Here one day, gone the next

Words and illustration by Geoff Hocking

As I went up Lyttleton Terrace the other day, I was shocked – shocked and surprised – to observe that the ‘new’ civic offices had all but disappeared. Even Alf Doherty’s Automobile Service workshop, a venerable institution that had stood the test of time, just behind the council buildings, had gone as well. I was never an enthusiastic fan of this modern building, but it probably could have been allowed to remain and grow old gracefully. It was one of many projects undertaken in Bendigo and the surrounding district by Bendigo architect Bill Mitchell. However, the destruction of the civic offices does seem wasteful, having lasted just over 50 years – and then it has gone. Mitchell had created a design that was meant to stand the test of time and had planned for the demands of the future. He had built into the design a structure that would enable extra floors to be added as demand for more office space grew. A notice board informs the passerby that a new Government Hub will be built on the Lyttleton Terrace site. Bendigo has made many attempts at modernisation and Mitchell’s architectural designs have contributed their fair share. I am indebted to Bendigo author, researcher and publisher Mike Butcher, who provided me with an extensive list of Mitchell’s oeuvre – hundreds and hundreds of projects listed, buildings designed, built or renovated – he appears to have been the go-to-guy in the Golden City when bricks and mortar needed planning. Another of Mitchell’s designs that also suffered was the former Brolga HotelMotel, built in 1968 on a rise overlooking Lake Eppalock, for Hargreaves Street newsagent Madge Edgar. This ultra-modern building was of an international style with tall, panoramic windows affording a wide view of the water from its circular dining room. The entrance featured a wall of clocks set to the times of major capitals all around the world, in case some highflying jet-setters had just landed on the lake and needed to check the time back home. However, the Brolga suffered its demise towards the end of the 2002-10 drought when the lake almost dried up. The authorities would no longer guarantee a lease for the hotel. Unable to secure its future, it too was demolished.

It is a shame to see these two major public buildings, designed by Mitchell, gone forever. There are many other buildings that have been lost to Bendigo, or just moved around. The adventurous contemporary Bendigo Crèche building, which straddled the Bendigo Creek adjacent to the Alexandra Fountain, has been moved quite a bit. The crèche was ultra-modern. Constructed of large steel beams and stone panels with floor-toceiling glass windows set in diagonals, its footprint was triangular and it hovered over the creek anchored by H Section steel beams. This building lasted in situ for more than three decades until it was removed and dropped into the Tom Flood Sports Centre, deposited out of the way, close to the site of the new Chinese Museum. Its last resting place appears to be somewhere in Spring Gully surrounded by bush. I hope it is being used and well looked after. The original Art Gallery in View Street was covered by a modern frontage half-a-century ago. Thankfully, the original building was not removed but hidden beneath the new works. It has since re-emerged, almost intact, sans the wonderful curved iron-clad veranda, and amalgamated into the recent redesign of the View Street face of the gallery. I rather liked the 1962 renovation, but its hessian-covered interior walls and linoleum-tiled floors showed little empathy for the classic Victorian building to which it was joined. It is such a pity that the old veranda had to be destroyed to allow this redesign. Between the gallery and The Capital theatre stood a copper-domed Victorian edifice built for the Australian Native’s Association. It was demolished and the modern ANA Motel was inserted into the space. It, too, suffered the swinging blow of the wrecker’s ball and made way for the new entrance to the gallery, which does not look all that different to the 1962 face that was also removed at the same time. As I pass down The Mall, I glance at the Myer façade with dismay. Once the premier retail outlet in Bendigo, Myer is falling into disrepair. There is probably an old Victorian shopfront beneath that peeling modern carapace. Bendigo has, at times, chased the lure of modernity and destroyed some of its beautiful old buildings as it raced into the future swinging the wrecking ball. View Street suffered. The glorious Princess Theatre was smashed down to be replaced by an AMOCO Service Station, at a time when a servo on every corner where a grand old pub once stood indicated that Bendigo was ‘A City With Go’, and the automobile was going to take us there, wherever that would be. The AMOCO has also long gone. It seems that it is mostly public buildings that suffer the most. Private homes, some of extraordinary style, have outlived the generations and are revered by Bendigonians. ‘Roseview’ - High Street, Golden Square, circa 1960

Two examples stand alone. One, in High Street, Golden Square, built in 1939 for Tarax Soft Drink founder George Pethard, is unmissable. A glorious example of Streamline Modernism with its rendered curved walls and steel windows – even its fence line and garden remain true to style almost a century after it was built. The other is ‘Bon Haven’ or ‘Bunyan’, built in 1953 for local butcher Clark Jeffrey, a testament to his entrepreneurial enthusiasm for Bendigo, butchery and beauty. He owned several shops and was at times a councillor and mayor. He drove imported, big-finned American limousines, a new one every year. He may have been diminutive in stature but was a giant in achievement. His house on Eaglehawk Road stands above all others, possibly the highest block of land in town, and with three storeys of orange brickwork, curved walls and steel-framed windows, it has proclaimed success for well more than half-a-century. I remember going into this house before the Jeffrey family moved in. My father was measuring it up for floor coverings. I scaled the stairs to the doorway that opened out onto the roof and slid back down on a rug. I may have been about six, but I remember the rug had the image of a tiger on it. The house has stood now for almost 70 years and looks set to reach its century. Bendigo has a proud architectural history. It has some beautiful old buildings, mansions, villas and cottages alike, which have survived into an age where building owners are eager to retain and restore. However, there is nothing at all wrong with modernism. Take in the new addition to the War Memorial. A striking modern construction of rusting steel that fits to the older century-old memorial, and nestles into its environment. It proves that any new building just needs to be well designed, cohesive and appropriate to its function. Good architecture will last for years. Buildings will integrate into the streetscape if they are well considered. Modernity can sit comfortably with classicism and will be embraced by the community if that is the case – if good buildings are just given the time to grow old. Will there be a long-lasting future on Lyttleton Terrace for the new Government Hub? I give it 50 years.

Abby Penrose and Abbey Miles Allirah, Ellahnie-Leigh, Couleyah and Azarah Knight

Supported by community groups and organisations, the event poured on the fun with an animal farm, climbing wall, pony rides, games and much more to keep everyone entertained.

Chloe and Emily Wicks Indi Francis-Wright, Brynne Monro and Bella Francis-Wright

Louis, Tim and Evie Dean Steve, Siera, Levi and Casey

These guidelines were developed in partnership with Marlin Communications. If you have any questions please contact the Dry July Foundation team. +61 2 9247 6691 team@dryjuly.com

Deon, Juliet and Nicole Moodle Lucy Winstone and Ethan O’Toole

Sadie and Jade Field Samantha and Lucas Taylor

This year’s theme was ‘Animal’, with 35 students putting pen to paper to become published authors. The pageturner is filled with poetry, fiction and non-fiction works.