Description

Standing at the corner of William Street and A'Beckett Street, opposite Flagstaff Gardens, the former Army Medical Corps Drill Hall is now home to the Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV).

The building's layout reflects the Medical Corps' operational needs and military hierarchies: the other ranks' mess is in the basement, the sergeants' mess on the first floor, and the officers' mess at the William Street end, with views over Flagstaff Gardens.

The two large drill halls either side of the main entrance provided space for medical training, marching, and physical exercise, with a mezzanine gallery above for observation. A former armoury below ground now houses part of the RHSV's archival collection.

What's On

Join representatives from the RHSV and Lovell Chen to explore the pleasures, pains and potential of living with heritage buildings.

Tour the Drill Hall in the company of representatives from the RHSV and the architectural, heritage and conservation practice Lovell Chen. Passing through spaces not normally open to the public, visitors will learn about the building's journey from military medicine to public memory, and understand how the building's architecture reflected its function, including how rank and hierarchy shaped the building's social geography.

They will experience the officers' and sergeants' messes, and the underground armoury that now houses the RHSV's archives. During the tour, we will also discuss the ongoing conservation requirements, how the building might be adapted for contemporary needs, and how the building might remain a resource for the Victorian community. The Drill Hall is both a case study and a conversation waiting to happen.

In Collaboration With:

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  Royal Historical Society of Victoria

  The Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV), founded in 1909, is a community-based organisation dedicated to collecting, researching, and sharing Victoria's rich histories. With over 1,300 members and serving as an umbrella body for more than 350 local historical societies, the RHSV runs lectures, seminars, exhibitions, and major events including History Month and the Victorian Community History Awards. We use our diverse collection and publications to ignite curiosity and wonder; to inspire debate; to explore and question our histories and how they shape our present and future; and to enrich Victorians’ lives by promoting research, knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of our histories to the widest possible audience.

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  Lovell Chen

  Lovell Chen is an award-winning, interdisciplinary team of architects, heritage consultants, conservation and landscape specialists, historians and researchers. We bring an unrivalled depth of experience and knowledge to projects across the public and private sectors with work spanning design, adaptation, masterplanning, placemaking, sustainability and conservation. To ensure the ongoing relevance of heritage places we believe it is essential to critically engage with the past through informed, sensitive stewardship. Guided by a strong ethical framework, forensic research, and a collaborative approach, we deliver socially responsible, technically robust and culturally-attuned outcomes of lasting integrity.