Tomaree Lodge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tomaree Holiday Lodge |
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Sign at the entrance of Tomaree Lodge in 2014
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| Location | Shoalhaven Road, Shoal Bay, Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1942– |
| Architect | NSW Government Architect / NSW Department of Public Works |
| Official name: Tomaree Holiday Lodge; Tomaree Head; South Head; Psychiatric Hospital; Tomaree Head Army / RAAF Camp | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 835 |
| Type | Historic Landscape |
| Category | Landscape - Cultural |
| Builders | NSW Department of Public Works for Commonwealth Government |
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Tomaree Lodge is a special place in Shoal Bay, Australia. It used to be a military camp and a hospital. Today, it provides homes for people with disabilities.
This site was designed by the New South Wales Government Architect's Office. It was built starting in 1942 by the NSW Department of Public Works for the Australian Government. During World War Two, it was known as the Tomaree Head Army/RAAF Camp. Because of its important history, Tomaree Lodge was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
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Discovering Tomaree Lodge's Past
Tomaree Headland is a piece of land at the entrance to Port Stephens. Tomaree Lodge is located on the western side of this headland. It has ten main buildings that were once army camp buildings from World War Two. The rest of Tomaree Head is now part of Tomaree National Park.
The land around Tomaree Head has a long history. It was originally home to the Worimi Aboriginal people. In 1770, Captain Cook saw Tomaree Head while sailing along the coast. After Europeans settled in New South Wales, Port Stephens became important for fishing and logging.
In 1861, Tomaree Head was made a reserve, meaning it was protected land. People used it for fun and sometimes for camping.
Tomaree Lodge and World War Two
Tomaree Head played a very important role in Australia's defence during World War Two. In March 1942, General Douglas MacArthur became the top commander for all Allied forces in the South West Pacific. This meant he was in charge of Australian forces too.
Port Stephens, including Tomaree Head, became a major military base. It was a joint effort between the Australian Army and the United States Navy. This area was key for training soldiers in the South-West Pacific. Other important military sites nearby included Camp Gan Gan and Fort Tomaree.
Plans for two army camps on Tomaree Head were made in 1941. These camps were built to support the Fort Tomaree defences. The buildings at Tomaree Lodge were likely built by the NSW Department of Public Works for the Australian Government. This was common during the war because of a shortage of workers. Many of the buildings from 1941 are still there today.
There was also a "surf battery" at Tomaree Head. This had guns to protect the entrance to Port Stephens. Later, torpedo tubes were also installed on the shoreline.
From Army Camp to Hospital
After World War Two ended in 1947, the military camp at Tomaree Head was given to the Department of Public Health. It was turned into a hospital for patients needing to recover. At that time, the site of Tomaree Lodge was called "Lower Tomaree." It had many buildings that had been used by the army. Another camp, "Upper Tomaree," was located further south. Its buildings were later removed, and that area is now part of Tomaree National Park.
When the government took over the old army camp, it was quite run down. But it was seen as a good place for a recovery centre. The first patients arrived in June 1947. By 1949, the hospital was still being set up. It was planned to help both male and female patients.
In the 1950s, a "five-year plan" helped improve Tomaree Lodge. Some old army huts were taken down and rebuilt in a more modern way. A new recreation hall, garages, and workshops were also built using materials from the old army buildings.
By 1952, Tomaree Holiday Lodge had 118 patients and eleven staff members. In the mid-1950s, tennis courts and a cricket pitch were added.
A Holiday Spot for Patients
In 1960, a special holiday program started. Patients from other hospitals could come to Tomaree for a two-week holiday. By 1962, about 40 beds were available for these holidays. There were also permanent residents who helped maintain the buildings and grounds. In 1965, a new swimming pool was built.
In 1984, Tomaree National Park was created. Part of the hospital land was added to the park. In 1985, the holiday program stopped. Instead, people who lived permanently at other centres moved to Tomaree Lodge.
In 1989, the government thought about selling Tomaree Lodge. But local people strongly disagreed, and the plan was stopped. By 1992, Tomaree Lodge was owned by the Department of Health. It no longer offered short holidays but provided long-term homes for people with developmental disabilities.
From 2001, Tomaree Lodge was run by DADHC (a government department). It provided homes for about 45-50 residents. Today, Tomaree Lodge covers 8.8 hectares of land. The buildings are still in much the same places as they were in 1942.
In 2015, the government announced that Tomaree Lodge would close. This was part of a plan to move residents into smaller group homes under the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Local groups were worried about the site being sold. They wanted it to remain public land. The facility was expected to close around 2018-2019.
What Tomaree Lodge Looks Like
Tomaree Lodge is located between Tomaree Head and Shoal Bay. It has many buildings, mostly single-storey, made of weatherboard. These buildings were originally army camp buildings from World War Two. The nearby Tomaree National Park covers the rest of Tomaree Head.
