Facts
about the Mentone RSL building
The building was built in the land boom period around
1884-1886 and was first occupied by C.J.Potts a
Melbourne
solicitor.
Rate books show that in 1920 a Marcella Dawson owned the
property which Potts once had. She owned land around it
in Palermo Street and fronting Naples Road, as well. I
know that the Dawson name was associated with the building
long before 1920. The rate books for that evidence are
now in the hands of the public records office because
they were part of Moorabbin Council's records. This whole
area was in Moorabbin Shire before 1920.In the year 1921-22
Marcella Dawson sold the house to John Allan Anderson,
a solicitor and he kept it at least until 1938 when our
records stop. Marcella Dawson retained ownership of some
land facing Palermo Street.
Our only other reference to the building prior to your
buying it in 1952 was that a M. Lee had it in 1950-51.
The only other thing I can say about it at this point
is that in the period around 1946-7 it was known as a
Riviera Guest House and in those years a woman call O'Brien
operated it.
Mentone RSL was formed during the war years with Johannes
Eddelbuttel as secretary, while Fred Bryant served for
years as President. Diggers from the Great War and the
returning service personnel fro World War 2
swelled its ranks, making it necessary to have a
permanent meeting place for social activities. Fund-raising
began and the RSL temporary hall was built in Balcombe
Road near the railway, the volunteer workers having it
ready for an opening before Christmas in 1945. |
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Some locals were very generous and practical in their
support
of service personnel. One of these was J. Allan Anderson,
a solicitor who handled council legal matters, and a
member
of the Anglican community who had supported the foundation
of the Mentone Grammar School. Anderson and his family
provided hospitality and entertainment for troops on
leave in
his home, 'Riviera' that would later become the RSL
rooms.
The Andersons had done the same in the early 1920s
when returned men were welcomed to functions in appreciation
of their sacrifices during the Great War. 'Riviera'
was the scene
of many dances and parties throughout the twenty-five
years
the Andersons lived in it. In 1945 they moved out and
the
place became a guest house for the rest of the decade.
Extracts from Leo Gamble |
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