Royal Australian Navy – Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society

Now and Then 2021 – HMAS Apartments and Lagoon Pier

Port Melbourne HistoryAugust 2, 2021

Completed in 2001, the HMAS Apartments were designed by the renowned architectural firm of Fender Katsalidis, who also designed Eureka Tower, Australia 108 and many other striking buildings. The towers of this apartment complex are visible from many parts of Port Melbourne. The name reflects the history of the site which was the location of the naval base HMAS Lonsdale…

My Favourite Port Melbourne Place – Answering the Call

Places, Port Melbourne HistoryJuly 22, 2021

by Vicki Radcliffe When Margret Bride announced that she would be looking for new members to do a short presentation on their favourite Port Melbourne place, I immediately thought of the foreshore of Port Melbourne beach and, more specifically, the bronze memorial statue of a sailor looking outwards to the bay. This statue intrigued me right from the first time…

Freedom of Entry to the City

Port Melbourne HistoryAugust 18, 2016

The Freedom of Entry to the City of Port Melbourne Navy Parade in Bay Street, 1982. Courtesy of Perc White. The custom of granting armed forces Freedom of Entry to the City dates from medieval Europe where walled cities could make the movement of armed forces difficult. If the passing troops were deemed untrustworthy, then the city may refuse to provide…

Answering the Call

Port Melbourne HistoryNovember 29, 2015

Gusty winds of around 90 kph on previous days had whipped off the covers to give a premature glimpse of the Answering the Call sculpture which commemorates the Navy's association with Port Melbourne going back to 1859. The Navy is back in Port. Projects such as this have a long gestation and call on patience and dogged perseverance. As early as 1997, Don Boyle and Elizabeth…

New Life for Naval Drill Hall

Planning & PreservationJune 15, 2015

Planning is well underway for adapting the Port Melbourne Naval Drill Hall for a Year 9 environment focused program for Albert Park Secondary College. Funding for the project was allocated in the May state budget. The former Naval Drill Hall is on the Victorian Heritage Register, Number H1378 The citation says 'The Port Melbourne Naval Drill Hall was built in 1912 to the design…

Port’s eye sees inside ‘the silent ANZAC’

Port Melbourne HistorySeptember 18, 2014

Port Melbourne played a part in allowing scientists and historians to film inside “the silent ANZAC”* - the historic submarine wreck HMAS AE2. Discovered in 1998, the submarine was scuttled during the Gallipoli campaign. The hulk sits on the bottom of the Sea of Marmara. AE2 Australian War Memorial Researchers from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, in Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne, developed…

Brown, Alfred Abraham (2243)

Enlistments, WWI Centenary, ~BAugust 29, 2014

Place of Birth: Northcote, VIC Age: 16 years 9 months Enlistment Details: Sunday, 30 September 2012 - unknown Service Number: 2243 view online service record Address: 198 Ross Street Port Melbourne, VIC Next of Kin: Sylvia Brown (mother) 198 Ross Street Port Melbourne, VIC Embarkation Details: Unit: Royal Australian Navy Fate: Discharged: Thursday, 15…

Hookey, Vernon William (5635)

Enlistments, WWI Centenary, ~HAugust 23, 2014

Place of Birth: South Melbourne, VIC Age: 19 years 5 months Enlistment Details: Thursday, 13 April 1916 - Melbourne, VIC Service Number: 5635 view online service record Address: 246 Graham Street Port Melbourne, VIC Next of Kin: Susanah Hookey (mother) 246 Graham Street Port Melbourne, VIC Embarkation Details: Unit: Royal Australian Navy Fate: Discharged: Saturday,…

McAllister, John Cecil Stewart (5986)

Enlistments, WWI Centenary, ~MAugust 18, 2014

Place of Birth: Glasgow, Scotland Age: 14 years 9 months Enlistment Details: Friday, 2 February 1917 - unknown Service Number: 5986 view online service record Address: 197 Bay Street Port Melbourne, VIC Next of Kin: Charles Stewart McAllister (father) 197 Bay Street Port Melbourne, VIC Embarkation Details: Unit: Royal Australian Navy…

Molloy, William Charles (3690)

Enlistments, WWI Centenary, ~MAugust 18, 2014

Place of Birth: South Melbourne, VIC Age: 17 years 6 months Enlistment Details: Friday, 13 March 1914 - unknown Service Number: 3690 view online service record Address: 64 Nott Street Port Melbourne, VIC Next of Kin: Annie Molloy (mother) 64 Nott Street Port Melbourne, VIC Embarkation Details: Date: DNE Unit: Royal Australian Navy…

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians