1ST DANDENONG SCOUT GROUP ARMYTAGE OWN SCOUT HALL

The 1st Dandenong Scout Group Armytage Own Scout Hall commissioned by Ada Armytage, designed by architect Ivan Dimant and completed in 1930. 

The 1st Dandenong Scout Group Armytage Own Scout Hall is of historical significance to the State of Victoria. It satisfies the following criteria for inclusion in the VHR: 

Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria's cultural history. 

Importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural places and objects. 

Special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in Victoria’s history. 

The 1st Dandenong Scout Group Armytage Own Scout Hall is historically significant for its capacity to demonstrate the history and values of the Scouting movement in the early twentieth century. Its ‘castle’ façade symbolises patriotic allegiance to Britain and the Medieval code of chivalry founder Baden-Powell sought to instil in boy scouts. Built for one of the largest youth movements in Australia, the Hall evokes a sense of adventure and discovery and invites young people to join the activities. The official opening of the Hall was postponed until 1935 when Lord and Lady Baden-Powell visited Dandenong as part of their participation in the World Scout Jamboree in nearby Frankston. [Criterion A] 

The 1st Dandenong Scout Group Armytage Own Scout Hall is historically significant as a fine and notable example of a Scout Hall. Its architecturally ambitious picturesque Medieval-style façade sets it apart from other Scout Halls in the State. From the early 1910s Scout Halls developed as a utilitarian class of building which provided functional and robust spaces for groups of boys engaged in adventure activities. The Dandenong Scout Hall is unusually generous in its size and provision of multiple rooms, and particularly notable for its striking presence as a castle. At its opening in 1930 the building was described as the finest Scout Hall in Victoria and may be regarded similarly today. [Criterion D] 

The 1st Dandenong Scout Group Armytage Own Scout Hall is historically significant for its association with Ada Elizabeth Armytage (1858–1939) who commissioned the building. A prominent and influential philanthropist, Ada Armytage was a member of the wealthy Armytage family who owned Como House (VHR H0205) and was well-known for her support of the Scouting movement. Benefactress of the 1st Dandenong Scout Troop, she funded the new hall at the unheard of sum of £3400, and the words FIRST DANDENONG – ARMYTAGE OWN – SCOUT HALL are prominently set into the façade. Armytage’s commission is significant at a time when there were only seven registered women architects in Victoria. It speaks to the capacity of wealthy women of status to shape the built environment from a position of social influence from outside the architectural profession. The Scout Hall is stylistically similar to the Armytage family’s Portsea residence Delgany (VHR H2058). [Criterion H]