ANZAC Cottage Transfer

The City of Vincent is considering a proposal to transfer ownership of the historic Mount Hawthorn memorial ANZAC Cottage to the National Trust of Western Australia.

The National Trust manages a portfolio of heritage and conservation sites and wants to add ANZAC Cottage to its collection of places that tell the story of the ANZAC spirit.

The National Trust has promised to maintain community connection to the cottage and keep it open to locals if the transfer of ownership goes ahead.

We are inviting feedback on the proposal and giving community members the chance to have their say on the future of the 104-year-old memorial before a decision is made.

History of the Cottage

• ANZAC Cottage was designed to be used as a memorial for those who lost their lives in the tragic Gallipoli landing and a home for returned wounded soldier Private Cuthbert John Porter.
• Members of the Mount Hawthorn community enthusiastically threw their support behind the ambitious project, which was completed in one day on February 12, 1916.
• The Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia WA (VVAWA) took ownership of the rundown cottage in 1991 and restored it over 10 years.
• The VVAAWA gifted ANZAC Cottage to the City of Vincent in 2006 because they wanted to ensure it was never lost to the community.
• ANZAC Cottage was gifted to the City on the condition it was leased back to the VVAAWA. A caveat on the title of the property secured the 36-year lease.
• The VVAAWA would have to surrender the lease and withdraw a caveat over the title of the property to allow the proposed transfer to go ahead.
• The VVAAWA and local community group Friends of ANZAC Cottage have both agreed in-principle to the transfer of the cottage from the City to the National Trust.
• The National Trust has committed to working with the VVAAWA and Friends of ANZAC Cottage to ensure both groups can access the cottage if the transfer goes ahead.

Share your thoughts

To let us know what you think about the proposed transfer of ANZAC Cottage to the National Trust of Western Australia, fill out the quick survey below or contact the City directly on 9273 6000 or mail@vincent.wa.gov.au

Comments are invited until: 5pm Tuesday 22 September 2020.