Victoria Barracks, Melbourne

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Victoria Barracks
Building Information
Location	Melbourne
Country	Australia
Architect	?
Construction Start Date	1856
Completion Date	1872
Style	Renaissance Revival

Located on St Kilda Road in Melbourne, Australia, Victoria Barracks Melbourne is of architectural and historical significance as one of the most impressive 19th century government buildings in Victoria, Australia.

Originally built as accommodation for British Imperial Garrison troops and later Victorian colonial forces, the Barracks housed Army Headquarters from Australian Federation (1901) until the 1960s. The earliest buildings at Victoria Barracks were built by soldiers in the late 1850s, with the original bluestone buildings being constructed between 1856 and 1872. A large extension was made to officers’ quarters in 1917. The Barracks were named in honour of Queen Victoria.

During World War 2, Victoria Barracks Melbourne housed the Australian War Cabinet. The Defence Secretariat occupied the second floor of 'A Block New Wing' (completed in 1918) which also contained the office of senior military staff, the Secretary of the Department Defence (Sir Frederick Shedden), visiting Ministers of State and their secretaries and support staff, and the War Cabinet room. The Prime Minister (John Curtin) also had offices at the Barracks throughout the War.

Victoria Barracks Melbourne currently houses Land Systems Division of the Defence Materiel Organisation, as well as elements of the Joint Logistics Group and Defence Service Group.