Building Highlight - Drill Hall Gallery

Building Australia's National University: 75 Years of the Australian National University

While located on the university campus, the Drill Hall Gallery pre-dates the formation of the ANU by several years. The building, originally known as the Drill Hall, was constructed on Kingsley Street in 1940. It was designed by Chief Architect of the Department of the Interior, Edwin Hubert Henderson. The design was typical of the Inter-War Functionalist style and the building became central to the civic life of Canberra.    

The original purpose of the building was to serve as a training facility for soldiers during the Second World War, with the 3rd Battalion Werriwa Regiment based there from 1941-1942.  

In 1982 the interior of the building was remodelled to create one of Australia’s premier contemporary galleries. A decade later the ANU took over management of the Drill Hall Gallery and it has since served as a showcase for the ANU’s art collection and as a venue for temporary exhibitions. Sidney Nolan’s 9-panel panorama, Riverbend, is on permanent display in the Gallery’s Riverbend Room. 

In 2004 the building was added to the Heritage Register. 

 

References

Australian National University 2010, Drill Hall Gallery Heritage Management Plan,  

Drill Hall Gallery, undated (ANUA226-79). Photographer: Bob Cooper, ANU Photographic Services.

Drill Hall Gallery, undated (ANUA226-79). Photographer: Bob Cooper, ANU Photographic Services.

Drill Hall undergoing renovations to be transformed into a gallery space, c. 1982 (ANUA226-79). Photographer: Neal McCracken, ANU Photographic Services.

Drill Hall undergoing renovations to be transformed into a gallery space, c. 1982 (ANUA226-79). Photographer: Neal McCracken, ANU Photographic Services.

Design In Use Exhibition at the Drill Hall Gallery, 1 November 1988 (ANUA53-12.4.3.100).

Design In Use Exhibition at the Drill Hall Gallery, 1 November 1988 (ANUA53-12.4.3.100).