significance as an unsophisticated design in local stone. The 1932 work shows some influence by C. F. A Voysey, and the English Arts & Crafts movement. The 1971 addition by John Mockridge is to his usual fine standard of design, done with great interest, sympathy and tact. Windows and other memorials are unimportant aesthetically, but are an important record of the history of the early Doncaster community. The church is of historical significance for its associations with the early settlement of the area.

(1) . Look, The Anglican Parish Paper for Holy Trinity. Doncaster. Vol. 12, No. 3, July-August 1985; "Historical Notes" panel on porch wall.

Holy Trinity Vicarage & Hall

792-800 Church St. Doncaster (213.31b)

An unusual, simple, Edwardian design of a rectangular plan with a gambrel slate roof, with terracotta cresting and finials. It has tall, roughcast chimneys, brickwork decoration and Art Nouveau-influenced decoration on the pots. There is an inset verandah to the left, at front. This has fine timber decoration of four centred (Tudor) arches, inscribed between the posts. The upper walls are roughcast, the lower are exposed red brick.

The vicarage was erected in 1909 and occupied by Rev & Mrs E. Holford Hennell on 17 January 1910. The hall was built in 1939.

An unusual late Edwardian house of local architectural significance as part of the Holy Trinity group (see above). It has interesting fine Tudor timber verandah arches.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 792-800 Church Street, Doncaster

Church of Christ (1)

680 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster (213.32)

The present church replaced a timber chapel, originally built for the Baptists and later moved across the road to the present site in 1863. By 1889 a brick church had been built (memorial stone 19 June 1889) and was extended in 1956/7 creating the present building (2).

The 1889 section is a simple, gable-roofed, Early English Gothic Church, with a slate roof with gable vents, in bichromatic dark brown and cream brick. The west front has three bays and the side elevations also have three bays. Each bay has a lancet window with render dressings and quasi-quoins. A render string-course mould continues over these, at their springing point. At the window half-height, is a double-course of cream bricks, with another band at dado height. The plinth is also cream brick. At sill level is a deep mould, in place of sills.

The central west bay has been brutally re¬ placed by a white rendered panel. It is unsympathetic in the extreme, as are the fence and planter, and the large rear extension (although this extension is much less visible).

The present church is an addition at the left. This is of red/blue brick in an almost Arts and Crafts domestic manner, it has terracotta tiles hung on a gambrel roof gable. Its domesticity could not be less at home in Doncaster Road. It has nine leadlight windows, including three very fine windows by the lithographer, Alan Sumner. One has eight panels of the Last Supper, over the symbols of the four apostles and the other two are tiny·and high over the sanctuary, of the Dove (the Holy Ghost) and the Lamb (Christ). It is worth gaining entry to see these alone.

This church is anachronistically deceptive in appearance. It is not from the 1920s, but the foundation stone was laid on 26 August 1956. Joseph Smith was architect and R. J. Grills builder. The Alan Sumner windows are dated 16 May 1974.

Traffic vibration could be a threat to this church. The white panel, planter (etc) detract from the significance of the church and should be removed.

The 1956 church compares with St Stephen's Darebin. All of the Doncaster Churches are Early English Gothic variants. The Shire Hall has decorative similarities in bichromacy.

Both churches have local significance, spoiled by the offending alterations, and is part of a group with the former Shire Hall and the Doncaster School.

Church of Christ, 680 Doncaster Road, Doncaster

(1) Dot Marshall, Doncaster Church of Christ, pers. comm.

(2) Graham Keogh, The history of Doncaster and Templestowe, 1975, p.44

Templestowe Arts Centre (fmr Church of England)

Foote St. (cnr Hovea), Templestowe (173.38)

The first Anglican church in Templestowe was a small wooden chapel in High Street built in 1867. It was replaced by this church (Christ Church) in 1900 (1). The church closed in 1974 and is now used as the Templestowe Arts Centre.

It is a simple timber gable-roofed church with pointed leadlight windows and a porch. The upper gable is decorated with timber rails.

Although there have been some minor modifications and additions at the rear, the building is in good condition.

Of local interest.

(1) Graham Keogh, The history of Doncaster and Templestowe, 1975 p 45.

St Anne's Chapel

Knees Road, Park Orchards (195.14)

A single-storey, gable-roofed building, timber framed and externally clad with cement sheet. There is an entry portico and rear exit door.

The 1930s building was originally a World War II Army Chapel from Camp Pell. It was transported to St. Kevin's site in Herlihys Road after the War (date not known), and then to Knees Road in either 1968 or 1970 (1).

Camp Pel (Royal Park) was used as an army camp during World War II, the acute post war housing shortage meant many people were homeless and the government proposed to use army huts as temporary housing. 

The Housing Commission was consulted, and two such camps were used, one at Williamstown and later Camp Pell in Royal Park. The latter remained for ten years, housing many larger families evicted from inner city housing (2); it was demolished in 1956 as part of the 'improvements' being made for the Melbourne Olympics.

Of local social and historical significance for its associations with Camp Pell (at least during its role as an army camp) and subsequent associations with two parishes. It is not known how many buildings survive from Camp Pell.

(1) Irvine Green Doncaster & Templestowe: a short history, 1981: Irvine Green & Beatty Beavis Park Orchards: a short history, 1983.

(2) Renata Howe (ed.) New houses for old·fifty years of public housing in Victoria 1938-1988. Ministry of Housing and Construction, Melbourne, 1988,pp.64, 8

St Clements Church

84 Manningham Road, Bulleen (192.10)

A large fan-shaped plan of clinker-brick and exposed render structure, in a brutalist manner. There is a low-pitched fragmented hip-roof, with cement tray and roll tiles, and much lurid coloured glass. There is a large bronze crucifix and stations of the cross. A wide narthex and side chapel adjoin.

The church was designed by ubiquitous Catholic Church architects Smith and Tracy and dedicated to those who died in defence of their country. It was consecrated by the Most Reverend James R. Fox, Archbishop of Melbourne, 16 July 1972.4

Comparable to St Anne's Park Orchards and St Gerard's Warrandyte. Other Catholic churches by Smith & Tracy in Melbourne's outer suburbs.

Of local significance as a typical product by the Catholic church architects, Smith & Tracy of 1972. A dominant landmark and community focus in Bulleen.

(1) September 1984, p.44.; Bronze plaque in narthex; Presbytery.

