Heritage Places

Heritage Place Details

LOCATION
Map Show Map
Address Kaurna Country, 216 Daws Road DAW PARK
Locality
Accuracy H - high level confidence
Development Plan Mitcham Council
Polygon Type B - Building footprint
DESCRIPTION
Details (Known As) Repatriation General Hospital
Registered Name Repatriation General Hospital
Significance The Repatriation General Hospital has a significant association with an international event of profound historical importance to the South Australian community: World War II (criterion (g)). The outbreak of World War II created an immediate need for more hospital beds. In June 1940 the South Australian State Cabinet approved construction of a new 880 bed military hospital for injured soldiers and a site near the corner of Daws Road and Goodwood Road, was chosen and resumed under wartime emergency regulations: the 105 Australian Military Hospital (105 AMH) was formed on 10 June 1941. Despite changes over many years, the essence of the original layout of the site is still discernable in the symmetrical arrangement of the central buildings on the north-south axis, with the original wards to its east. The site is still characterised by comparatively low-scale development interspersed with well-maintained gardens. The surviving wartime buildings and structures, together with later items of a commemorative nature such as the Peace Garden, act as reference points for the unique history of the place. The Repatriation General Hospital has a strong and ongoing cultural association with veterans who served in World War II and subsequent conflicts: strong links with the Returned and Services League and other ex-service organisations (criterion (f)). This association is discernable in the physical fabric and the culture of the place, by reference to wartime experience (various memorials, naming of wards etc, and in the corporate identity promoted by the Hospital). For the generation of South Australians who experienced World War II as servicemen and women, and for their families, the 'Repat' played an important role. As part of their rehabilitation before resuming civilian life, a large number of veterans passed through the Hospital after returning from military service overseas. A considerable proportion of veterans and war widows returned to the 'Repat' for on-going treatment for decades following their military discharge, as indeed many still do to the present day. In its policies and internal culture the hospital has maintained a strong focus on providing specialised medical and social support services to veterans and war widows, and in this respect it represents a unique association with the veteran community in this state. This association is demonstrated in numerous tangible and intangible references to the connections with military history on the site including the naming of wards after battles, Peace Garden dedication, chapel windows, remembrance ceremonies, and the museum. The special association with the Repatriation General Hospital has continued for veterans of post-World War II conflicts and for currently serving members of the military forces.
Subject Index Health - Hospital; Communication (postal and tele) - Post Office; Community facilities - Public Hall; Religion - Chapel; Parks, gardens and trees - Garden; Cemeteries and burial sites - Morgue/Mortuary; Government - Office Building
Class State
STATUS
Status Code REG - Confirmed as a State Heritage Place in the SA Heritage Register
Status Date 13-DEC-2013
REFERENCE
LGA Mitcham
State Heritage ID 26305
Heritage Number 26974
SECTION 16 INFORMATION
Section 16 a - it demonstrates important aspects of the evolution or pattern of the State's history
d - it is an outstanding representative of a particular class of place of cultural significance
f - it has strong cultural or spiritual associations for the community or a group within it
g - it has a special association with the life or work of a person or organisation or an event of historical importance
PLAN PARCEL & TITLE
As listed in the SA Heritage Register
Plan Parcel & Title Information CT 6201/130 D117209 A100,CT 6271/939 D123205 A501

Disclaimer

While due care has been taken to ensure that the SA Heritage Places Database accurately reflects the South Australian Heritage Register and listings of Local Heritage Places in Development Plans, the State of South Australia does not accept liability for the use of the SA Heritage Database for any purpose. Users should consult the Department for Environment and Water - Heritage South Australia to confirm the listing of State Heritage Places and the relevant Development Plan for Local Heritage Places/Contributory Items.

In the majority of cases, the maps of State Heritage Places on this web site show the footprints of the most significant structures on a registered Place. However, sometimes they simply indicate the complete area of land comprising the Place. Work is proceeding to further refine the mapping of such places. It is also important to note that development control is not limited to the registered structures but extends to their setting and structures nearby (what is termed ‘development affecting’ a State Heritage Place). Hence it is vital that exact details of the listed place and implications for any proposed development be discussed with Heritage South Australia staff, as they cannot be deduced solely from the information on this web site. The inclusion of a place in the SA Heritage Register gives no right of public access. Permission to visit properties must be sought from the owners. The accuracy of the mapping of State Heritage Places is not guaranteed. Please contact Heritage SA ( https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/heritage/sa-heritage-register) if you believe there is an error.


GIS files

To access downloadable GIS files, go to Data.SA.