RAAF Base Rathmines

The Awabakal were the first peoples of Lake Macquarie. Awaba is the Aboriginal name for the region and Ninkinbah was the Aboriginal name for Lake Macquarie. There are several sites within Rathmines Park that demonstrate Aboriginal use of the area and provide local Aboriginal people with a tangible link to past land use practices. which influenced the establishment of other services such a school and post office. RAAF Base Rathmines was used as a ground-training base for, among others, officers, senior non-commissioned officers, physical training instructors, national servicemen and recruits until being closed in 1960/61. When the base closed, a large hangar, complete with electrically operated doors and used for servicing seaplanes, was pulled down and half of the very high building shipped to RAAF Base Richmond to house the RAAF's then-new C-130 Hercules aircraft. Flying units based at RAAF Rathmines at different times included: • No. 9 Squadron • No. 11 Squadron • No. 20 Squadron • No. 40 Squadron • No. 41 Squadron • No. 43 Squadron • No. 107 Squadron • No. 3 Operational Training Unit • Seaplane Training Flight • Search and Rescue Wing == Description ==

The Rathmines RAAF Base is on the western shore of Lake Macquarie. The design and construction of the base at the beginning of the Second War resulted in a geometric layout of structures over the site which reflect its use for military purposes. When the base closed in 1956, there were more than 230 buildings and structures on site. In 1997, ten remained: • The officers mess, adapted for use as the Rathmines Bowling Clubhouse • Part of the north-east hangar, adapted for use as the Christadelphian School • The inflammable liquids store, adapted for use as the Scout Hall • Substation No.2, now empty and not in regular use • The airmen's ablution building, adapted for use as Rathmines Catamaran Clubhouse • The picture theatre and gymnasium building, adapted for use as Rathmines Community Hall • The central boiler house, now stripped and used as a store • The emergency power house, now stripped and used as a store • The sergeants mess, adapted for use as Westlakes Music Centre • The base hospital and facilities, now owned and operated by Disability Life Enrichment Ltd and incorporating the Catalina Conference Centre. In 1997, the former picture theatre and gymnasium was the most intact of all the surviving structures and had the most original fabric. It was one of the base's largest, most important buildings. The cinema hall is the largest in volume with a stage flanked by dressing rooms at the north-east end. Beyond is the former gymnasium, though it has been altered and subdivided. Other structures also on the site in 1997, many altered or adapted, include: • A concrete stormwater channel • The bomb and fuel wharf, partly rebuilt • Part of the Marine Section timber wharf, now rebuilt as the "F" wharf • The jetty and slipway complex at Styles Point • The concrete apron area • The bitumen hardstanding • The parade ground • The first septic tank installation • The second septic tank installation In 1997, there were also many remains of structures on site, including: • The pump house and duty pilots tower • The general stores building • The celestial trainer • The aircraft stores • The motor transport building • The parade ground saluting base • The central ironing room and laundry • A remnant of the south boundary fence • The battery room • The western hangars Condition In 1997, there was a significant amount of remaining physical evidence from the war time use of the Rathmines Base. The elements which remained varied in condition. Some have been largely altered and adapted for new uses, and some are in disrepair. There are two Aboriginal Artifact Scatters (one scatter and one isolated find) and a midden recorded within the area. Modifications and dates Following sale in 1962, several structures were leased: picture theatre and gymnasium for Rathmines Community Hall; flammable liquids store for Scout Hall; airmen's ablution block for Sailing Club; officers' mess for Rathmines Bowling Club; sergeants' hall for Westlake Music Centre. The base hospital was sold to private interests and the workshops to a Bible School. Many buildings were also sold and removed. The Catalina Memorial was constructed on the site in 1972. == Heritage listing ==

The Rathmines RAAF seaplane base played a pivotal role in the defence of Australia in World War II. It was the largest seaplane base in the Southern Hemisphere and was the longest serving during the war effort. It is the most intact example of an RAAF WWII seaplane base in Australia. Rathmines Park, former RAAF Seaplane Base was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 25 November 2005 having satisfied the following criteria. :The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales. ::The Rathmines RAAF seaplane base is of state significance played a pivotal role in the defence of Australia in World War II and is therefore of great importance in the pattern of NSW's cultural history. :'''The place has a strong or special association with a person, or group of persons, of importance of cultural or natural history of New South Wales's history.''' ::The Rathmines RAAF Seaplane Base is of State and Local significance for its strong and special associations with service personnel that served at the Base during and after World War II. :The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales. ::The surviving buildings and remnant structures are of state significance for the ability to demonstrate the large scale, configuration and function of the RAAF seaplane base as a military establishment. The remnant fabric coupled with open clearings and sitting along on the banks of Lake Macquarie demonstrates the important relationship between the seaplanes and the water. It is an aesthetically distinctive landscape which has landmark qualities. The Rathmines RAAF Base has significant association with technical innovations and capabilities of the Catalina flying boats that made significant contributions to the defence of Australia during WWII. :The place has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. ::The Rathmines RAAF Base is held in high esteem by the local community, ex-service personnel and Catalina aviator enthusiasts. The site is of significance to the Awabakal Peoples of the local area. :The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. ::Remnant above ground and sub-surface fabric may have state significance for their potential to yield further information as a source of physical evidence to interpret the range of operations of a large defence seaplane base during WWII. The scale of the surviving evidence makes it an important benchmark for such sites. The site also contains two Aboriginal Artifact Scatter sites and a midden area that has potential to yield further cultural information about the Awabakal Peoples of the area. :The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. ::The Rathmines RAAF Base was the major WWII boat base in NSW, and is the only known example in NSW with surviving fabric. :The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales. ::The Rathmines RAAF Base is rare and of state significance as a major WWII seaplane base in NSW, and is the only known example in NSW of its type. == See also ==