"Whitefriars" Carmelite Monastery (now Whitefriars Park)

Park Road (NE cnr Heads Rd), Donvale (215.3)

The first Carmelites to arrive in Australia were lay Associates of the Order, James Dempsey and John Butler. They came as convicts to Sydney in 1802, transported for their part in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

In. 1881 five Carmelites from Dublin, led by Prior Joseph Butlet founded a community in Gawler, then in Sandridge. In 1937, their successors decided to build a monastery outside the city for training priests and brothers, led by Father Paul Cleary. The 115 acre property Cleary bought had been a sanatorium, destroyed by fire.

The first priests arrived in late 1937. The bush was cleared for farmland; pastures, pigs, vegetables & fruit trees.

Tom Payne was the architect of this salmon¬coloured brick monastery complex, in the form of a Romanesque basilica. He later designed the chapel at Newman College. The design won an architectural award for special purpose buildings.

"Whitefriars" crossing tower has three tall lancets on each side. These have curious con¬ cave shouldered heads. The north entrance has complex sandstone receding mouldings, probably American Romanesque influenced. There is a grape and vine motif on the architrave and studs on vertical ribs on the timber doors. There are two papal seals above, with a virgin and child in between. All are carved in stone. Beside the north aisle is an arcade with carved sandstone Romanesque columns with impost blocks, under capitals. There are good small copper bracket lamps.

The drive is lined with agapanthus and pines. The vehicular and pedestrian gates are important (presumably dating from the sanatorium). The gate-posts are large dressed bluestone blocks, with classical mouldings and coursing, and fine wrought iron gates.

In 1961 Whitefriars College relocated else¬ where on the site. The Whitefriars buildings are now used for seminars, courses and conferences. The Carmelites still live in the community (1).

Comparable to St Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church.

Of regional architectural significance as an early design of Tom Payne architect; Payne went on to design the chapel at Newman College. Locally significance as an important landmark in the district. There are fine vehicular and pedestrian gates and bluestone posts remaining from the earlier institution.

(1) Whitefriars Park brochure

Donvale Arts Centre (former St. Johns Church)

Springvale Road, Donvale (214.22)

There are two buildings on this site, on the east side of Springvale Road near Garden Road. The Church, built in 1907, is a single¬ storey timber building. The Hall, a larger two storey timber building, was built in 1914.

The complex was sold in 1976 to the City of Doncaster & Templestowe, and the windows were removed to St David's Anglican Church in Doncaster Road.

Plantings around the church include Oaks and Cypresses; this section of Springvale Road has also been identified in this study as being of special value (214.16).

Of local interest as a community building with a continuing community function.

St Stephens Anglican Church

Stiggant St., Warrandyte (155.6)

St Stephens was built in 1939 to replace the earlier church. It was the third Anglican church on this site in Warrandyte, with the first being built in 1870, replaced by a larger building in 1906 which was destroyed in the 1939 bushfires (1). The 1939 church was designed by architect Louis Williams as a modular building to enable future extension. The 1991 extension is by architect Jock McNeish, with David Hobday as builder (2).

St Stephens is a simple timber church with vestry and porch forming extensions from the main gable roof.  The grounds are enclosed by a crimp-wire fence. A hipped roof addition and incompatible windows have changed the appearance of the building

Of local significance as a post-1939 community building, providing evidence of the impact of the fires and the tremendous community endeavours to rebuild the town.

(1) Graham Keogh, The history of Doncaster and Templestowe, 1975, p.45

(2) Bruce Bence, pers. comm. and undated notes

Warrandyte Uniting Church 

Taroona Avenue (NW cnr West End Road), Warrandyte (175.19)

A simple, low pitch, triangular plan church, with a cement Marseilles tile, low pitched hip-roof and walls of concrete block. It has a striking triangular copper spire which is very tall and slender. The building is carefully and sensitively detailed. The altar is set against a wall which slices across the triangle, creating a triangular outdoor seating space sheltered by an enormous cantilevered canopy. There are highlight windows and deep sloping eaves. Timber window joinery is stained black. There are water spouts in place of downpipes. A recent rectangular plan gable addition, butts into the north elevation. It has a corrugated steel roof and effectively cuts out north light and shatters the geometry.

The Presbyterian church in Warrandyte was formed in 1923, and their first building was on the site of the present Gospel Chapel inYarra Street (1). In the late 1950s Hipwell, Weight and Mason designed the first church, using halls from the old Box Hill Presbyterian Church, (including a chapel and stained glass windows). All was destroyed in the January 1962 bushfires. John Hipwell designed a new church in association with Albert Ross, which was completed in 1963. (Charles Weight and Peter Mason had died). Hipwell designed the spire and the internal fittings and furniture; Ross the rest of the building (Ross retired in 1979) (2). The builder was Alex Edwards, a local (3).

Hipwell also designed the kindergarten opposite and a church in Loch, Gippsland which is unaltered. He was an elder of the church. The spire is copper clad over a TV antenna. The whole has a Japanese influence, presumably via Robin Boyd. The addition was designed by the drafting firm, D. J. & D. C. Building Design of Monbulk, without consulting the architects and built by Chapman Gardner builders.

This kind of simple geometric church owes much to Christopher Wren's London City churches. It's plan, is similar to St Mary's Abchurch (1681-6) and its spire is like that of St Michael's, Queenhithe (c1676-87, now demolished), St Benet's, Gracechurch Street and St Margaret's, Lothbury. Architecturally, this building can be compared to (for example) the Presbyterian Church at Loch, the Templestowe Uniting Church (1962), and Robin Boyd's work, especially Tower Hill.

Of State significance. A very sensitively designed and detailed small church in a bushland setting. Designed by John Hipwell and Albert Ross in 1963. The spire is particularly fine and the work recalls Wren's London City churches in quite a different context. The addition does detract from the significance.

(1) Church archives.

(2) John B. Hipwell 18.4.91 pers. comm.; Architects' Registration Board, re: Albert Ross: John Chapman, Chapman Gardner Builders, pers. comm.; Secretary and Minister, pers. comm.

(3) Bruce Bence, pers. comm

Warrandyte Uniting Church, Taroona Avenue, Warrandyte

Trinity Lutheran Church (1)

53 Victoria St. Doncaster (193.17a)

This church was constructed in 1892, thirty¬ nine years after the church was founded in 1853-54.

This is a rare church designed by the architect John A. B. Koch. (he did alterations to the German Lutheran Church, Parliament Place, East Melbourne, and designed its manse in 1890). Koch was asked to submit plans for the manse, and it is said to have been built to his design (2); it is quite different in style to that at East Melbourne.

