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Leongatha Memorial Hall and Shire Offices

Location 6-8 McCartin Street LEONGATHA, South Gippsland Shire File Number Original Hermes No: 30794 Level -

[1/2] Leongatha Memorial Hall.jpg [2/2] Leongatha Memorial Hall &

Statement of Significance

What is Significant?
The Leongatha Memorial Hall & former Shire Offices, designed by TE Molloy and constructed by Raymond V Ritchie in 1925-26, at 6-8 McCartin Street, Leongatha.
Why is it Significant?
The Leongatha Memorial Hall & former Shire Offices at 6-8 McCartin Street, Leongatha is of local historic, aesthetic, and social significance to South Gippsland Shire.
Historically, it was the second Shire offices of the Shire of Woorayl and demonstrates the growth in the municipality during the Federation period. One of a small group of Shire buildings erected in Victoria as war memorials, it is the largest single memorial erected in the Shire to commemorate the First World War, and the dedication of such a key building as a memorial demonstates the profound impact of the War upon small rural communities. (AHC criteria - A.4. B.2 D.2) Aesthetically, it is a notable exercise in Free Classical design of the interwar period, and is significant as the major work in the Shire of the prominent local architect, TE Molloy. It is the focal part of the highly important group of civic buildings that are an essential part of the historic character of Leongatha. (AHC criterion - E.1) Socially, it is significant as the focus of public and municipal activity in the Leongatha region over a long period, and is an important part of the identity of Leongatha. (AHC criterion - G.1)