The history of an unused wartime hostel in Mulwala NSW, transported to Canberra as a temporary home for the growing number of young Public Servants in the late 1940s, has been chosen by ArchivesACT as its popular Find of the Month for February.
In a statement accompanying the Find, the Archives said that in 1946 Canberra was facing a crisis with an influx of Public Servants taking up new posts in the Commonwealth Government.
“Whilst plans were already under way for two permanent hostels in Braddon and Barton, the requirement for housing in Canberra had become urgent,” the Archives said.
“The newly vacated war workers’ hostel at Mulwala was recommended as a good solution, easily transportable and quick to re-erect, and with some minor adjustments able to offer accommodation for up to 144 people.”
It said that from the food provided, to the rooms and shared facilities, Mulwala House was designed with young white collar singles in mind and the records reflected their lives accordingly.
The final build would include six accommodation blocks of 24 single rooms each, a community centre and a block for staff quarters.
“A recreation room was also included, and access to a public phone, although it took some months due to the unavailability of phone lines,” it said.
“Mulwala House was relocated in the city on the edge of the Commonwealth Gardens and between the Roman Catholic Presbytery and the Olympic Pool.”
Archives said the Public Service Board raised some issues regarding the new accommodation as, with no bus services, the Board considered the location to be “somewhat isolated”, and noted that returning to the location on foot after dark could be quite difficult.
Archives’ records end in 1959 when the management of Mulwala House was taken over by Commonwealth Hostels Ltd.
“What we do know is that Mulwala House was in the direct path of the Parkes Way extension … the house was closed and the last residents relocated to the newly completed Macquarie Hostel at Barton on the 12 April 1969,” Archives said.
“In 1997 the National Capital Authority dedicated a plaque in Commonwealth Gardens on the remaining site of Mulwala House (pictured), and some of the original plantings can still be seen in the vicinity.”
Archives has invited readers who may have stayed in a Government hostel in Canberra to share their experiences with it.
“Drop us a line at [email protected] or tweet about it and don’t forget to include @ArchivesACT,” it said.
