The headquarters of the WA Branch of the RSL.

The WA Branch of the RSL moved from the Soliders Institute into ANZAC House in 1934. The current ANZAC House, where our WA headquarters are based, was opened in 1981.

Thanks to the Victoria Cross Library and Archives, we have three photographs to show the transition from RSL “then” to RSL “now”.

"There is an element of sadness about a deserted building, or even a building shorn of former glories and devoted to more mundane uses. 

Therefore while the League joyfully transfers itself to its new home, many of us will heave a sigh for the old wooden walls that have witnessed the growth of our organisation from its inception, the congresses mild or bitter, and the re-unions that rocked the rafters with laughter and song. 

Buildings, especially old buildings, assume the character of those who have used them.  If this is so, what ghosts of yesteryear will haunt the rooms and verandahs of the old Institute?"

The original ANZAC House

Opened on the 5th of October 1934 by H R H the Duke of Gloucester, it was the headquarters of the League until 1976. The building comprises a basement and ground floor, a mezzanine floor, a club and a caretakers floor.

The headquarters of the league were in the basement with an office for the State Secretary, the Perth Sub-Branch, three committee rooms and employment office. The ground floor featured a hall with a specially designed dance floor that was completely sprung and 'radiating boards' receiving special treatment to ensure that the dance floor would not be damaged during concerts. In the club was a lounge bar, billiard room and a miniature rifle range. 

The club floor overlooked the river and also contained the presidents room and the board room for executive meetings. The top floor contained accommodation for the manager of ANZAC House. The foundation stone was laid by his Excellency, the honorable Sir James Mitchell, Lieutenant Governor of Western Australia on the 25th Day of March 1934 which has been transferred to the current ANZAC House and visible in the lobby of the building today.

The Architect responsible for the first ANZAC House was Lieutenant Colonel A R Baxter Cox who was born in Western Australia. He had previously worked on St Mary’s Cathedral, Charles Moore and Co building, the Engineering School at UWA and the Shell Building.  He was described in the Listening Post as “an artist with a practical side to his nature”

The first ANZAC House had many contributors as reported in the September 1934 issue of the Listening Post, a few of which are listed below;

• Bunning Brothers – provided and placed in position the floor
• Boans – were contracted to provide the furnishings and lino
• Barnett Brothers – donated the memorial stain glass window and all the other windows for ANZAC House
• AJ Barker – provided Amat Ice refrigeration in the form of bottle storage cabinet and beer cooling equipment.
• Sub-Branches – 44 sub-branches and auxiliaries contributed funding for the building of ANZAC House.  Press Sub-Branch was the highest contributor with 404 pound 13 shillings 1 penny, followed by South Perth with 275 pound 10 shillings.

The current ANZAC House

ANZAC House on St Georges Terrace was officially opened on the 14th November 1981 by the Hon Sir Charles Court.  As reported in the program celebrating the opening, the new ANZAC House is the result of negotiations with the State Government.  The State Branch surrendered its property to the Crown, the land being required for the new Law Courts.  The cost of building the new ANZAC House was close to 1 million dollars.  With some assistance from Lottery West, ANZAC House was re-opened again on the 27th of January 2006 by Sir Charles Court complete with refurbished facilities. 

Information and pictures are from resources within the Victoria Cross Library and Archive.

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