Key 56: University Union [ii] 1938

 

In 1936 following an appeal for funds the Union building was substantially extended and remodelled. The Women's Christmas fete alone, organised by the Town and Gown Guild, raised £6,500 made up to £10,000 by Mrs G. (later Dame Hilda) Stevenson.

University Women's Christmas Fete and pageant, 1936
University Women's Christmas Fete and pageant, 1936
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Image Catalogue, UMA-I-1834]

Spacious Men's and Women's cloak and lounge rooms, a large cafeteria on the ground floor, a buffet for formal occasions on the first floor, a dining hall and a common room for staff and a well-equipped kitchen were added.

Cafeteria, 1938
Cafeteria, 1938
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Image Catalogue, UMA-I-1127]
Centenary dinner, Union House, 1956
Centenary dinner, Union House, 1956
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Image Catalogue, UMA-I-1751]

The interior of the Old Museum was refurbished with a billiard room, club rooms, meeting rooms and offices. At the south end the library endowed by Dr A E Rowden-White, which included gramophone records provided by the Carnegie Corporation, was developed on the first floor.

Dr Rowden White, 1959
Dr Rowden White, 1959
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Image Catalogue, UMA-I-1338]

The Common Room and Entertainment Hall was transformed into a distinctive theatre equipped by Australian Paper Manufacturers.

Aerial view of University of Melbourne, c1938
Late 1930s aerial perspective, showing Union extensions
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Image Catalogue, UMA-I-1081]
Union House, north extension to main building, containing the theatre, early 1950s
Looking south along front of Union building, with new theatre block in the foreground, early 1950s.
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Image Catalogue, UMA-I-1660]