Summary
Pen and ink sketch of a girl dating to circa 1941-1945. It was found under the floorboards of the Gallery of the Royal Exhibition Building, when replaced in 1989 as part of a restoration program. Many other items dating back to the 1940s were also found, providing an insight into the lifestyle and interests of RAAF personnel stationed in the building.
The formal wartime occupation of the Exhibition Building began in October 1940, when it was requisitioned for the RAAF under the National Security (General) Regulations. Partitioning work began in January 1941, and on 15 March the RAAF no.1 School of Technical Training was moved to the Exhibition Building from West Melbourne Technical School. Before long the Great Hall and surrounding areas were crowded with Air Force personnel. About 500 to 700 men lived there for varying periods of time; numbers peaked in 1942, when about 2000 personnel were accommodated. The central part of the building was a mess hall. The arena was occupied by a kitchen, laundry blocks, a storeroom and a playing field. The southern and eastern sides of the building were used for parades and drilling. The RAAF remained in control of the Exhibition Building until October 1946.
Physical Description
Pen and ink sketch of girl: Here's a girl who rushed him already, but I'm fussy. Girl is drawn wearing a fur trimmed coat and has hands on hips. Black ink on cream ruled paper.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from Trustees of the Royal Exhibition Building (REB), 1996
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Place & Date Made
Royal Exhibition Building (REB), Carlton, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1941-1945
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Other Association (See Comments)
Publications Unit, RAAF (Royal Australian Airforce) Publications Unit, Royal Exhibition Building, Nicholson Street, Carlton, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1941-1945
This would have been made by an RAAF airman stationed in the Exhibition Building during WWII -
Inscriptions
Text: Here's a girl/who's rushed/him/already/But/I'm/Fussy.
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
16.5 cm (Length), 21 cm (Height)
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Exhibition Collection Management
164 mm (Width), 201 mm (Height)
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Keywords
Artworks, Royal Exhibition Building, Wars & Conflicts, World War II, 1939-1945