Following on from the Lismore App's story in August about the demolition of the rest of TAFE Lismore's buildings, including the old heritage-listed Drill Hall, the President of the Richmond River Historical Society, Dr Robert Smith, has expressed his dismay.

"This comes with no consultation by TAFE NSW with the Lismore community, and after assurances in January 2024 from the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, that TAFE NSW would be retaining its presence in Lismore.  

“It is good to see that some buildings have been retained as part of the TAFE site, but more should be done to retain historically significant buildings.  I call upon TAFE NSW to sit down with community groups to discuss options for retaining the historically significant former Drill Hall.”

Dr Smith noted that the former Drill Hall, known as Building B, was completed in January 1906 for the purpose of training active citizen soldiers.  The official opening took place in July 1906. In the years before World War One, land adjacent to the building was added for the purpose of military training.  That area is now used for car parking.

"As well as being used for training, the building was a centre for enlistments during World War One, during which time about 3,500 recruits from across the Northern Rivers and beyond were processed there before being sent overseas. This was a remarkably high recruitment —fifty per cent more than equivalent rural centres such as Bathurst or Armidale at the time, and is a key pointer to a distinctive Northern Rivers identity. The former Drill Hall is a remaining tangible focus for this major event in the region.

"The Hall was also a part of local defence during World War II. Militia units that have used the building over its long history include the Scottish Rifles, 15th Light Horse Regiment and the Byron Scottish Regiment.  The latter was the predecessor of the 41st Battalion Royal New South Wales Regiment, whose headquarters are at Byron Barracks in East Lismore.

"It should be remembered that the Drill Hall and the Scout and Girl Guides buildings in Magellan Street were all used for military purposes during World War II. Men enlisting in the Army were first examined in the Scout building before going for training and overseas service.

Dr Smith noted that the heritage study conducted for TAFE NSW notes the history of the building towards its historic significance.  It also comments on the current state of the building, which is flood-damaged but not destroyed. Contrary to some comments, the asbestos found on the site is in other, more modern buildings, not the older Drill Hall.

"One comment in the report is that many drill halls of similar design were constructed during the early 20th century, including one in Casino. That was saved for community use and now houses the Northern Rivers Military Museum."