Maryborough Boys Grammar School Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maryborough Boys Grammar School Building |
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Former Maryborough Boys' Grammar School from SW, 2009
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| Location | Kent Street, Maryborough, Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1881 |
| Architect | John Richard Hall |
| Architectural style(s) | Gothic |
| Official name: Maryborough Boys Grammar School (former), Adult Education Centre | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600697 |
| Significant period | 1880s–1890s (historical) 1880s–1900s (fabric) |
| Significant components | school/school room |
| Builders | H Taylor |
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The Maryborough Boys Grammar School Building is a historic school building located on Kent Street in Maryborough, Australia. It was designed by architect John Richard Hall and built in 1881 by H Taylor. This building is also known as the Adult Education Centre today. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 because of its important history and design.
Contents
Building a Grammar School in Maryborough
The former Maryborough Boys Grammar School was built in 1881. Its design came from a Brisbane architect named John Hall. This school was created because of a special law called the Grammar Schools Act 1860. This law said that if a town in Queensland could raise £1000, the Queensland Government would give them the same amount. This money would help build a grammar school in their town.
Early Efforts to Start the School
In February 1871, people in Maryborough started talking about building a grammar school. The local council supported the idea. They even agreed to provide land for the school. A public meeting was held in March 1871. Everyone was excited about the school. A committee was formed to raise the £1000 needed. They knew that the government would then add £2000 more.
By November 1871, the Queensland Government set aside land for the school. This land was about 7 acres. However, raising the money was slow after the first burst of excitement. In February 1876, the government cancelled the land reserve.
Renewed Efforts and New Land
In February 1877, the Queensland Premier George Thorn was surprised Maryborough didn't have a grammar school yet. He said more land would be available if they tried again. This made leading citizens try harder. They raised over £900 by April 1878. By July 1878, they had £1340.
In February 1879, the government officially appointed trustees for the school. These were important local people. The trustees decided to stop fundraising at £1500. This would allow them to get £3000 from the government. They expected the building to cost £4000.
Designing the School Building
In June 1879, a competition was announced to design the school. Architects were asked to design a two-storey brick and stone building. It needed classrooms for 50 boys. It also needed six rooms and a kitchen for the teachers. The total cost should not be more than £4000.
In September 1879, Maryborough architect E.G. Porter won first prize. Brisbane architect Arthur Josling won second prize. But the Queensland Colonial Architect F.D.G. Stanley didn't like either plan. He told the trustees to ask Brisbane architect John Hall to design the school instead. John Hall was a well-known architect. He had designed many important buildings in Queensland.
Debates Over Location and Students
While the design was being sorted out, other questions came up. In August 1879, people wondered if the school would be for boys and girls, or just boys. In November 1879, concerns were raised about the proposed location. It was near a lagoon and a pub. People worried students might swim in the lagoon and get sick. They preferred a site on Kent Street, closer to town.
On 6 March 1880, the trustees asked for building bids based on John Hall's design. But the site was still not decided. A public meeting voted against the lagoon site. They wanted the "Kent Street site" instead. This site was next to the Maryborough Central State School.
The Minister for Education, Arthur Hunter Palmer, was hesitant to decide. He asked the trustees to find out what most people who donated money wanted. The site was still undecided when the building bids were due.
Getting Ready to Open
Even without a site or a builder, the trustees announced the school would open in February 1881. They started looking for teachers. They planned to hire a headmaster, two other masters, and a "lady principal." The idea of a lady principal suggested they might teach girls too.
On 18 June 1880, the trustees accepted a bid from builder H Taylor. But they still had no site! Finally, on 10 July 1880, the ten-acre site on Kent Street was officially approved by the government. Construction of the school could finally begin.
In early December 1880, the trustees advertised for the headmaster and second master. In February 1881, they started looking for the "lady principal" for a Girls' Grammar School. They chose James Murdoch as headmaster. He was a professor of Greek. Arthur Hughes from Cambridge University was chosen as the second master.
The School Opens Its Doors
By April 1881, enough money was raised for a Girls' Grammar School. Plans for the girls' building were submitted. The lady principal, Miss Budget, arrived in Maryborough in early August. Headmaster Professor Murdoch also arrived.
In June 1881, it was announced that Maryborough Grammar School would open on 5 September 1881. In August 1881, it was confirmed that both boys and girls could enroll. The school opened with little fuss on 5 September 1881. There were 50 students at first: 24 boys and 26 girls.
In September 1881, land was set aside for the girls' school. It was directly across Kent Street from the boys' school. Building work for the girls' school started in October 1881.
Today, the building is used for adult education.
What the Building Looks Like
The former Maryborough Boys Grammar School building is a large, two-storey building. It stands on a hill on the western edge of Maryborough's main business area.
The building is a great example of the high Victorian Gothic style. This style uses pointed arched windows and steep, gabled roofs. It also has decorative brickwork and a grand, impressive look. The building is designed to be symmetrical, meaning it looks the same on both sides. It faces the former Maryborough Girls' Grammar School across Kent Street.
The building has two steeply gabled roof sections. These are connected by a central section with a hipped roof. It is built from red brick with special stone-like details. The roof is now covered with modern corrugated iron. The building also has one-storey verandas. These have sloped roofs supported by timber posts. They also have decorative wooden borders.
When the building was finished, not everyone liked its design. The local newspaper, the Maryborough Chronicle, praised the large classrooms. But it said the windows were too small, calling them "jail windows." The newspaper also disliked most of the outside look. It used words like "ugly" and "lopsided." It even called the style "Modern Chaotic."
Why This Building is Important
The former Maryborough Boys Grammar School Building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it is a very important historical place.
- Shows Queensland's History: This school building shows how Maryborough grew in the 1870s and 1880s. The town became big enough to raise money for a large grammar school. It was the second grammar school of its kind in Queensland, after Brisbane's.
- Great Example of a Style: The building is a wonderful example of the 19th-century Gothic Revival style used for schools. Its steep roofs, special details like pointed arches, and brickwork all show this style. It is typical of grammar schools built in Queensland during that time.
- Looks Beautiful: The building is well-designed and interesting to look at. It's a good example of Gothic Revival style adapted for Queensland's climate. It stands out and is a landmark in the town.
- Important to the Community: This building has been a place of public education since the late 1800s. It has a special connection with the people of Maryborough.
- Connected to a Famous Architect: The building is a good example of the work of Brisbane architect John Hall. It shows his skills and is still in great condition.