The church is a red brick building, with rendered dressings and mouldings and a slate roof. There are three bays on the ''west" front, with lancets and a wheel window above. It is five bays deep. The bays are separated by buttresses between lancers. There is a whimsical belfry in timber. It has scale slates on the lower section and a cast-iron finial. The roof is a candle-snuffer. There are cast¬ iron wall-vents at mid-wall and skirting height in every bay. There is a brick hall respectfully behind on the main axis, and two palms to complete · the symmetrical composition.

The pair of mature palms are Canary Island Palms (Phoenix canariensis), with Box hedge surrounds. The palms were planted c1916 to replace two trees (given by von Mueller) that failed to thrive. These palms are of great religious significance as palm fronds were carried by the crowd when they went to meet Jesus (John 12:13).

Comparable to Doncaster Holy Trinity and Doncaster Church of Christ. The belfrys at Holy Trinity and the Lutheran are comparable. Also the Shire Hall. The German Lutheran church and manse, Parliament Place.

Both the Church and Manse appear substantially intact and in excellent condition.

Of State significance as rare church design by the great domestic, commercial and public building architect J A B Koch. One of the few nineteenth century public buildings in Doncaster and particularly intact. The palms add to the significance of the setting.

(1) National Trust of Australia (Victoria) file No. 5956: Trinity Lutheran Church: Past Waldau and into the future, undated booklet produced by the church.

(2) Delma Haack, Trinity Lutheran Church, pers comm.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 53 Victoria Street, Doncaster

Trinity Lutheran Church Manse

53 Victoria Street, Doncaster (193.17b)

The triple fronted Edwardian red brick manse, probably dating from 1909 (1), has a gambrel corrugated iron roof, with gable¬ bays projecting at the left rear and right front. These have detached timbering to the upper gables, supported on elegant scroll brackets, with pendant barges, decorated with chrysanthemum motif fretwork. The roof has terracotta cresting and finials. The chimneys have brick decoration. The main roof sails over to cover the verandah, around the angle. It has turned timber posts and catenary curve and rail valance. There is a side entry facing the church, which has a Gothic flywire door, a witty touch.

A more recent hall is located at the rear of the church, on the axis.

The manse was apparently designed by Koch, designer of the church (2), but his practice collapsed very soon afterwards (before World War I).

Architecturally, this building can be compared to (for example) Holy Trinity Vicarage, Church Road; 18 Yarra Street Warrandyte.

Both the Church and Manse appear substantially intact and in excellent condition.

An Edwardian red brick manse of local architectural significance as one of a pair of buildings designed by J.A.B. Koch.

(1) Irvine Green, pers comm.

(2) Delma Haack, Trinity Lutheran Church, pers comm.

Gospel Chapel

103 Yarra St. Warrandyte (155.08)

The Gospel Chapel was built after the second World War (c.1950) on the site of the Presbyterian Church burnt in the 1939 fires. It reflects in its simplicity of form (L-shaped) and materials (asbestos cement) the continuing shortages during and after the war. Decorative features include the Early English Gothic windows and belfry.

Of local interest as a feature within the centre of the township.

Theme 6.03 Schools

The City of Doncaster & Templestowe has representative examples of three of the standard single-room school types developed by the newly-created Education Department in 1873, and one slightly later type. Doncaster East Primary School is a standard 60-type timber school, the one at Warrandyte is a sandstone 80-type and the one at Templestowe a brick 100-type.  The Doncaster School on Doncaster Road is the rarer, more complex 80-type school, first developed at Newstead in 1877.

An early denominational school is Schramm's cottage which was built as a house and Lutheran school by Max· von Schramm in 1875 (see Theme 7.03 Victorian Houses).

Warrandyte High School is an example of the Department's enlightened patronage of private architectural firms in the 1970s.

Warrandyte Primary School (School No.12)

42-52 Brackenbury St. Warrandyte (155.14)

Warrandyte's first school (c.1856) was a Church of England school, soon closed owing to a lack of pupils as Warrandyte's diggings were deserted for more promising places. Schooling recommenced in 1863 in the court house while the first Andersons Creek School No. 12 was being built on a site in Yarra Street. This school was opened in 1875. The name changed to Warrandyte Primary School in 1908 (1).

This school was completed on 20 July 1875, under the direction of Chief Architect, H. R. Bastow, by the builder William Bolger of Collingwood, at a cost of 543.9.0 pounds. The stonemasons were William Masterton and James Sloan. The stone was quarried in the valley behind the school by the builder. In 1903 the timber shingled roof (2). was covered with iron and the gable vents removed. In 1925, a rendered brick classroom with a porch was added, gable-end windows were enlarged, metal roof vents, a stove and a screen were added, the galleries removed and a timber shelter shed built.

The 1875 school has brick quoins around the windows, and stone window sills. It is constructed of ashlar sandstone with a gable roof. It is a characteristic 80-type single room school, altered by the removal of the galleries and finials, the addition of a rendered brick classroom, porch and roof vents, and the enlargement of the gable-end windows. The porch has some architectural pretensions, influenced by English Baroque through Sir John Vanbrugh.

The porch has three bays, the central bay rising as a gable, a strong cornice line with the central entrance bay, decorated with ruled courses and pilaster strips. There is a timber shelter shed.

Some comparisons are Templestowe Primary School (173.07) and Doncaster East Primary School (194.23).

Of local significance as the earliest school remaining in the municipality, with particular importance for the Warrandyte community, and of interest for the use of local sandstone and the demonstration of considerable stonecraft skills in its construction.

(1) Warrandyte School No 12 Centenary 1875-1975 Souvenir program.

(2) Bruce Bence, pers comm.

Warrandyte Primary School, 42-52 Brackenbury Street, Warrandyte

Doncaster School (School No 197)

679 Doncaster Rd. Doncaster (213.17)

The first local school was held in the Doncaster Lutheran Church (on Waldau Hill, Victoria Street) in 1861.

Max von Schramm was the first head teacher at the school. In 1864 a stone school was built on the Doncaster Hill. The building was occupied by the ES&A Bank after 1890 but has since been demolished (1).

After 1873 it became a State School under the new Education Act; the new regulations abolished religious instruction.  Schramm resigned in response and set up his own school next door, but his school closed in 1884 (2). His building, now known as Schramms Cottage and relocated on Waldau Hill is now operated by the historical society as a museum (see Theme 7.03, site no. 193.18).

Around 1886 a new school was built to replace a timber school located to the east of the site. The land was purchased from Richard Serpell.

