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QUARANTINE By the mid 1800's the influx of immigrants from Europe was increasing and a means of protecting Victoria from diseases such as typhoid and measles was needed. Point Nepean, with its natural isolation, fresh water and rich soil was the preferred site. The arrival of the ship Ticonderoga in November 1852, with its yellow flag aloft, would catapult Point Nepean into the history books. The ship had sailed from Liverpool in early August with over 700 passengers on board. The captain reported at the time that approximately 100 people had died during the 3 month passage and a further 300 were sick with 'scarletina'. The ship and its passengers were quarantined at Point Nepean in temporary tents where another 70 died, all of whom were buried in the beach cemetery. By 1854 several buildings were in use, including a timber doctor's home, a hospital, the original stone Sullivan's cottage, a number of prefabricated iron cottages and a pier. A small limestone one-room 'Shepherd's Hut' survives from the period prior to quarantine use, with its fireplace and cellar. The Quarantine Station operated as the Officer Cadet School from 1952 to 1985, training over 3,000 cadets as career officers with the Australian Army, many of whom led troops in overseas conflicts and peace-keeping missions. Badcoe Hall is a memorial to Major Peter Badcoe, a graduate of the academy, who was killed in Vietnam in 1967. Major Badcoe was one of only four Australian soldiers to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the Vietnam War. From 1980 to 1998 the site was the Army School of Health. In 1998-1999 the site temporarily housed over 400 refugees from Kosovo during conflict in the Balkan states.
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Updated:
9 September 2010
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