The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) has named the town of Tallangatta as its second ‘Notable Town’.

In the 1950s the town was relocated 8km to higher ground to allow for the expansion of the Lake Hume reservoir. What had been up until that point a typical late-Victorian style town was transformed into one with distinctive 1950s flair. More than 100 buildings were relocated whilst others, such as the town’s civic and commercial buildings, were redesigned in the prevailing architectural style, a restrained modernism. The placement of streets, recreation reserves, commercial and residential lots all display evidence of the careful mid-century planning and zoning of uses.

Tallangatta is only the second town to receive the designation of ‘Notable Town’, the first having been Maldon in 1965. It was only fitting that on the 60th Anniversary of the relocation, and the 60th Anniversary of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), that the town was recognised for its significance as the ‘Town that Moved’.

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Images above: High and low water levels showing remains of the old town.

Tallangatta is located within the Shire of Towong in the north-east corner of Victoria, an area particularly rich in sites related to squatting, selection and mining, and with a unique history brought about by its relative isolation.

In 2003, RBA was commissioned by the Shire of Towong to identify and assess significant sites in the area as part of the Heritage Study. Prior to the study, many places of historical interest had been unprotected.

Community consultation was a key part of the process, ensuring that the values and memories of local residents were represented.

Stage one of the study was undertaken during 2003-2004 and stage two during 2007-2009. The study was approved in November 2013 (Amendment C28).

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Images above:Left-Tallangatta Heritage Museum, Right- Soldiers Memorial Hall

The 60th anniversary of the ‘new’ Tallangatta was marked with the opening of a new library and community centre. The festivities included an exhibition at the Memorial Hall and a walking tour lead by local historian Ray Crispin.

You can find out more about the Towong Shire and Tallangatta’s festivities here. Related articles appeared in the Age, the Bendigo Advertiser, and the Border Mail.

DATE
15 August 2016
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21 June 2023

2023 AIA Victorian Architecture Awards

The 2023 Awards ceremony for the Victorian Australian Institute of Architects was held on Friday the 16th June.

Several representatives from RBA Architects and Conservation Consultants attended the event, where we were proud to receive an Award for Heritage Conservation for the Prahran Arcade Façade Conservation and a Commendation for Heritage – Conservation for the restoration of Doherty House in Tarneit.

Additionally, we were pleased to see Searle x Waldron receive an Award for Architecture for the Joyce Chapel Bridge and Wardle receive The William Wardell Award for Public Architecture for the Bendigo Law Courts – both projects that RBA have been involved in.

Learn more about the Prahran Arcade Facade Conservation here

Learn more about the Doherty House Restoration here

Doherty House, Tarneit (Image: Thurston Empson)

Bendigo Law Courts, Wardle (Image: Tim Griffith)

Prahran Arcade (Image: Thurston Empson)

Joyce Chapel Bridge, Searle x Waldron (Image: Peter Bennetts)

 





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