Annerley Army Reserve Depot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Annerley Army Reserve Depot |
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Structure in 2015
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| Location | 158 Dudley Street, Annerley, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1914 – 1919 (World War I) |
| Built | 1914–1954 |
| Official name: Annerley Army Reserve Depot (former) | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 7 February 2005 |
| Reference no. | 602216 |
| Significant period | 1910s, 1950s (fabric) 1910s–1960s (historical) |
| Significant components | other – defence: component, wall/s – retaining, trees/plantings, toilet block/earth closet/water closet, parade ground/quadrangle/assembly ground, hall – drill |
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The Annerley Army Reserve Depot is a special heritage-listed site in Annerley, Australia. It has two main buildings called drill halls. These halls were built in 1914 and 1954. They were used by soldiers for training. This site is important because it shows how Australia's defence forces changed over many years. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2005.
Contents
A Look Back at the Annerley Army Depot
Early Days of Defence in Queensland
Long ago, Queensland had volunteer soldiers. These were people who chose to train and serve in the military. They helped protect the colony. From 1860, many volunteer groups were formed. They often held training camps. These camps helped different groups train together. This made them a stronger fighting force.
In the late 1870s, there were worries about war. This led to big changes in Queensland's defence. In 1884, a new law called the Defence Act was passed. This law completely changed how the colony was defended. The volunteer system continued, but a new permanent force was also created. This force included paid soldiers and police.
After this law, the government built many drill halls. These halls were places where soldiers could train. Many were built in Brisbane and other big towns. About 30 halls were built for these new military groups.
Australia's Defence Grows Stronger
In 1901, Australia became one country. The new Australian government took over defence. A new part of the Defence Act was added. It said that boys aged 12 to 18 had to do compulsory drilling. Young men aged 18 to 20 had to do annual training. This rule started in 1911.
Because of this, the number of young people training grew a lot. In 1911, over 90,000 young people joined. By 1915, the defence force had grown from about 23,000 to over 60,000 people.
The army needed more places for all these new trainees. So, they built many new drill halls. These halls were built in central places. They provided a space for training in any weather. The Australian government paid for these buildings. State architects helped design them.
Building the First Annerley Drill Hall
The first drill hall at Annerley was built in 1914. It was known as the Junction Park Drill Hall. The design was simple and typical for the time. It had a large meeting hall. This hall was covered so training could happen at night. It also had offices for the different army groups.
The building was made of timber and corrugated iron. This was a common and cheap way to build back then. The Annerley site became a busy training spot. Many different army units used it. This included infantry, machine gun sections, and medical groups.
Changes After World War II
By 1947, more buildings were added to the site. These included toilets, showers, a kitchen, and an officer's mess. During World War II, this depot helped train soldiers.
After World War II, Australia's defence forces changed again. A new group of full-time professional soldiers was created. This was called the Australian Regular Army. The part-time soldiers were renamed the Citizens Military Forces (CMF).
In 1951, a new rule started. All 18-year-old males had to register for military service. This made sure many people joined the CMF. The Annerley site was renamed the Annerley CMF Training Depot.
The army needed better facilities for all these new soldiers. So, in 1954, a second drill hall was built at Annerley. This was one of only a few drill halls built in Queensland during the 1950s.
Upgrades and New Uses
In 1953, plans were made to improve the Annerley depot. The new 1954 drill hall was designed to be multi-purpose. It had company stores and offices. It also had an attached area for showers and toilets. A large parade ground was created between the old and new drill halls.
In 1964, more space was added inside the 1954 drill hall. A mezzanine floor was built. This added more offices, a small theatre, and a lecture room.
The Annerley Army Reserve Depot is no longer owned by the Department of Defence. In 2004, it was approved for new uses. These included building homes on the site.
What the Annerley Army Depot Looks Like
The Annerley Army Reserve Depot is a rectangular site. It has a long front facing Dudley Street. There is a wide, gated entrance. The site is also next to Linville Lane. The two main buildings are the drill halls from 1914 and 1954.
The 1914 Drill Hall
The older drill hall, built in 1914, looks like other halls from that time. It has a simple gable roof. Inside, it's one big open space. Small offices are located along the east side.
The building is made of timber. It has corrugated iron on the outside. The roof is also made of corrugated iron. A long ventilator runs along the top of the roof. The floor is raised slightly off the ground. Most windows are double-hung timber windows.
Some small changes have been made to this building. A verandah was added to the front by 1935. A small annex was also added to the west wall.
The 1954 Drill Hall
The newer drill hall, built in 1954, has two parts. The main drill hall is to the north. A wing to the south holds bathrooms, toilets, and storage rooms. There are still original timber signs above some doors. A brick foyer connects the two parts.
The main hall is very large. It is about 37 metres long and 15 metres wide. Six big roller doors open onto the parade ground. Smaller offices are found along the north and west sides. In 1964, a second floor, called a mezzanine, was added. This mezzanine has offices, a lecture room, and a small theatre.
Other Buildings and Features
There are other buildings on the site too. There's an old toilet block from 1913. It has a gable roof and corrugated iron walls. Another brick toilet, kitchen, and shower block is along Linville Lane.
In the north-eastern corner, there's a small brick building. It used to store flammable liquids. There's also a portable building. A large shed with a roller door is located near the parade ground.
In the middle of the site is a large, open parade ground. It is paved with bitumen. The buildings are arranged around three sides of this ground. Along the south side, large camphor laurel trees separate the parade ground from the street. Other old trees include a mango tree and a jacaranda tree. The site has retaining walls where the ground was cut to make the level parade ground.
Why Annerley Army Depot is Special
The former Annerley Army Reserve Depot is important for several reasons. It helps us understand Queensland's history.
Showing How History Changed
The two drill halls (1914 and 1954) are good examples of their time. They show how the site developed as a military training place. This happened after changes to the Defence Act. Many drill halls were built in Australia between 1911 and 1916. They provided places for the new soldiers.
The first drill hall (1914) shows when compulsory military training started in Australia. You can see this in the building's design and the parade ground.
The second drill hall (1954) was built after World War II. It shows how Australia's military changed. It also reflects how the Department of Defence reacted to the Cold War in the 1950s.
A Rare Combination of History
The Annerley Army Reserve Depot is special because it was used for military purposes for a very long time. It was used from before World War I until the late 1990s. Having both a World War I and a post-World War II drill hall on the same site is rare. This shows how a standard drill hall design was used for over 100 years.
A Great Example of Military Buildings
The two main buildings are good examples of drill halls built by the government. The 1914 hall used corrugated iron and timber. This made it quick and cheap to build. It is one of only six similar halls still existing in Queensland.
The Annerley 1914 building is unusual because it is one of the larger types of drill halls. The 1950s drill halls also followed a standard design.
The other buildings on the site, like the kitchen, showers, and storage areas, also show how the site was used. They give us clues about how soldiers spent their time there.
Important to the Community
The Australian Army used this site for a long time, from the early 1900s until recently. Many soldiers trained and visited this depot. Their connection to the site is very strong.
Images for kids
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Plaque next to the building
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Front of the building, 2015
