Oakleigh Chambers: new name for 100th birthday

Published on 14 April 2022

In recognition of its 100-year history, we’ll be changing the name of the Monash Seminar and Training Centre to the Oakleigh Chambers.

The building, at 1A Atherton Road Oakleigh, was opened in 1921 as the Oakleigh Borough Council Chambers and was called the Oakleigh City Council Chambers from 1927 until 1994. The building was then renamed the Monash Seminar and Training Centre after the amalgamation of the City of Oakleigh and the City of Waverley created the Monash City Council in 1994.

The building served as the primary Council meeting venue for the former City of Oakleigh and was also host to the 50th (in 1941) and 100th (in 1991) anniversary celebrations of the City of Oakleigh.

More recently, the building has been used as a public meeting space and a polling place for elections.

Monash Mayor Cr Stuart James said renaming the building would maintain an important link with Oakleigh’s past.

“Council believes that it’s important to recognise the history of the building and the municipality by reinstating the former name of this historic building” Cr James said.

“We’ve consulted with a number of individuals who are knowledgeable and passionate about the history of Oakleigh, and they are supportive of this name change.”

To  celebrate the building’s centenary, we’ll be holding a free public exhibition over the weekend of 18-19 June.

History Monash created the exhibition, which will feature a formal opening reception and two days of public viewing.   Guides will be on hand to explain the significant features of the heritage-protected building, including artefacts from the former City of Oakleigh, and there will be a PowerPoint presentation of old photographs.

Media Contact: Jo Robertson 0418 391 979 or Joanne.Robertson@monash.vic.gov.au