Unseen Adelaide – Page 19 of 45

January 2, 2016

Urban Exploring: Prospect Air Raid Shelter

It was the early 1940’s. Japanese submarines fired torpedoes in Sydney Harbor and its Air Force began its bombing campaign against Darwin. Fearing we were next, State and Local Government built a network of Air Raid Communication Centres across Adelaide to coordinate a local response to air raids by the Japanese.

One of the Air Raid Shelters, located at Prospect, has sat disused for 10 years. For a time it was used by the Scalextric Club, the Prospect Boy Scouts, St John Ambulance Service for training, and at one time, a ham radio operators’ centre. Water penetration and neglect have rendered the structure non-functional.

Prospect Air Raid Shelter — Awesome Adelaide — The Prospect Air Raid Shelter.

The Shelter is one of only four of its kind left in the Adelaide area, with the remaining three at South Road in Torrensville, Rugless Terrace in Glenelg, and Oxford Terrace in Unley. A similar shelter, the Islington Air Raid Shelter, was not built for communications but for storage of emergency food, blankets and other supplies.

Prospect Air Raid Shelter Plans — Awesome Adelaide — The design for the Air Raid Shelters was drawn up by the Engineering and Water Supply Department of South Australia (now SA Water). (Photo courtesy Prospect Local History Group)

This January, the Prospect Council will vote on whether to demolish the structure or restore it. A local History Group hopes the shelter will be re-used as an interpretive history centre highlighting aspects of the area during World War II. However not having local heritage status, we fear its fate is already sealed. Make your voice heard.

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December 12, 2015

Urban Exploring: Godric’s Hollow

It’s 8pm and the queue here is long. It’s the mid-60’s and Godric’s Hollow has quickly become the “in” place to be. Down a flight of threaded carpet stairs it’s standing-room only: the seats all taken by an eager crowd. They’re here to see some of Adelaide’s best music performers.

Godric's Hollow — Awesome Adelaide — A popular Adelaide singer first started singing here in the 1960s. It was at this time her career blossomed.

Fast-forward fifty years and it’s now no more than a collection of empty dusty rooms. It went through a number of transformations before finally closing its doors in the 1980’s. Whats left of Godrick’s Hollow now resides hidden and undisturbed beneath the streets of Adelaide.

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November 21, 2015

Urban Exploring: The Proscenium Nightclub

Starting out its life as the Club Foote Nightclub it quickly became one of Adelaide’s premier entertainment venues. As disco fell out of fashion, the 80’s saw the emergence of dance music. It was the early days of raves. They were held secretively — you had to phone a telephone number just before the event to be told the venue. All these elements combined to make Club Foote a success with the younger generation.

In the early 90s it became the iconic Proscenium Nightclub — playing 80s, 90s and alternative music. It became a huge hit with Adelaide’s goth crowd; with ‘Goth Balls’ being held there regularly.

However, for the last 10 years it has sat disused. Flooding and age-related rot had taken their toll. Many treasured memories were undoubtedly made here. But like all good things, they must end. It was finally time to rest.