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Blackett and Forster -

Architects of the Barkly Theatre Footscray

rchitect William Arthur Mordey Black-
Aett (1873-1962) energetically promoted
his profession as writer, administrator and
practitioner for more than 50 years. He lec-
tured at the University of Melbourne in the
early years of its diploma course and was later
in charge of the Department in World War I.
He was first president of the Royal Australian
Institute of Architects (1932).

movement was the high quality of the design Other extant work of Blackett and Forster
and craft work in architectural commissions. includes Victor Horsley Chambers (1922) and
Francis House (1927-8), at 12 and 107 Collins
The partnership Blackett and Forster was Street Melbourne respectively. For Francis
formed in 1914 when Blackett was joined by House the firm was awarded the first Medal
his cousin William Blackett Forster. The from the Royal Victorian Institute of Archi-
Barkly (see CinemaRecord 86) is therefore tects.
one of the firm’s early commissions.

William Arthur Mordey Blackett Rarely did a picture theatre offer much scope
for expressing an Arts and Crafts ideal, but the
Blackett supported the rise of the Arts and Barkly certainly showed a commitment to
Crafts Movement from the 1890s and became quality design. The exterior of the firm’s only
its long-serving president in Victoria. The other theatre, the Empire Brunswick (also
movement, with its creed of ‘truth to materi- 1914), with its sculptured baskets, gave a hint
als’, was a revolt against mass produced of this interest.
goods. One characteristic of the Melbourne

As Vice-President of Legacy (1926-27)
Blackett, along with others, was a strong cam-
paigner for the construction of the Shrine of
Remembrance, and he faced fierce opposition
for doing so. His support for this project can
be considered his legacy to building. ✶

References:
Philip Goad and Julie Willis (editors), Ency-
clopaedia of Australian Architecture
Cambridge University Press 2012

George Tibbits, Australian Dictionary of Bi-
ography, volume 7, MUP 1979

Tony Tibballs, personal communication

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