Veterans fight demolition of area’s ‘wartime history’

By Shaun Inguanzo
DANDENONG war veterans say they are “greatly disappointed” at plans by the Greater Dandenong Council to demolish a 115-year-old army drill hall.
Residents and community groups will meet with council officers on Tuesday to discuss details of the Draft Dandenong Park Precinct Master Plan, which includes knocking down the drill hall and relocating Dandenong City Bowling Club and the neighbouring croquet club in order to make room for more parkland.
The plan is aimed at revamping Dandenong Park and transforming it into a hub of recreational activity.
But Dandenong World War II veteran and RSL member Bruce Patchell said the council’s plan to demolish the drill hall, built in 1890, would see the loss of important wartime history.
“I can understand the council not seeing its importance as we ex-service people do, for they fortunately may not have had to experience both World Wars and the Vietnam War,” he said.
Mr Patchell said the hall had served as a rally point for thousands of troops across south-east Melbourne during both World Wars.
“They signed their lives away in the drill hall in both the first and second World Wars, and the evidence from the loss of life in the area is exhibited in the honour roll board at Dandenong Town Hall,” he said.
Mr Patchell said the drill hall was in a neglected state but could be revamped into something useful.
But the veteran said he, the Dandenong RSL and its supporters would not stand for the historical building to be knocked down purely for more parkland.
“It is terribly important it be retained, so we can remember that many people of this city joined up and all signed their lives away,” Mr Patchell said.
“We did army training and drills there before we went to military camps.
“I’m for Dandenong and I have put some years of community work into this city, and am not prepared to stand by to see things flattened.”
Mr Patchell and fellow RSL members are expected to attend the 23 May meeting at Thomas Carroll Reserve, Crowe Pavilion, Box Street, Dandenong, at 6.30pm.