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Produced and published by the School of Historical & Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne
Published July 2008
Published July 2008
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Constructed in 1884-87 for the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society, the Hibernian Hall at 342-346 Swanston Street was renamed several times (Guild Hall from 1907; the Dureau Memorial Building from 1946) before its 1959 reopening as Storey Hall, after Sir John Storey (a longtime council member of the Melbourne Technical College) and his son John (an engineering student who had died in 1947). Other occupants have included the Women's Political Association (from 1916), various commercial and manufacturing companies (from the early 1920s) and Melbourne Legacy (from 1946). Part of RMIT since 1954, it underwent an award-winning refurbishment in 1994-95, with its eye-catching shapes inspired by chaos mathematics. Its vibrant green and purple reflect two significant early uses: Catholic then feminist activism.