It is an 80-type single room school of dark brown brick in the relatively rare 'Glen Waverley type'; this school type was developed from the standard 80 type, and referred to as the Glen Waverley type, although it was first used at Newstead in 1877. It has a slate jerkin-head roof with wrought iron finials and gable vents over pairs of tall pointed segmental-headed windows. There are string courses and cornice bands. A higher gable roofed wing makes the head of a T-plan. The roof cantilevers forward on timber brackets and the upper section is furnished with a finial. The roof vents have been added later and the galleries removed. This elevation is three bays, the central bay projects with a large pointed segmental head window containing a segmental head pair and single highlight.

It can be compared to Warrandyte Primary (155.14), Doncaster East Primary (194.23), Templestowe Primary (173.07) and Glen Waverley Primary School.

Of regional significance as a relatively intact and rare Glen Waverley type school. It is of historical importance as an early school within the locality and for its associations with Schramm and the Lutheran settlers. It is also an important landmark on a prominent site, and is part of a group with the Church of Christ and former Shire Hall.

(1) The stone building had a timber facade added later; see Graham Keogh, The history of Doncaster and Templestowe, 1975, photograph p.59.

(2) 'State School had humble beginning' The Mirror. 22 February 1967, p.8.

Templestowe Primary School (School No. 1395)

Foote St, Templestowe (173.07)

Built around 1874, this is a characteristic 100- type, standard plan Education Department single room school. The semi-detached, single fronted school was built in red/brown English bond brickwork, on a local sandstone plinth and stone sills. The gable roof has had ventilation installed, the gable end windows have been enlarged, as usual, and the galleries removed. A later hat and cloak room has also been removed.

Few 100-type schools were built and only a small number are thought to be extant in Victoria. Although surrounded by new buildings, some of which are attached to the school, it remains in good condition (1).

Can be compared to Warrandyte Primary School (155.14), Doncaster East Primary School (194.23) and Doncaster Primary School (213.17).

Of regional significance as one of few extant examples of this school type to remain.

(1) Blake: Peterson: Laurence Burchell Victorian schools: a study jn colonial government architecture 1837-1900, 1980, pp. 112, 118

Templestowe Primary School, Foote Street, Templestowe

Doncaster East Primary School (School No 2096)

Cnr. George St & Blackburn Rd. Doncaster East (194.23)

The first State School No. 2096 was opened as the Deep Creek school in 1878; it comprised a single classroom, with attached residence. The school building was moved in 1886 to its present site, far closer to the population the school aimed to serve.

Under Mr R Hobbs as Head Teacher the school was extended in 1919, the residence converted into a classroom and other rooms added. Community activities became a feature of school life; one was the planting of an Avenue of Honour in Blackburn Road, some of which remains today (see 194.29) (1).

The school is a standard Education Department gable-roofed 60 type classroom. It has had the porches, galleries and the gable end windows replaced, although later than usual, in the Percy Everett period. Another sympathetic wing has also been added.

Can be compared to Warrandyte South Primary School (195.12) and Templestowe Primary School (173.07).

Of local significance as an early school within the locality.

(1) Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society Newsletter, May 1973; Back to School- East Doncaster Primary School, booklet, May 1973.

Warrandyte South Primary School (School No. 3476)

Hall Rd. Warrandyte South (195.12)

Originally built in 1906 (as the Parson's Gully school), this later building is a typical small timber school designed when Percy Everett was Chief Architect.

It was built after the 1939 fires which destroyed all the public buildings in South Warrandyte (1).

It is in good condition, although there have been some additions. It has a hipped roof. There are horizontal glazing bars in the windows, which are at least triples.

The memorial gates, erected 1951, are dedicated to the memory of the Hon. W. H. Everard.

Of local significance as the local school serving many generations, and as a demonstration of the rebuilding of Warrandyte after the 1939 bushfires.

(1) Louis R. Cranfield The golden history of Warrandyte. 1982., p122.

Ringwood North Primary School (School No. 4120)

172 - 180 Oban Rd. Ringwood  North (215.10)

A typical 1920s timber school building, with several subsequent additions.

No information has been located on the history of the school.

Of local interest. Further assessment may be desirable.

Warrandyte Kindergarten

Taroona Avenue, Warrandyte (175.9)

A simple gable roofed stained timber Kindergarten designed by John Hipwell and built about 1957 (1). The roof extends as a verandah.

It can be compared to the Uniting Church (Warrandyte) also by John Hipwell.

Of local significance. A simple public building sympathetic to its bush environment and to the nearby Uniting Church by the same architect.

(1) Veronica Pedersen Co-director, Warrandyte & District Pre-School Association, correspondence 24.6.1991 states it was built in 1957.

Warrandyte High School

Warrandyte Road (NE cnr Alexander Road) Warrandyte (174.22)

A pale orange speckled brick school complex. It has a complex plan and generally low pitched and flat steel deck roofs. There are however, numerous spectacular prismatic roof lights, giving the effect of a flotilla of yachts across a silver sea.   Their shape is semi-pyramidal. The timber joinery is mission brown with buff sashes, and the steel framework is pale orange and light grey with diagonal slatted screens. There are clumpy native plantings, paving of asphalt and Lilydale toppings, with river pebbles set in concrete. It is sympathetically placed on its site.

It was designed in 1984-5 by Clarke Hopkins & Clarke Pty Ltd, the local firm of architects (Refer: 684 Doncaster Road), and built by Ian Delbridge Pty Ltd of Lilydale (1).

It can be compared to Charles Hopkins & Clarke’s own offices, Doncaster Road.

Of local significance. A well designed high school, sympathetically placed on its site. The spectacular skylights are an interesting design element.

(1) “Architect”, September 1984, p.17.

Theme 6.04 Local Commerce & Inductry

With the exception of gold mining at Warrandyte, the City of Doncaster  & Templestowe is significant for its agricultural (orcharding) developments, rather than for industry.

Remnants of the early service industries which existed to serve the communities in the area include the bakery and butchers shops in Yarra Street, Warrandyte, and two former blacksmiths buildings (one in Tills Drive, Warrandyte, and the other - now a motor garage - on the comer of Anderson and James Streets in Templestowe). The former Selby Store (now the Stonehouse Craft Shop) is described in Theme 7.07 Warrandyte Stone).

There are a number of quarry sites remaining, although only one still operates.

Two quarry sites remain within the Ruffey Creek Municipal Gardens, two within Warrandyte State Park (Whipstick Gully), and one in Husseys Lane, Warrandyte. The present quarry is Kents Quarry in Warrandyte Road.

