From 1915 onwards the Brunswick Mechanics’ Institute came under the control of the pro-conscriptionist Council. They used it as a recruiting depot for the rest of the war.

The Brunswick Mechanics’ Institute was opened in 1870 as an educational venue providing lectures, classes and a library. By the beginning of the war, however, membership of the Brunswick Mechanics’ Institute had fallen to under 50. However the library was still well used. As a result, in 1915 the Victorian Government passed a motion bringing the Institute under the control of the Brunswick Council.