Old Perth Technical School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Perth Technical School |
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St Georges Terrace facade in 2018, after commercial refurbishment
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Federation Free/Medieval |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Address | 137 St Georges Terrace |
| Coordinates | Lua error in Module:Coordinates at line 614: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| 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 Old Perth Technical School is a cool old building in Perth, Western Australia. You can find it at 137 St Georges Terrace. It's right next to the Old Perth Boys School, which was actually where the technical school first started its classes way back on May 16, 1900. This special building was designed by a government architect named Hillson Beasley. It shows off a unique style called Federation Free Medieval architecture. It's one of the few buildings like it left in the middle of Perth!
Contents
Exploring the Building's Design
This building has three levels and is made of red bricks. It has strong limestone foundations and fancy Donnybrook stone decorations. There's a square tower that was meant to be in the middle, with cool castle-like tops called castellated parapets.
Inside, the building has amazing wooden details. You'll see jarrah timber panels and beautiful Art Nouveau leadlight windows. A grand staircase, also made of jarrah wood, connects all three floors.
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Stone-carved name above main entrance
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Tower
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Jarrah staircase
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Art Nouveau clear leadlight windows on stairway
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Main entrance and hall
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Detail of leadlight window at entry door
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Leadlight windows at sides of entry porch
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A Look Back at History
The land where the Old Perth Technical School stands has a long history. In the early days of the Swan River Colony, it was part of Henry Willey Reveley's property. He had a clever mill and a pond that fed water down to the river.
Opening and Early Education
The Perth Technical School first opened its doors in May 1900. It was located in the Old Perth Boys School building. Both boys and girls could take classes there. They learned subjects like chemistry, engineering, art, and woodworking.
After the superintendent, Alex Purdie, passed away in 1905, Frank Allen took over. He was also in charge of the Western Australian School of Mines in Kalgoorlie. Allen saw that the school needed a better home.
A New Building for Learning
So, a fantastic new building was designed just for the technical school. It opened in 1910. The school's motto, "Truth, Beauty and Utility," was carved above the front door. This showed how much they believed in the power of technical education.
Frank Allen also added more courses. Students could learn blacksmithing, plumbing, commercial studies, and even engine-driving. The building was designed by Hillson Beasley, who was the chief architect for the Public Works Department. He also designed other important buildings like Western Australian Parliament House.
University Connections
The Perth Technical School was the first place in Western Australia to offer university-level studies. In 1905, students could take exams for the University of Adelaide in subjects like math, physics, and chemistry. By 1908, they even had a biology course that counted towards a Bachelor of Science degree. These university courses continued until the University of Western Australia was created in 1914.
Becoming Perth Technical College
The school started being called Perth Technical College in 1929. During the 1930s, when many people faced hard times, the college wanted to offer more courses.
When World War II began in 1939, things changed. The college received money from the government, which helped them build new facilities. Mining students even used the building's tower in a clever way. They opened special trapdoors to create a vertical shaft, just like a mine!
Later, the college became part of the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) program. More buildings were added or changed to teach subjects like art and refrigeration. The college grew, spreading from St Georges Terrace all the way to Mounts Bay Road.
Famous Students and Teachers
Many important people studied at Perth Technical College. These include:
- Sir Walter James, who was the 5th Premier of Western Australia.
- Sir Billy Mackie Snedden, a former Attorney-General and Treasurer of Australia.
- Architect William G. Bennett.
- Town planner Margaret Feilman.
- Photographer and furniture carver Amelia Bunbury.
- Pioneer aviator Sir Norman Brearley.
- Businessmen Sir James Cruthers and Sir Lance Brisbane.
Lionel Logue, a speech pathologist, also taught at the school from 1910 to 1911.
Saving the Building: Redevelopment Story
In 1985, there were plans to knock down all the buildings on the St Georges Terrace site. This was to make way for new developments. Even the National Trust of Australia (WA) supported this idea at first.
However, a group called "the Castle Keepers" started a public campaign to save the 1910 building. They convinced the premier, Brian Burke, to protect it. The site was very valuable, worth about $19 million in 1985.
Over the years, different companies bought and sold parts of the site. Big plans for a "Westralia Square" development were made but didn't happen. Eventually, in 2003, Kerry Packer sold his share for $19 million, losing a lot of money on the deal.
In 2008, the City of Perth approved plans for a tall, 46-storey tower for BHP. But there was a strict rule: the historic buildings along St Georges Terrace, including the Old Perth Technical School, had to be kept and looked after.
By October 2010, the four heritage buildings were advertised for rent as "heritage office space." They were described as "carefully restored" as part of the City Square project, which finished in 2012. This project is now known as Brookfield Place. The developers made sure to reuse the Old Perth Technical School and other old buildings in a way that respected their history.
Why This Building is Special
The 1910 Perth Technical School building is very important. It was added to the Register of the National Estate in 1989. The National Trust (WA) also recognized its value in 2004. The City of Perth lists it as a significant building, and it was temporarily added to the State Register of Heritage Places in 1998. This means it's a protected and cherished part of Western Australia's history.