More recent industrial developments are exemplified by the brickworks at Bulleen and the sheds of the Australian Slate Company in Balwyn North.

The development of a craft industry in Warrandyte, typified by shops such as "Folkart", (the former Wine Saloon), and the Rivergum Art Gallery on Yarra Street is also significant (see 'Artists' Theme 8.01). It is also linked to tourism, which has a long history in the Warrandyte area.

Motor Garage (former Blacksmiths) 

Anderson Street (cnr James Street), Templestowe (173.49)

Formerly Mullens Blacksmith, now a Motor Body Builder. William Hunter established a blacksmith's shop on the comer of James and Anderson Streets in 1878. In 1892 he put Sylvester Mullens in charge of the shop, and eight years later Mullens took over the business; it was to remain in the Mullens family until 1970 when Jack Mullens (Sylvester's oldest son, who started working in the business in 1907) retired as a blacksmith (1).

The blacksmith's shop was originally in a timber building (2), although the timber building on the site today is probably only one section of the original. The brick buildings, with a petrol pump outside, were constructed in 1927 to serve the growing motor vehicle trade.

The brick building is externally intact, retaining its timber doors, often a fitting changed in building modifications.

Of regional significance as a rare remaining example of a blacksmiths and later motor: vehicle shop with a remarkable continuity of as¬ sociation with the Mullens family.

(1) 'Hunter and Mullens Blacksmiths Shop' Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society Newsletter. 5 (1) Aug. 1971

(2) Graham Keogh, The history of Doncaster and Templestowe, 1975, p. 54 photograph.

Motor Garage (former blacksmith's shop), Anderson Street, Templestowe

Shed (Australian Slate Co.)

402 Doncaster Rd. Balwyn North (212.2)

This building was built for the Morning Star Foundry in the 1920s, on the site of the Morning Star Hotel. Nothing further is known of its history.

It is a large shed with central gable and clerestory. Sections of the lower frame of the shed are filled with concrete pise, and some of the vertical timber frame has been replaced with concrete. The single-storey shed, under threat from deterioration, has been altered and is in fair condition.

Of local interest as industrial building, unusual within the municipality, in a highly visible location. Further research is required to establish its significance.

Clarke Hopkins & Clarke Offices

684 Doncaster Road, Doncaster (213.38)

A simple skillion roofed brick office of a domestic scale. The brickwork is bagged and painted. The roof is sawtooth in section with a clerestory. It is set in a bush garden which softens the pedestrian underpass intrusion.

Clarke Hopkins & Clarke Pty Ltd moved from offices at Kew Junction in High Street to this building which they designed for their own use. W. F. R. Wood of Koorool Construction Pty Ltd, Canterbury Road Surrey Hills was the builder. Construction work started on the building in November 1977 and was completed in July 1978 (1).

A characteristic office by this sound designing firm of local architectural significance. Its quiet good manners seem quite out of place in Doncaster Road of the 1990s.

(1) . David Hopkins, pers. comm. 26.4.91: Archjtect. August 1979, p.10.

Quarry

Husseys Lane, Wanandyte (175.27)

This quarry was operated in Husseys Lane for both stone and gravel at different periods, and as a gravel quarry in the 1930s. Two men were killed when part of the quarry collapsed, and that section of the quarry was then closed. The Warrandyte community rallied around and built houses for the families of the victims.

Of local interest as an aspect of Warrandyte's social history associated with quarrying.

Quarry, Whipstick Gully, Warrandyte State Park

Gun Factory

6-8 Naughton Ave. (cnr Hutchinson Ave.) Warrandyte (155.26)

Merv Naughton established a business manufacturing high quality rifles for export and local use from a building at the rear of his house in Hutchinson Avenue.

 During World War II Merv Naughton went to work at the munitions factory at Maribymong making anti-aircraft guns; after the war he worked for Alcock and Pierce, and old established Melbourne gunsmith firm.

He started to build his home at Warrandyte at around the same time, and then started converting surplus army rifles to sporting rifles. He went on to manufacture a rifle which he developed to his own design and marketed under the name "Fieldman Naughton". Over time he developed other models of the Fieldman. Another project was designing a rifle for the Forests Commission to fire incendiary projectiles for use during fuel reduction burns.

His works - the building and the machinery - were virtually all designed and built by him. At one time he is believed to have been the only manufacturer of firearms in Australia (1).

It has not been possible to inspect his factory during the study, but it is believed to be relatively intact. This requires further investigation.

Of (at least) local significance as evidence of an unusual and successful manufacturing enterprise that expressed the creativity and skills of one man.

(1) Bruce Bence, undated notes

Mine shaft

McIntyre Road, Park Orchards (195.21)

The shaft remains of a mine dating from around the 1890s that was apparently used to produce quartz for aerated water, but may have earlier been a gold mine. Little other information is known about the site, and it has not been inspected during this study.

The land apparently belongs to AMEY Insurance Company.

Of local interest. Requires further investigation and research.

Brickworks (Boral)

Templestowe Rd. Bulleen (172.7)

This brickworks was built in the 1950s using kiln technology that dates from the 19th century.

The two characteristic oval plan Hoffman brick kilns with battered lower walls, seven bays long, each with high brick circular section chimney are the main feature of the site. The kilns, which are gas fired, have particularly large wicket gates, built to accommodate forklifts.

It could be compared to the Hoffman kilns at the former Box Hill brickworks site and at the Clifton Bricks site in Brunswick; however both of these sites are far earlier.

Of local interest as a landmark.

Blacksmiths building (portable)

Tills Drive, Warrandyte (155.47)

This small timber building, now owned by the Warrandyte Historical Society, is an interesting example of a mobile building.

It is a timber framed building, externally clad in corrugated iron and weatherboards, and internally lined with fibrous plaster sheet (and currently filled with hay). The building is mounted on an axle and set of wheels.

This building was occupied by one of the Sloan family who operated as a blacksmith; it was previously located behind the butchers shop in Yarra Street.

Of (at least) local interest. Requires further research, dating and comparison.

Quarries:  Whipstick Gully

Warrandyte State Park, Warrandyte (155.50)

There are two quarries in Whipstick Gully; one, Fullars Quarry, is very large and dramatically reveals the stone stratum.

Stone from Whipstick Gully was quarried for a number of local buildings including the former Selby Store, Violet Hawkes' cottage and many other Warrandyte buildings.

These quarries are of local significance as the source of stone for many Warrandyte buildings.

