Pine Lodge

Inverloch’s iconic building and visionary piece of architecture and local development – Pine Lodge – built in 1930, it is sadly no more! What remains are the two brick pillars, sitting in grand isolation in Ramsey Boulevard, offering a puzzle to many passersby, and a sharp and ugly reminder of the buildings demise in 1985. Numerous citizens of Inverloch and district well remember the loss of Pine Lodge, the vision of Calvert Wyeth, and the employment he offered to many local people over many years. Its loss is still noted, for it was a truly historical and South Gippsland masterpiece, with features and activities way beyond its time.

The architectural style was clearly American, described accurately as “Country Club”, as seen by Cal Wyeth on his visit to America. Offering holidays and luxury accommodation, the all-round package deal offered to prospective clients (the ‘well-heeled’ fraternity of Melbourne and country Victoria), Pine Lodge offered wide-ranging activities which included swimming, horse riding, golf, billiards, dancing, shooting, tennis, boating, sightseeing and all-round relaxation. All this in the 1930’s at the height of the Depression!  Its overall privacy and activities were like a magnet, wherein the quietness and seclusion of Inverloch the holidaymaker could unwind.

Pine Lodge was special, with electric light, hot and cold water to bedroom basins, septic toilets and a garage for your car. Few Victorians had such features in their houses or even a car. Cal Wyeth carried out a water management plan which would be the envy of many people today. His menu for luncheon and dinner was written in French. The evening dinner was continued by coffee in the lounge. Dancing usually followed, accompanied by a player piano, complete with many rolls, or on weekends an actual small dance orchestra.

Guests at Pine Lodge were expected to dress correctly at all times, especially for evening dinner and entertainment. Cal Wyeth always set the standard himself by his dress and the manner in which he conducted himself. Guests and staff were always addressed as Mr., Mrs. or Miss.  Familiarities, by using your first name was a clear no-no! The 1930’s were clearly the highpoint of Pine Lodge, with many distinguished public figures enjoying their time at Inverloch – judges, lawyers, politicians, business people and some international figures.

As the years rolled by, with the interruption of World War 2 and Pine Lodge being taken over by the Royal Australian Navy as a hospital, not being returned to Cal Wyeth until 1947 (and in poor condition contrary to an agreement with the Government), the years that followed were difficult. Cal Wyeth resumed offering packaged holidays, but times had changed and people had changed. Despite shortages after the war, the general population acquired greater conveniences, which included hot water systems, buying their own houses, fitted out in with modern furniture and colours. The motor car became cheaper for wider ownership, camping and holiday houses became popular in and around Port Phillip and Western Port Bay. As result, the old style, slightly old-fashioned holidays offered at Pine Lodge, lost some of its attraction. Some of the ‘faithful’ continued to holiday in Inverloch, with Cal Wyeth refusing to modernize, saying that people still wanted the old comforts and old values. However, by the late 1960’s, Pine Lodge began offering a different package to the likes of college students, sporting clubs, university groups and church groups. It proved popular, for places for youth and specialized groups were hard to find.

By 1980 a critical point was reached, for the 1930’s buildings did not meet the standards of the 1980’s. The cost of upgrading was huge. The local shire requirements for street schemes, connection to town water, fire security measures and connection to a sewerage scheme were extremely heavy financial requirements that sadly led Cal Wyeth to sell it. At the age of 83, he was a tired man. In 1985 the buildings were demolished overnight, to the shock and amazement of local Inverloch people. Attempts to save the front building with its ‘Country Club’ architecture, failed. All that remains now are the two entrance gate posts.

Canterbury PFA Camp at Pine Lodge, Inverloch – Easter 1947