FORMER BELMONT HOTEL

The following information provided is based on Heritage Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes, which have been established to ensure that objects, places, and events, can be understood, assessed, and presented within the context of a broad theme, rather than as a singular item of interest. The Former Belmont Hotel is relevant to four major themes presented in Heritage Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes. 

The first relevant theme to the Former Belmont Hotel is: Building Victoria’s industries and workforce. This site has the potential to provide insight into how 19th to 20th century residents of Thomastown operated hotels. This specifically relates to the themes: Markets and retailing, in relation to serving local needs, Entertaining and socialising, in relation to Victorians meeting and socialising in rural Victoria and dining out, developing Victoria’s culinary, café and bar culture, and to theme Catering for tourists, in relation to accommodating tourists.  

The second relevant theme to the Former Belmont Hotel is: Governing Victorians. This site has the potential to provide insight into the formation and operation of the Epping District Road Board. This specifically relates to the themes: Developing institutions of self-government and democracy, in relation to the development of local government authorities, as well as theme: Maintaining Law and order, in relation to administering resources and services including indigenous affairs.  

The third relevant theme to the Former Belmont Hotel is: Shaping cultural and creative life. For many decades the Belmont Hotel hosted a variety of races for the community. This site has the potential to provide insight into the 19th to 20th century Thomastown residents’ sporting and recreational cultural identity. This specifically relates to the theme: Participating in sport and recreation, in relation to pursing individual sports and enjoying leisure activities.  

The Burra Charter defines ‘cultural significance’ as ‘aesthetic, historical, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations’ (2013). The Former Belmont Hotel has been assessed against these values and is considered to be of high historical significance as one of the earliest hotels on the northern fringe of early Melbourne. The Former Belmont Hotel is considered to be of moderate-high social significance as it served as a place for meeting and recreation for the community of Thomastown for at least 135 years. The Former Belmont Hotel may contain archaeological deposits and features of moderate scientific significance The site has no known spiritual or aesthetic significance. Overall, the site is considered to be of moderate-high significance at a local level.