Shop & Residence

38 Yarra St, Warrandyte (155.18)

This double-fronted, Californian Bungalow shop and residence has undecorated major and minor gables facing the street, and on the right-hand side a skillion extension. This is clad with a timber lattice and balustrade (contemporary with the building), and the minor gable contains the shopfront.

The building dates from the 1920s, appears externally intact and is in excellent condition.

Of local significance as a remarkably intact ensemble of house and shop dating from the 1920s.

Shop & residence, 38 Yarra Street, Warrandyte

Butcher's shop

158 Yarra St. Warrandyte (155.17)

This butchers shop is said to be originally two buildings which have since been internally amalgamated into a single shop.

Each is a gable-roofed building, together forming a double gabled form; a hoarding on the street facade covers both gables. The building appears to have been reboarded in recent years and the verandah replaced.

The western section of the building is said to have been brought from Kangaroo Ground, and has been a butcher's shop since the early 1900s. At that time the other shop was a haberdashery. The shop is certainly present in many c1900s photographs of the Warrandyte township.

The Sloan family have a long association with the shop. As a boy John (Jack) Sloan worked in the shop in the early 1900s when it was operated by his uncle Bill Sloan. Animals were held in yards on the comer of Webb and Brackenbury Streets before being slaughtered for the shop. Frank Sloan worked there in the 1930s Depression when the shop was operated by Dick Spetts, purchasing the premises himself in 1942 (1)

The building is said to retain bush poles in the roof framing, and shingles covered by the iron roof.

Of local significance as an early element of the Warrandyte township, and for its remarkable continuity of use and the retention of its early form for at least 80 years

(1) Information supplied by Warrandyte Historical Society.

Butcher's shop, 158 Yarra Street, Warrandyte, 1990

Bakery (now "The Bakery")

Yarra St. Warrandyte (155.16)

A simple brick building with a gable roof across the site, and a skillion rear extension. The brick bakery section contains a wood¬ fired oven manufactured by Small & Shattell, Bakery Engineers of Melbourne; this oven is still used today.

The bakery was probably built in around 1880/90. It is known that the site was first purchased from the Crown in 1921 by I. Tresize, presumed to be the wife of Frank Tresize the proprietor of the Grand Hotel. It is thought it may have been held under a miner's right prior to this date. Lillian Whitehead (nee McAuley) was born in the residence next to the bakery in 1910, and recalls the bakery from her early childhood (1).

Jim and Ida Walsh purchased the bakery and residence from the Tresize family in 1928, and operated the bakery until 1951. It was then leased to Mr Laity who ran the business for many years until selling out to Granny Davis Bakeries; it later became a leather shop and then a wood stove shop. The Walsh's lived in the adjoining building (now Rivergum Art Gallery) (2).

Re-establishing The Bakery as a local business has been a community effort involving the assistance of honorary architects Peter Staughton and Jock McNeish, John Chapman honorary building supervisor, Ron Fletcher baker, and financial support from the owner Audrey Drechsler (daughter of Ida and Jim Walsh), and assistance from many others.

Of local significance as an early bakery that has been almost continuously in operation for around 90-100 years. Local bakeries are a feature of many country towns, but it is not known how many survive on the metropolitan fringes.

(1) Press release for “Yeasty history” article in Warrandyte Diary March 1989.

(2) “Yeasty history to bakery” Warrandyte Diary, No 197, March 1989.

Shop (now Rivergum Art Gallery)

189 Yarra St. Warrandyte (155.36)

Located between ''The Bakery" and Mc¬ Dougall Real Estate Agents, this shop and residence is timber with a gable facing, and two gable wings projecting on the right-hand side.

It was originally a residence associated with the bakery; the date of its conversion to a shop is not known.

Of local interest as an older element within the centre of the Warrandyte township.

Shop (Peter McDougall Real Estate)

Yarra St. Warrandyte (155.22)

A simple timber building with a gable roof facing the street. The shop has recently been unsympathetically refronted in fake bluestone cladding.

No information has been located on the history of the building.

Of local interest as an older element within the centre of the Warrandyte township, but with an inappropriate facade treatment that detracts from the quality of the main street.

Warrandyte Dairy

Yarra St. Warrandyte (155.21)

The Dairy or coolroom, has concrete block walls and an cement sheet corrugated roof.

The house on this site, now demolished, had a timber frame with cement sheet cladding and a corrugated cement sheet roof.

Of local interest as an element remaining that demonstrates Warrandyte's former isolation despite its closeness to Melbourne.

Theme 6.05 Hotels

Hotels were generally built on prominent sites on main roads, either at a major junction or within a township where there was a requirement for refreshment and accommodation.

Of the three buildings included in this section, the two on the main road in Warrandyte (the former Wine Saloon - now the Folkart Shop - and the Grand Hotel) are the most imposing, being two-storey structures with balconies and verandahs. The Grand Hotel is particularly substantial and the only one to be constructed of solid walling materials (brick).

The Warrandyte location of these two buildings is significant and bears relation to the early development of tourism in this area (this in turn has some connection with the art and craft associations of the township (see Theme 8.01 on 'Artists').

Templestowe Hotel

23 - 29 Parker St. Templestowe (173.27)

Built c.1868 this detached, single-storey building was previously known as Sheahans Pub. It was the second hotel to be constructed in the surveyed township of Templestowe, the first being David Bell's "The Bulleen" or "The Upper Yarra" in 1854 (which burnt down in 1870) (1).

It is a symmetrical timber, corrugated iron gable roofed hotel with a skillion verandah set between two projecting gables. The gables have simple timber decoration. The hotel was presumably built in sections and has been greatly altered. It is said that part of the original building was preserved when the hotel was remodelled and extended in 1964.

It is similar in form to the Grand Hotel, Warrandyte.

The hotel is believed to have been built about two years prior to its purchase by Patrick Sheahan in 1870/1 (2). Sheahan ran the hotel until his death in 1916, and his wife after him until her death in 1931.

Of local significance as an early timber hotel, in form and materials retaining much of the characteristics of an 1870s country hotel, and one of only a few examples remaining within the metropolitan area; its significance is reduced to local by the extent of the changes to the building.

(1) Irvine Green, Templestowe: a short history, p.9.

(2)  Graham Keogh, The history of Doncaster and Templestowe, 1975, p9

Templestowe Hotel, 23-29 Parker Street, Templestowe

(Former) Wine Hall

Yarra St. Warrandyte (155.25)

Established by Kruse cl890 as a wine saloon (1), this building bas been landmark in the town for a century.

