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IOOF. Hall

Location

35 Victoria Street & Cnr Russell Street,, MELBOURNE VIC 3000 - Property No B5915

File Number

B5915

Level

Regional

Statement of Significance

Designed in the Italian Renaissance style in 1876-77 as a four bay hall it was extended to the corner of Lygon Street with architects Ravenscroft and Freeman using matching details but a larger bay size. The IOOF Hall is a product of the pre-1890s property boom. It complements the Horticultural Hall and other nearby historic buildings including the Trades Hall.
It has historical importance as a reminder of the time when welfare services were provided by lodges, churches and other community organisations, rather than by government. The main function of lodges such as the IOOF was to provide sick pay, medical attendance and funeral benefits for members. The hall is historically important, also, as one of the few surviving public structures built for working men of the nineteenth century, rather than their employers.
Classified: 21/09/1989

Group