Wilson Hall: a lost treasure

Over the years, Carlton has seen many fine buildings lost – to demolition, neglect, fire and developers. One of the finest was the original Wilson Hall in Melbourne University.

For many decades it served as the main venue for examinations, conferring of degrees and other ceremonial occasions at the University, until it was lost to fire in 1952.

The name of the hall commemorates its original benefactor, pastoralist and former politician, Sir Samuel Wilson. In December 1874 the University received a bequest of £30,000 from that gentleman to erect a ceremonial hall “of suitable dignity, in which the examinations of an annually augmented body of students may be held, and in which degrees may be conferred with the solemnity usual in other kindred seats of learning”.

In late 1875 noted local architect Joseph Reed submitted plans for an impressive hall in the English Perpendicular Gothic style, to be constructed in stone on a very generous scale. Work on its construction did not commence until 1878, and it was completed by 1882.

For the next 70 years, Wilson Hall was the venue used by the University for examinations, conferring of degrees and other ceremonial occasions.

However, on a hot, gusty mid-summer afternoon in January 1952, while the hall was undergoing some restoration work in preparation for the University’s centenary celebrations, the roof timbers caught fire.

As thousands watched on, the building burnt, together with some of the records and artworks that were stored in its basement, and the recently installed memorial window to honour Melbourne women graduates.

There was little that could be done to halt the spectacular blaze. In the end the fire damage was so severe that the building had to be demolished. As a result, the University’s centenary celebrations had to be postponed until 1956.

In the wake of the fire, the University initially decided to rebuild the hall as it was. But the cost involved was prohibitive.

Instead, a decidedly modern design by architectural firm Bates, Smart and McCutcheon was decided upon. This, however, was constructed on the bluestone foundation walls of the original building and incorporating stone rosettes from the old hall in the textured brickwork of the south wall.

The new Wilson Hall, which is still in use today, was opened in 1956. •