The Wine Hall and cellar was built in 1898, catering to friends of the proprietor and later to tourists. Kruse sold to Robertson in 1921, and in 1924 Mrs Robertson surrendered the licence and converted the ground floor into a sweet shop with adjacent tea rooms; as Gilholm's Store it was a well known local landmark. It is now the Folk Art Shop.

It is a two storey Italianate building, symmetrical and double-fronted in form with a hipped-roof. The convex roofed, first floor verandah, returns on the left-hand side. The verandah has a timber rail valance and balustrade, with a serrated valance at ground floor level, and intact ogee spouting. Although in good condition overall, the ground level front has been unsympathetically replaced with a shopfront. There is significant stonework along the roadside.

Architecturally, this building can be compared to (for example) the Grand Hotel.

The Wine Hall is probably of regional significance as an extant and relatively intact example of an 1890s wine hall, and of local significance for its landmark and social value within the township of Warrandyte

(1) Edward Rotherham, All over bar the shouting·history of Warrandyte's licensed premises. Warrandyte Historical Society, 1979.

Wine Hall (former), Yarra Street, Warrandyte

Grand Hotel

Yarra St. Warrandyte (155.19)

The Grand Hotel was constructed in 1895-6, replacing the Andersons Creek Hotel (on the same site). It was owned by Francis Tresize in 1908, and the hotel continued in the family until the 1960s (1).

A much altered building, this double-storied, hip-roofed, six-bay hotel building is a major landmark in the Warrandyte township. The timber double-storey verandah has a hip-roof, with gables facing over the end bays.  The roof has Marseilles terracotta tiles, the far chimneys have decorative brick string courses and terracotta pots, and the verandah has a cast-iron lace valance.

Larger Victorian hotels usually incorporated at least two separate 'bars' or rooms for drinking in, each affording a different level of comfort and/or privacy. The ground floor interior of the Warrandyte Hotel remains largely unaltered in its plan form, with a central corridor flanked by a public bar and a lounge bar. The lounge bar retains an original or early bar counter and fittings.

The hotel was altered in the 1960s, with the enclosing of the ground floor verandah, construction of a drive-in bottle sales area and extensions to the rear.

The hotel can be compared to Healesville "Grand" Hotel, and the Home Hotel (Launching Place) and the Wine Hall.

Of local significance as an example of a grand 19th century hotel retaining its internal plan, its external form and much of its character; the retention of the early bar is a rare and valuable survival and requires further evaluation of its significance.

(1) Edward Rotherham, All over bar the shouting: history of Warrandvte's licensed premises. Warrandyte Historical Society. 1979.

Theme 6.06 Community Halls

Templestowe Memorial Hall

Anderson St. Templestowe (173.39)

A Mechanics Institute was founded on this site in 1882 in a timber building that is now at the rear of the main hall (1). The Institute was one of two constructed within the municipality; the history of Mechanics' Institutes is described below - see Warrandyte Mechanics' Institute.

The Memorial Hall was built in 1922, and opened by the Premier. It resulted from a major community fund-raising exercise (2).

The Hall is a red brick, double-fronted, gable¬ roofed hall. The side elevations have four bays. There are some later brick additions.

The arched porch with its projecting roof creates a 'memorial arch' on the front facade of the building.

Of local historical and social significance·as·a past and present focus of community sentiment as a Mechanics Institute and then as a memorial hall, and for its historical value in demonstrating the process of the growth of the Templestowe community.

(1) Graham Keogh, The history of Doncaster and Templestowe, 1975, p.48

(2) Hazel Poulter Templestowe a Folk History 1985, p. 61.

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Templestowe Memorial Hall, Anderson Street, Templestowe

East Doncaster Hall

N E cnr Andersons Creek and Blackburn Rds. East Doncaster (194.9)

The hall was created through community fundraising, starting in 1928/9 and seeing the hall to completion in 1932. It has been an important social centre for this locality since. The Council took over the hall from the Committee of Management in 1972 (1).

The hall is a single-storey clinker brick building with a gable roof; it has been extended.

The site is enclosed by tall plantings which form a local landmark at "Wagstaffs corner". The plantings consist mainly of Cypresses on Andersons Creek Road. The remaining trees are Monterey Pines. Many are badly mutilated by clearance for SEC services. While the group is physically prominent, its form has been severely damaged.

Of local historical significance as an expression of community endeavour, as a place of past community focus, and possibly with continuing social value for local people.

(1) Irene Crouch 'The East Doncaster Hall' Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society Newsletter 7, (4) 1974.

Athenaeum Hall

Doncaster Rd. Doncaster (213.23)

Built in c1897, this single-storey gable-roofed brick hall, has had major alterations.

In 1866 a branch of the Band of Hope formed in Doncaster, leading, eventually to the construction of the first public hall in the district. The site was purchased from the government by local residents in 1870, with an additional acre being donated by Alfred Hummel. The building was reportedly designed by Thomas Serpell (1) and was opened in 1871; it contained the first public library in the district. In 1897 the present hall was built in front of the original building. In 1914 the hall was remodelled, adding a stage, ante-room, lodge room, cloak and supper rooms and kitchen (2). 

A World War I memorial was added to the Doncaster Road facade in 1921. Subsequent c1970s additions have obscured the eastern facade, and the demolition of the parapet roofed foyer in recent times (presumably for road widening) has severely damaged the building and required relocation of the memorial.

It can be compared to Warrandyte Mechanics Institute, Lilydale Mechanics Institute and the Bairnsdale Mechanics Institute.

Of local historical significance as the earliest public hall in the district; the significance of the building has been severely damaged by the additions and alterations.

(1) Minutes of the Athenaeum Building Committee referred to in National Trust of Australia (Victoria) file.

(2) Irvine Green, Doncaster: a short history;  Graham Keogh, The history of Doncaster and Templestowe, 1975, p. 48-50.

South Warrandyte Hall

Hall Rd. South Warrandyte (195.1)

A simple, large, timber, single- storey, corrugated iron gable roofed hall. It has four-bay sides, a three-bay front and a skillion side ex¬ tension. The hall is intact and in good condition.

The present hall is the third on that site, the first being accidentally burnt down, and the second destroyed in the 1939 bushfires (1). These bushfires destroyed all the public buildings in South Warrandyte.

The Hall is thought to have been rebuilt after 1939 through local community efforts.

Of local significance as a community meeting place recreated through community efforts after the 1939 bushfires.

(1) Bruce Bence, The Mechanics Institute Warrandyte 1882-1990 . p.15.

