Whelan the Wrecker

James Paul Whelan's obituary of 1938 suggests that his company had the task of demolishing up to 98% of buildings marked for removal in the city alone.

Whelan the Wrecker was by far the biggest demolition company in the city and won the most contracts, and as the company responsible for the demolition of what some saw as part of the national heritage led to calls to preserve what was left; the National Trust of Victoria was formed in 1956, but it wasn't until 1974 that the first legislation allowed for the legal preservation of heritage buildings.

[6] Despite the company's unpopular reputation, the Whelans have always had an appreciation for heritage, and were always ready to salvage parts for re-erection if asked, or even just to store in their yard in Brunswick.

The book A City Lost & Found: Whelan the Wrecker's Melbourne, by Robyn Annear, published in 2006,[4] highlights many examples.

[7] For instance, the bronze sculptural group Charity Being Kind to the Poor over the entry to the Equitable Building in Collins Street was donated to Melbourne University.