St Kilda Pavilion facts for kids
The St Kilda Pavilion is a special building located at the end of the St Kilda Pier in St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. It's like a small cafe or shop. Even though the current building was rebuilt in 2004, it looks just like the original. It's so important that it's listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, which means it's a protected historical site.
Contents
The Pavilion's Story
Early Days of the Pier and Kiosk
The very first St Kilda Pier was built way back in 1853. Over the years, it was made longer as St Kilda became a popular place for people to visit by the sea. People thought it would be a great idea to have a small shop or cafe at the end of the pier.
Francis Parer, whose family owned restaurants, started running this new kiosk. It was designed by James Charles Morell and built in 1904 by John W. Douglas. For many years, people called it Parer's Pavilion. Its official name was the Austral Refreshment Rooms.
Family Owners and Changes
In 1939, Noble and Ivy Kerby took over the kiosk. It then became known as Kerby's Kiosk. Their son, Colin, started working there in 1934. He took charge after his father passed away in 1959. Colin even lived upstairs with his family for a while! He retired in 1987, and after that, the building was fixed up to look more like its original design. Later, Joe Sillitoe and then Carmel Grant managed the kiosk.
Rebuilding After a Fire
Sadly, on September 11, 2003, the kiosk was badly damaged in a fire. Many people in the community wanted it rebuilt. With support from the public and the Premier, Steve Bracks, the kiosk was reconstructed. They used the original plans from 1903 and even saved some parts, like the cast-iron roof and a weather vane.
An extra building was added behind the kiosk to make more space. This new part is hidden when you look at the pavilion from the pier. The rebuilt kiosk opened its doors in March 2006. Peter Tzambazis then leased it for 16 years.
Today, Parks Victoria owns and looks after both the pier and the kiosk.
Images for kids
-
-
St. Kilda Pier Kiosk
-
-
