|
History
|
The "air raid shelter" was built in 1942 at a cost of approximately two thousand pounds, shared by the Prospect Council and the State Government.
Mr Charles Williamson, at that time an Elected Member of Prospect Council and later the Mayor, was the Chief Air Raid Warden in Prospect. Mr Williamson received an MBE for his services to the community, largely in respect of his efforts during the War.
A standard design for district air raid shelters, to be used as communication centres, was drawn up by the Engineering and Water Supply Department. The plan showed provision for telephonists, message clerks, liaison officers, messengers, casualty liaison and fire liaison.
After the war, the shelter was used by the St John Ambulance Brigade and the North Adelaide Football Club. Between 1965 and 1973, it was used by the SA Police Model Car Club and then the SA Police Pistol Club as a meeting room until 1976.
Mr Charles Williamson, at that time an Elected Member of Prospect Council and later the Mayor, was the Chief Air Raid Warden in Prospect. Mr Williamson received an MBE for his services to the community, largely in respect of his efforts during the War.
A standard design for district air raid shelters, to be used as communication centres, was drawn up by the Engineering and Water Supply Department. The plan showed provision for telephonists, message clerks, liaison officers, messengers, casualty liaison and fire liaison.
After the war, the shelter was used by the St John Ambulance Brigade and the North Adelaide Football Club. Between 1965 and 1973, it was used by the SA Police Model Car Club and then the SA Police Pistol Club as a meeting room until 1976.
In 2018, public tours began at the shelter, run by volunteers of the Prospect Local History Group.
In 2019, WW2 Honour Boards and a large external mural, depicting the civil defense response in WW2, were erected, funded by the City of Prospect. Northpoint Toyota generously funded the painting of the outside walls.
On 16 December 2021 confirmation of State Heritage listing: https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/environment/docs/Heritage/SA-Heritage-Register/26512-Former-Prospect-ARP-Sub-Control-Station-confirmation-summary.pdf
Prospect Local History Group volunteers have made a significant contribution to the development of the air raid shelter over the past 10 years or so: many hours of research, maintenance, tours, design of information panels and publications, writing of grant applications, advocating for the preservation and upgrading of the shelter, liaising with Council.
The Prospect Local History Group acknowledges the ongoing contribution and support of the City of Prospect to the restoration and development of the Prospect Air Raid Shelter, recognizing its importance as a unique feature in the history of Prospect.
In 2019, WW2 Honour Boards and a large external mural, depicting the civil defense response in WW2, were erected, funded by the City of Prospect. Northpoint Toyota generously funded the painting of the outside walls.
On 16 December 2021 confirmation of State Heritage listing: https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/environment/docs/Heritage/SA-Heritage-Register/26512-Former-Prospect-ARP-Sub-Control-Station-confirmation-summary.pdf
Prospect Local History Group volunteers have made a significant contribution to the development of the air raid shelter over the past 10 years or so: many hours of research, maintenance, tours, design of information panels and publications, writing of grant applications, advocating for the preservation and upgrading of the shelter, liaising with Council.
The Prospect Local History Group acknowledges the ongoing contribution and support of the City of Prospect to the restoration and development of the Prospect Air Raid Shelter, recognizing its importance as a unique feature in the history of Prospect.