Old Perth Technical School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Perth Technical School |
|
|---|---|
St Georges Terrace facade in 2012, after commercial refurbishment
|
|
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Federation Free/Medieval |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Address | 137 St Georges Terrace |
| Coordinates | 31°57′16″S 115°51′17″E / 31.9544°S 115.8548°E |
| Completed | 1900 |
| Renovated | 2008 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 4 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Hillson Beasley |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 25 June 1993 |
| Part of | Old Perth Boys School and Perth Technical College (2117) |
| Reference no. | 2116 |
The Perth Technical School building, completed in 1910, is a historic landmark in Perth, Western Australia. It is located at 137 St Georges Terrace, right next to the Old Perth Boys School. The Old Perth Boys School was actually used as a temporary home for classes when the technical school first opened in May 1900.
This building is a special example of the Federation Free Medieval architectural style. It was designed by a government architect named Hillson Beasley. It is one of the few buildings of this style still standing in central Perth today.
Contents
Building Design and Features
The Perth Technical School building has three levels and is made of red bricks. It sits on a base of limestone and has decorative trimmings made from Donnybrook stone.
Unique Architectural Elements
A square tower stands tall on the building. It was originally planned to be in the very center. The top of the tower has castellated parapets, which look like the battlements on an old castle.
Inside the School
Inside, you can see amazing craftsmanship. There is beautiful jarrah timber panelling, which is a type of wood. The windows feature art nouveau leadlighting and glass, which means they have colourful, artistic designs. A grand staircase, also made of jarrah wood, connects all three levels of the building.
-
The grand Jarrah staircase inside the building.
-
Art nouveau clear leadlight windows on the stairway.
-
The main entrance and hall of the school.
-
A close-up of a leadlight window at the entry door.
-
Leadlight windows on the sides of the entry porch.
-
The school's name carved in stone above the main entrance.
School History
The land where the Perth Technical School stands was once owned by Henry Willey Reveley in the early days of the Swan River Colony. He had a mill and a pond there, connected by a clever water channel down to what is now Mounts Bay Road.
Opening and Early Curriculum
In May 1900, the Perth Technical School first opened its doors. It was located in the Old Perth Boys School building. Both boys and girls could attend classes. The school taught subjects like chemistry, how to test metals (assaying), engineering, art, design, woodwork, and metalwork.
New Building and Expanded Learning
After the death of the first superintendent, Alex Purdie, in 1905, Frank Allen took over. He was also the director of the Western Australian School of Mines in Kalgoorlie. Allen saw that the school needed better facilities. He pushed for a new, purpose-built technical school, which finally opened in 1910.
The school's motto, "Truth, Beauty and Utility," was carved above the front entrance. This showed the high hopes people had for technical education back then. Frank Allen also added more subjects to the curriculum. These included blacksmithing, carpentry, engine-driving, plumbing, business studies, pharmacy, and surveying.
The Architect, Hillson Beasley
The new school buildings were designed by Hillson Beasley. He was the chief architect for the Public Works Department from 1905 to 1917. Beasley also designed many other important buildings in Western Australia. These include the Government House ballroom, the Western Australian Parliament House, and Perth Modern School. He was known for his style of using red bricks in public buildings.
University Connections
The Perth Technical School was the first place in Western Australia to offer university-level education. In 1905, the University of Adelaide allowed students from the school to take their exams. Students could study subjects like mathematics, physics, science, chemistry, geology, and botany. In 1908, a biology course was added that counted towards the first year of a BSc degree. These university courses continued until the University of Western Australia was created in 1914.
Changes Over Time
The school started being called "Perth Technical College" in 1929. During the 1930s depression, the college wanted to offer more advanced courses, but it didn't have enough resources. However, things changed in 1939 with World War II. New funding helped the school get more buildings and equipment. Mining students even cleverly used the building's tower. They opened trapdoors to create a vertical shaft, like a small mine, for their studies.
Later, the technical college became part of the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) program. More buildings were built or changed to teach subjects like art and refrigeration. The college grew, spreading from St Georges Terrace down to Mounts Bay Road. It also added other campuses, including one in James Street.
Famous Former Students
Many important people studied at Perth Technical College. Here are a few:
- Sir Walter James: He was the 5th Premier of Western Australia, a top leader for the state.
- Sir Billy Mackie Snedden: He served as the Attorney-General of Australia, the country's chief legal officer, and later as the Treasurer of Australia, managing the nation's money. He was also a Leader of the Opposition.
- William G. Bennett: A well-known architect.
- Margaret Feilman: A pioneer in town planning.
- Sir Norman Brearley: A famous early aviator.
- Sir James Cruthers and Sir Lance Brisbane: Successful businessmen.
- Lionel Logue: A speech pathologist who taught at the school from 1910 to 1911. He became famous for helping King George VI with his stammer.
Saving the Building
In 1985, a government agency wanted to knock down all the buildings on the St Georges Terrace site. Even the National Trust of Australia (WA), which usually protects old buildings, supported this plan. The idea was to make way for a big new development.
The "Castle Keepers" Campaign
However, a group of people called "the Castle Keepers" started a public campaign to save the building. They convinced the Premier at the time, Brian Burke, to order that only the 1910 Perth Technical School building be saved. This was a big win for heritage preservation.
New Owners and Development
Over the years, the site changed hands many times. Different companies and wealthy individuals bought parts of the land with plans for huge developments. For example, Kerry Packer and Warren Anderson bought the site in the late 1980s. They had big plans for a project they called Westralia Square.
Later, in the early 1990s, another large development plan fell through. Eventually, Packer sold his share in 2003.
Modern Redevelopment
In 2008, the City of Perth approved a plan for a 46-storey tower on the site for BHP Billiton. This approval came with strict rules to protect the historic buildings along St Georges Terrace, including the Old Perth Technical School.
By 2010, the four heritage buildings, including the Old Perth Technical School, were advertised for rent as "heritage office space." They were described as "meticulously restored." This was part of the City Square development, which was finished in 2012 and renamed Brookfield Place. The developers carefully restored the Old Perth Technical School and other old buildings. They also added new stairways to give direct access to the street for businesses.
Why This Building Is Important
The 1910 Perth Technical School building is very important for its history and architecture. It has been recognized by several heritage organizations:
- It was added to the Register of the National Estate by the Australian Heritage Commission in 1989.
- The National Trust (WA) officially recognized it in 2004.
- The building is also listed on the City of Perth's Municipal Inventory.
- It was temporarily listed on the State Register of Heritage Places in 1998, and then fully listed on 25 June 1993.
