Fremantle Naval Drill Hall

Located at 2 Croke Street and 24 Mouat Street in Fremantle, at the rear of the Naval Headquarters in Cliff Street, the Naval Drill Hall was constructed in 1926. It is now home to Notre Dame University's School of Philosophy and Theology.

 

An old Fremantle Post Office building on Cliff Street had previously been renovated and was used as a Naval Staff Office and training facility, until it was decided to begin constructing their own purposely built Naval Drill Hall. It was stated that the “naval authorities don’t make much noise in the town but they appear to be making some progress”.

 

Some reports state that the old Post Office was repurposed specifically as a ‘Drill Hall’, whilst others state that the King’s Warehouse nearby was leased by the Royal Australian Navy for a Drill Hall over 13 years, until the Mouat Street facility had been constructed.

 

Construction Starts

Tenders for constructing the Navy Drill Hall and associated offices, was advertised in The West Australian by the Public Works Director in November 1925.

 

Work began in February 1926, highlighting the importance of new attractive buildings amongst the neighbouring dilapidated structures in close proximity to the Naval Drill Hall, such as an old fire station consisting of a stable-like of wood and iron structure.

 

Towards the end of construction, a committee was formed from representatives of naval trainees, 23rd Battery and the Australian Garrison Artillery, in a bid to “foster a social element in the training of these units”.

 

The Naval Cadet Training Centre opened on 08 October 1926, celebrated with a grand ball that saw no less than 180 couples on the floor. It was given the name HMAS Cerberus V. Not only was it the largest drill hall in Australia but sailors could almost potentially become fully trained without going to sea.

 

With the very large main hall of approximately 130ft x 90ft constructed to modern standards and all the necessary fittings for appliances, a number of instruction rooms filled the two-storey portion of the building.

 

Crew members from the H.M.A.S. Marguerite, which arrived in Fremantle towards the end of September, attended the opening night ball, which was a huge success.

 

Dance Hall

A number of balls would go on to be hosted at the Naval Drill Centre, from local navy crews to those visiting from the Eastern States, such as the crew from H.M.A.S. Canberra in January 1929 and more importantly, the annual Naval and Military ball.

 

Unfortunately during the late 1930s, a number of cars parked outside the Naval Drill Hall were targeted by thieves, whilst balls were in progress. Fremantle police maintained watch of the area and in a short time, nabbed their first thief, a 19 year old labourer who’d stolen a xylonite (plastic) clothes brush from one car. He was also found to be in possession of a large amount of articles that appeared to have been stolen from others.

 

Sporting Events

A number of boxing events were held in the drill hall over the years, particularly during the late 1920s and early 1930s. One match held in August 1935 between the Navy and Army, saw the Navy win by 18 points to 11.

 

Badminton matches were also played by a cross section of the community, as well as military members. One match in August 1939 saw the Fremantle Worker’s Club play against the Johnston Memorial Church, the latter including two female players on their team.

 

Ancillary Uses

The Fremantle Naval Band, “the champion ‘C’ grade Band of WA”, held their rehearsals at the Naval Drill Hall every Tuesday evening. They publicly played a number of times a year, including for the visit of the Duke and Duchess in May 1927.

 

A hearing by the Commonwealth Public Service Arbitrator was conducted at the Naval Drill Hall in November 1927, to hear evidence from Customs Department’s investigation officers. They were classified at a salary range of £384 to £510, yet had claimed a range of salaries between £450 to £558.

 

The call for Gunners was announced in August 1938 to join the 7th Heavy Artillery Brigade in defending the Australian coastline. Enlistments were held at the Swan Barracks in Perth, as well as the Naval Drill Hall.

 

Upon the Drill Hall being commissioned on 01 August 1940, “which is the custom for large or permanent navy bases”, it was renamed HMAS Leeuwin. Home to the school of naval recruits and cadets, who would attend training and instruction in "seamanship, gunnery and navigation" prior to their departure to fight in WW2.

 

One of the last events to be held in the Drill Hall was the Fremantle Industries Fair in 1947.

 

Repurposed

The Commonwealth Maritime Safety Authority took over the building in 1964, altering the exterior and using the building for their workshop and offices.

 

Thanks to the personal intervention of Prime Minister Paul Keating in 1994, Notre Dame University acquired the Drill Hill from the Commonwealth Government in March 1999 (p14). They undertook a major extension of their Fremantle campus and continue to occupy the building today for a variety of purposes, including staff offices.