:en:Torrens Parade Ground
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Torrens Parade Ground
| image =Torrens Parade Ground.JPG
| caption =Torrens Parade Ground,
view from King William Road
| locmapin = South Australia
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|34|55|4|S|138|36|2|E|display=title,inline}}
| location = King William Road, Adelaide,
South Australia
| beginning_label = Design period
| beginning_date = 1936
| built = 1936
| built_for = Australian Government
| demolished =
| architect =
| architecture =
| owner = Government of South Australia
| designation1 = South Australian Heritage Register
| designation1_offname = Former Torrens Training Depot, including Drill Hall and Parade Ground
| designation1_type = state heritage place
| designation1_date = 11 June 1998
| delisted1_date =
| designation1_partof =
| designation1_number = [http://maps.sa.gov.au/heritagesearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=1686 1686]
| designation1_free1name = Significant period
| designation1_free1value = 1939-45
| designation1_free2name = Significant components
| designation1_free2value = Parade Ground; Military - Drill Hall
| designation1_free3name = Builders
| designation1_free3value =
}}
Torrens Parade Ground, which includes the former Torrens Training Depot and Drill Hall, is a former military facility located in Adelaide, South Australia.
Location and description
The Parade Ground lies behind Government House, between King William Street and Kintore Avenue, with Victoria Avenue on its southern border. The Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden lies to the north-west.
South Australia's Vietnam War Memorial, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander War Memorial (by Robert Hannaford) are located in the grounds.
History
The area was formerly used as a quarry for extracting stone and fill for building government buildings.{{cite web|title=Former Torrens Training Depot, including Drill Hall and Parade Ground|url=http://maps.sa.gov.au/heritagesearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=1686|website=South Australian Heritage Register|publisher=Government of South Australia|access-date=19 December 2017|date=11 June 1998}}
The Torrens Training Depot and Drill Hall were built in 1936.
=Heritage listings=
The parade ground and drill hall were listed on the South Australian Heritage Register on 11 June 1998.
Its significance was reported as follows:
The Torrens Training Depot was built in 1936 and is an excellent example of the Inter-War Stripped Classical style of architecture in Adelaide, particularly as interpreted by architects working for the Commonwealth Government. The strictly symmetrical design of the building and its low scale with simplified classical motifs and Art Deco decorative elements make this one of the most notable buildings in Adelaide of this style to be constructed pre World War Two. The internal arrangement of the building typifies the functional organisation of the Army and its physical requirements. All external detailing which is original to the 1936 building is significant. Internally the open unrestricted form of the drill hall is the most significant aspect. The topography of the Parade Ground indicates the previous use of this area as a quarry for stone and fill for the construction of government buildings, including Government House. [Adapted from Torrens Training Depot Conservation Plan (1992)]
In 1999, it was listed on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate{{cite AHD|101194| Torrens Training Depot, Kintore Av, Adelaide, SA, Australia – listing on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate |date=26 October 1999|accessdate=31 January 2019}}
File:Torrens Parade Ground 2.JPG
File:A&TSI war memorial by Robert Hannaford.jpg War Memorial]]
=21st century upgrades=
In 2002 Premier Mike Rann announced and funded a major restoration and upgrade of the Torrens Parade Ground and its heritage listed "Drill Hall and Training Depot" building, to be used as a headquarters for veterans' organisations,[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-31/iconic-buildings-of-adelaide-the-torrens-drill-hall/7462008?section=sa Iconic buildings of Adelaide: The Torrens Drill Hall] ABC News, 31 May 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2018. and the main office of the History Trust of South Australia.[http://history.sa.gov.au/contact/ History Trust of South Australia] Retrieved 15 June 2018.
In 2021, the government announced that there would be a significant development; the grounds would be ripped up and gardens would be put in its place.{{Cite news|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/calls-to-rip-up-torrens-parade-ground-bitumen-amid-changes-to-torrens-training-depot/news-story/de5fbc3516c35a9926c2902c7a485b3a?amp&nk=3af62325090b89aeda6d2b80d76bdfe0-1640701006|title=Calls to rip up Torrens Parade Ground|newspaper=The Advertiser|date=16 December 2021|last1=Etheridge|first1=Michelle}}
The Drill Hall underwent a major upgrade which was scheduled for completion at the end of January 2023.
Uses
The History Trust of South Australia had its offices in the Drill Hall for 18 years, before relocating in 2022 to allow for the creation of a "veterans' hub" comprising the Department for Veteran Affairs, Returned Services League (RSL) South Australia, Vietnam Veterans Association, Air Force Association, and Legacy Club of South Australia and Broken Hill.{{cite web | title=New North Terrace home for History Trust of South Australia | website=History Trust of South Australia | url=https://www.history.sa.gov.au/blog/new-north-terrace-home-for-history-trust-of-south-australia/ | access-date=12 February 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212100931/https://www.history.sa.gov.au/?cat=0| url-status=live| archive-date=12 February 2023}}
The Torrens Parade Ground and Drill Hall are used as venues for various events, such as for the Adelaide Fringe,{{cite web | title=Torrens Parade Ground & Drill Hall - 17 February - 19 March 2023 | website=Adelaide Fringe | url=https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/venues/torrens-parade-ground-drill-hall | access-date=12 February 2023}} fashion events and one-off markets.{{cite web | title=Adelady + Gathered Fashion Weekend - Torrens Parade Ground - 27 & 28 Aug 2022 | website=Play & Go Adelaide | date=18 August 2022 | url=https://playandgo.com.au/adelady-gathered-sa-fashion-weekend-torrens-parade-ground/ | access-date=12 February 2023}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20121110155330/http://www.defence.gov.au/minister/Hilltpl.cfm?CurrentId=2055 Historic cannons to return to Torrens Parade Ground] (media release, 10 Nov 2002)
- [https://adelaidia.history.sa.gov.au/places/torrens-parade-ground-and-training-depot Torrens Parade Ground and Training Depot] on Adelaidia
Category:Buildings and structures in Adelaide
Category:1936 establishments in Australia
Category:Former military installations in South Australia
category:South Australian Heritage Register
Category:South Australian places listed on the defunct Register of the National Estate
Category:Vietnam War monuments and memorials in Australia