Winchelsea Memorial Grandstand Upgrade Project

  • Project typeVictorian Veterans Capital Works Program
  • Project value$60,000
  • Completion Date31 July 2025
2024 Grandstand view from Hopkins St.jpg

The Winchelsea and District Soldiers Memorial Grandstand Upgrade Project will:

  • Improve the building’s safety and accessibility (with an upgraded entry ramp)
  • Provide greater functionality (by redeveloping an underutilised space, removing an introduced shower cubicle and false ceiling and creating an expanded library, museum and workspace including fit out and painting)
  • Highlighting this extraordinary community heritage listed facility (via uplighting of the significant front façade).

Home to the RSL Winchelsea Sub Branch for over 100 years, the project is of great importance to the RSL Winchelsea members, veterans and their families and to the broader community and visitors.

The Winchelsea and District Soldiers Memorial (1914-1918) Grandstand within Winchelsea’s Eastern Reserve, was constructed in 1923 as a functional memorial to soldiers who served Australia during World War One.

Added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 2005, it is claimed to be the most substantial public building in Australia built using the nationally significant ‘knitlock’ construction method designed and patented by architect Walter Burley Griffin in 1917.

The RSL Winchelsea Sub Branch was formed in 1919 (and associated with the Victorian branch of the RSL since that time) and currently has 26 dedicated members. The foundational RSL Winchelsea Sub Branch worked with the then Winchelsea Shire Council, the Reserve Committee and the ladies auxiliary of the Sub Branch to plan, fund and build the Winchelsea and District Soldiers Memorial Grandstand.

Within the grandstand are the RSL’s meeting rooms, a museum of local, district and regional service memorabilia, artefacts and collections and information and samples of the ‘knitlock’ construction method.

RSL Winchelsea have continued to support local causes and charities, focusing primarily on veterans’ issues, soldier settlement and housing and widow support. RSL Winchelsea also plan and deliver many local commemorative events and support events conducted in nearby communities.

This $59,728 project is jointly funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing via the Victorian Veterans Capital Works Program 2023-24 ($49,728) and the RSL Winchelsea Sub Branch (in kind contribution of $10,000). The project is being managed by Surf Coast Shire in collaboration with RSL Winchelsea Sub branch.

The project is expected to be completed by July 2025.

 

Location

35 Hopkins Street, Winchelsea 3241  View Map

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