Brighton, Vic. 5 July 1919. This plaque, which was unveiled by the State Governor the Honourable ...

Place Oceania: Australia, Victoria, Melbourne, Brighton
Accession Number P01331.006
Collection type Photograph
Object type Black & white - Film copy negative
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Brighton, Vic. 5 July 1919. This plaque, which was unveiled by the State Governor the Honourable Sir Arthur Lyulph Stanley KCMG at the opening of ANZAC Hostel, reads: "ANZAC Hostel in honour of the brave men who fought in the Great War of 1914-1918. This property was provided by the Commonwealth of Australia from the donation of William Lawrence Baillieu and his brothers for the use of incapacitated soldiers. Opened by the state governor, His Excellency Sir Arthur Lyulph Stanley KCMG 5th July 1919." In November 1918 the government purchased the property "Kamesburgh" to establish a home for the care of totally and permanently incapacitated men. Their disability was due to war service and they required nursing care but no medical or surgical treatment. The government used part of a 25000 pound donation from the Baillieu brothers; William Lawrence (1859-1936), Edward Lloyd (1867-1939), Arthur Sydney (1872-1943), Richard Percy Clive (1874-1941), Norman Horace (1878-1955) and Captain Maurice Howard Lawrence (1883-1961), all prominent Melbourne businessmen. At the time Anzac Hostel opened it had a capacity of twenty-five beds and employed seven nurses under the charge of Matron Catherine Munro. Anzac Hostel was officially closed on 30 June 1995, and the house is now used as a school. The plaque remains in the original building's entrance hall to this day. A new Anzac Hostel was opened on the property's grounds on 27 July 1998.