Armidale Church of England War Memorial Hostel for Girls (Demolished)

Note: This war memorial hostel has been demolished.

Former description: The Armidale Church of England War Memorial Hostel for Girls was a substantial brick building, with back-to-back chimneys, a wide central hall, bay windows, and a bull-nosed front verandah with cast-iron lace trim. In the grounds were established trees and shrubs, including Japonica, a Bunya Pine at the front and a Golden Ash.

The building was originally the private residence of Russell Blaxland. It was known as 'Clemoyne'. The property was purchased by the Church of England with a diocesan memorial fund established in 1919, as the Church wanted to open a boarding home for secondary school girls in Armidale. The purchase price was 25,000 pounds and the final payment was made in 1947.

A number of alterations were completed to prepare the building for its new purpose. These included division and partitioning of rooms, enclosure of part of the verandah, installation of bathrooms and construction of a large northern dormitory in 1942 (Armidale and District Historical Society Journal, No. 39).

The hostel was opened on 11 July 1921, with Miss E.M.F. Rutter appointed as Lady Superintendent. Beds and furniture items were donated and various festivals were held to raise funds. All girl students apart from members of the Church of England were enrolled. The older girls attended Armidale High School and the younger ones attended the Armidale Demonstration School, now Armidale Public School. Over time, the girls came from the New England and North West Regions.

The hostel was closed in 1971 and the site was sold for construction of a motel. All that remains today is the Bunya Pine. 

More on the history of the hostel can be found in the:

• Armidale and District Historical Society Journal, No. 39 - Jean Newall's 'Home From Home'
• Armidale and District Historical Society Journal No. 60 - Judy Tosh and Joan Gates 'Life at the Church of England War Memorial Hostel for Girls in Armidale'
• The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser