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VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORP TAMBO TRENCHES

Other Name

VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS (VDC) TRENCHES

Location

GREAT ALPINE ROAD ENSAY, EAST GIPPSLAND SHIRE

Level

Heritage Inventory Site

Statement of Significance

What is significant?

This site is a rare and unique type of inland civil defencive position constructed by a local unit of the Volunteer Defence Corps during the early part of WWII.
This site, although simple in its nature and construction, has important social and historical significance. The site is not necessarily technologically significant in it construction but its positioning and layout offer strategic military interpretation. With the geographic and landscape setting providing important interpretive context for the strategic positioning of the site.
The site is historically significant in clearly illustrating the concerns of the Australian Defence Force and local communities to the potential threat of Japanese invasion to Australia’s a south-east coast.
The setting in mountainous natural bush, overlooking the picturesque Tambo River and surrounding hills, also offers a powerful and engaging realization that the local community believed invasion was a real risk. That this location may have potentially been an important defense position and the scene of potential battle for a strategic route, homes and livelihoods.
The site may be of State or even National significance for its rarity of type being a locally constructed VDC (civil) defence installation. Offering a contrast to the large more formal military defence installation around the Australian coastline.

How is it significant?

Why is it significant?

 
SiteCard data copied on 13/11/2024:
 

What is significant?

The sites features, associated topographic landscape and its geographic context and the surrounding forest landscape.

How is it significant?

This site is a rare and unique type of inland civil defencive position constructed by a local unit of the Volunteer Defence Corps during the early part of WWII.

Why is it significant?

This site, although simple in its nature and construction, has important social and historical significance. The most recent survey (September 2024) clearly demonstrates military strategy for offensive and defensive measures against an invading Japanese military invasion into eastern Victoria via the old Omeo Highway.
 
The site is not necessarily technologically significant in it construction but its positioning and layout clearly demostrate strategic military interpretation. With the geographic and landscape setting providing important interpretive context for the strategic positioning of the site.
 
The site is historically significant in clearly illustrating the concerns of the Australian Defence Force and local communities to the potential threat of Japanese invasion to Australia’s a south-east coast.
 
The setting in mountainous natural bush, overlooking the picturesque Tambo River and surrounding hills, also offers a powerful and engaging realization that the local community believed invasion was a real risk. That this location may have potentially been an important defense position and the scene of potential battle for a strategic route, homes and livelihoods.
 
The site may be National significance for its rarity of type being a locally constructed VDC (civil) defence installation. Offering a contrast to the large more formal military defence installation around the Australian coastline.
 

Group

Military

Category

Defence Manufacturing