The land around Tomaree Lodge includes the ten main accommodation buildings. There are also administrative buildings and other facilities. The area is landscaped with terraces and old Norfolk Island pine trees. The buildings are grouped together, making it feel like a small village. A stone wall built by former residents runs along the foreshore of Shoal Bay.
The Buildings
The ten cottages at Tomaree Lodge are single-storey buildings. They were designed and built in 1942 by the NSW Government Architect's Office. They were used as an Australian Army camp during World War Two.
These buildings are usually made of timber and covered with weatherboard. They often have corrugated metal gable roofs. Some buildings on slopes have brick bases. Many cottages have fixed awnings and still have their original timber-framed sash windows. Ramps have been added to make the buildings easy to access for everyone.
Inside, the cottages usually have timber floors. Most of the original internal wall linings, which contained asbestos, have been safely replaced. Building 4 still has much of its original room layout.
Over the years, some changes have been made to the cottages. Their size has been extended, roofs have been changed, and doors and windows have been updated. Ramps have been added, and doors have been widened for easier access. Old verandas have sometimes been enclosed, and original windows replaced with modern ones.
Other Features and Condition
The site also has special features from its past military use. These include old fortifications, roads, gun placements, and stone walls. On the rocky platform of the headland, you can see terracing, drains, and sea walls.
Tomaree Lodge is next to Tomaree National Park. The area has native plants, including some rare ones. The natural areas are considered very important for conservation.
As of 2008, the buildings at Tomaree Lodge were in good condition. They are still used, so they are well-maintained. Even with changes, you can still see their original design.
The land around Tomaree Lodge is very important for archaeology. This means there might be old remains from the Fort Tomaree Battery Camp from World War Two. These could include building foundations, old objects, and changes to the landscape like terraces. There might also be concrete bases from searchlight towers and gun platforms. It's also possible there are signs of Aboriginal occupation from long ago.
Tomaree Lodge is one of the few remaining examples of an army camp built for the military in New South Wales.
Changes Over Time
The original army camp buildings at Tomaree Head were changed to be used as a hospital in the 1950s. The site has been updated over the years to meet changing needs.
Some of the main changes include:
- 1950-1955: Old army huts were removed and rebuilt to create more space. A new recreation hall, garages, and workshops were built using recycled materials. Terraces, gardens, drainage, roads, and rock work for the pool were also added.
- 1950-1955: Major construction work, including renovations and turning huts into staff cottages.
- 1953-1955: Two tennis courts and a concrete cricket pitch were built.
- 1965: A new swimming pool and facilities were added.
- 1966: A new administration building, kitchens, dining room, and balconies were built.
- 1990s: Part of the land was transferred to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to become part of Tomaree Head National Park.
Why Tomaree Lodge is Special
Tomaree Lodge is important for its history in New South Wales. It has "State heritage significance," which means it's recognized as a very important historical site for the whole state.
A Link to World War Two
Tomaree Lodge is important because it was an Army Garrison Camp during World War Two. It shows how much Port Stephens helped in the war effort. In March 1942, when General Douglas MacArthur became the top commander, Port Stephens became a key military base for Australia and the United States.
Hidden Treasures and Research
The land around Tomaree Lodge has a high "archaeological potential." This means there could be many hidden historical objects or remains from World War Two. There are not many intact old army camps from World War Two left in New South Wales. Any discoveries here could tell us new things about that time.
Tomaree Lodge is also important for understanding other World War Two military sites in Port Stephens and Newcastle. These include Fort Tomaree, Camp Gan Gan, and HMAS Assault.
A Rare Landmark
The site is a landmark on the foreshore of Shoal Bay. It is rare because it's one of the few surviving and mostly unchanged army camps from World War Two in New South Wales.
While Tomaree Lodge also shows how health facilities for people with mental illness and disabilities have changed, its unique history as a World War Two army camp makes it stand out.
Tomaree Holiday Lodge was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 because it met several important criteria:
- It shows the pattern of history in New South Wales.
Tomaree Lodge is important because it was an Army Garrison Camp during World War Two. It shows how Port Stephens played a big part in the war.
- It has special beauty or design.
Tomaree Lodge is beautiful because it's a landmark on the Shoal Bay foreshore at the entrance to Port Stephens.
- It has a strong connection with a community or group.
The social importance of Tomaree Lodge is likely very strong for the people who have lived and worked there. Many people have spent a lot of their lives at Tomaree Lodge. The local community showed how much they cared when they strongly opposed its sale in 1989.
- It can teach us about history.
Tomaree Lodge is important because the land around it has high archaeological potential from its World War Two use. There are not many intact World War Two army camps in New South Wales with such potential. Any old objects found here could give us new information. It also helps us understand other World War Two military sites nearby, like Fort Tomaree and Camp Gan Gan.
- It is uncommon, rare, or endangered.
Tomaree Lodge is rare because it's one of the few surviving and mostly unchanged army camps from World War Two in New South Wales. It's special because it was first an army camp before becoming a health facility.