Warrandyte Mechanics' Institute

Yarra St. Warrandyte (155.9)

Warrandyte Mechanics' Institute was built c.1927 on the site of the Warrandyte Hotel, which burnt down in 1925.

Mechanics' Institutes have had an important role in adult education since 1823 when the movement started in Australia; the first Victorian Institute was opened in Melbourne in 1839.

George Birbeck had originated the concept of Mechanics' Institutes in 1823, as a library of practical books for artisans combined with a lecture hall where technical, scientific and "morally circumspect" knowledge could be imparted to working people. During the late nineteenth century Institutes were created in most Victorian country towns (1).

The Warrandyte Mechanics' Institute was established in 1882 (after some 7 years of petitioning by the local community), in the former Andersons Creek Common School building (by then replaced by the new school). This building was on the corner of Yarra and Forbes Streets. By 1890 a new hall had been built to replace the former school building; it was on the northern side of Yarra Street (2).

When the present Institute was built, the old hall was used by Mr Aird to build a shop on the opposite side of the street (where the licensed grocer is today).

The Institute has been the focus of many Warrandyte social gatherings, and was the scene of community fund-raising efforts during the war years and a relief distribution point after the 1939 and 1962 fires which devastated the area.

Warrandyte Mechanics' Institute is a simple timber gable roofed hall. The gable is decorated with timber rails and the windows have 4-paned sashes. The existing hall is largely intact with some modifications having been made in the 1950s under the guidance of architect John Hipwell to the porch, toilet block and committee room (3).

The Institute was one of two constructed within the municipality. It is now run by the Warrandyte Mechanics' Institute and Arts Association.

Warrandyte Mechanics' Institute can be com¬ pared to Lilydale Mechanics' Institute, Athenaeum & Free Library, Bairnsdale Mechanics' Institute, and Doncaster Athenaeum Hall.

Of local significance for its social value as a building central to the community life of the Warrandyte people.

(1) Pam Firth. Survey of Mechanics' Institutes in Victorja. in progress .

(2) Warrandyte Mechanics Institute Proposed Alterations & Addjtjons. 1982; Warrandyte Mechanics' Institute Minute Books; Warrandyte Historical Society Newsletter April I984.

(3) Bence, The Mechanics Institute Warrandyte 1882-1990. p.23

Warrandyte Mechanics' Institute, Yarra Street, Warrandyte

Theme 6.07 Memorials

War memorials are sad, but important re¬ minders of the past. There are several war memorials in the municipality, and one Avenue of Honour (see Theme 1.04).

War Memorial

Services Memorial Park, Ruffey Street Templestowe (173.32)

Formerly the site of the Bulleen Shire Hall 1875-1910 then the Shire pound. It was re¬ named 'Services Memorial Park' in 1971. The World War I granite memorial was relocated from its original site at Anderson Street, to the park in 1990. The official ceremony of dedication was conducted on 25th April 1990, the 75th anniversary of Anzac Day.

The memorial has a crudely linked Tuscan column pair (of low architectural significance) on its plinth, and has no sculptor's mark or plate.

A more or less centrally located stone memorial in a concrete brick pavement. Flanking plantings of Palms (Washingtonia filitera) and an encircling planting of olives, with informally distributed Eucalypts (species not known) in the park lawn.

Of local interest.

Warrandyte War Memorial

Yarra St. Warrandyte (155.35)

A local sandstone random rubble stone war memorial and terraced gardens with central stone axial approach stairs. It has timber R.S.L. clubrooms at the rear.

The memorial was built in 1922 and has memorial plaques commemorating World War I 1914-18; World War II 1939-45; and the conflicts in Malaya, Korea, and Vietnam.

The memorial demonstrates the stonemasonry work of Kevin Sloan. Other examples of his work include the retaining wall stonework within the town.

Of local interest as a key townscape element

Theme 6.08 Cemeteries

Andersons Creek Cemetery

Cemetery Rd. Warrandyte, (175.15)

The site for this cemetery was temporarily reserved by the government in 1866, comprising 3 acres and 24 perches, with additional land being granted in 1988.

The first burial recorded in the cemetery was in 1867. An analysis of the occupations of those buried there in unmarked graves revealed a high proportion of miners (1). There are many Victorian cemeteries where the association with gold mining is equally strong; examples include Bendigo General as a large town example and Walhalla, as an example comparable to Warrandyte.

The layout is four square quadrants. Many noted Warrandyte people are buried in the cemetery, and there are a number of head¬ stones and graves of interest.

There are substantial works being undertaken to conserve headstones and upgrade internal roads and paths.

A typical rural cemetery containing some good cast-iron railings and markers. Also there are interesting vernacular graves from the 1930s in Moderne concrete and the 1950s in slate 'crazy paving'. Otherwise there are no monuments of architectural significance.

Of local significance as an early cemetery within the municipality, clearly demonstrating the historical connection to gold mining and containing a number of early elements.

(1) Bruce Bence, Andersons Creek Cemetery.1988

 

Andersons Creek Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Warrandyte

Templestowe Cemetery

Church Rd,Templestowe (173.31)

The Templestowe cemetery dates from 1858, preceding Warrandyte Cemetery, and acting as the burial place for people from the surrounding region.

The southern part of the Cemetery appears to be the earliest, containing a number of older headstones.

Contemporary graves reflect migration and settlement patterns, and Chinese, Greek and Italian monuments are common.

Of local significance as the earliest cemetery in the municipality with some early monuments remaining.

Lutheran Cemetery

Victoria St. Doncaster (193.09)

Now forming part of a museum complex, the remnants of this cemetery are associated with the Lutheran (Waldau) settlement.

The Lutheran church built their first church building in this locality in 1858, and Baron von Mueller contributed some seedlings as part of his efforts to acclimatise European plants in Victoria.

The Waldau Cemetery was opened in 1854 after the death of a young child; he was buried on Straube's land, later dedicated as a cemetery; however it was always a private cemetery. In October 1888 the cemetery was officially closed. During the years it was open 124 children and adults were buried there. Many of the graves are unmarked, but some headstones survive. The Waldau hill area is also an important landmark (see Theme 1.04 Historic planted landscapes).

Of local significance as part of an important historic site associated with and demonstrating some of the characteristics of this early settlement, and as an important landmark landscape.

Lutheran Cemetery, Victoria Street, Doncaster - a view of the conifer planting which form a local landmark.

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Source: City of Doncaster and Templestowe Heritage Study (Context Pty Ltd, Peterson R & Stafford B, 1991)  Published online with permission of Manningham Council (May2020)