Thanksforyourservice- Podcast 55- The secret base at Park Orchards, Victoria

Welcome to podcast number 55 for Thanks for your Service.  Our focus is on historical topics relating to the Australian military.  You can find us on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.  Just search for Thanks For Your Service.  Our website is www.thanksforyourservice.net  .  You can also email us at info@thanksforyourservice.net

The Park Orchards Chalet lies empty in the north east Melbourne suburb of Park Orchards. Originally built as a country club house in 1928, during WW2 the Australian army soon requisitioned the chalet and surrounds.  In 1942 the Chalet became the administrative headquarters of the Land Headquarters Heavy Wireless Group. It’s signallers, numbering up to 400 , set up camp at the nearby oval.  During the war, the Chalet and grounds were used as a transmission and receiving station, and later trained agents setting up clandestine networks for espionage and intelligence as the School for Eastern Interpreters.

Recently, I travelled to Park Orchards and met with David McNiff, the President of the Park Orchards Ratepayers Association.  David tells us about the history of the chalet, and it’s sad state of affairs today.

Pora’s web site is pora.org.au

You can find out more information about the Chalet on our Facebook page.

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