Queensland Government Printing Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queensland Government Printing Office |
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Government Printing Office (William Street side), 2015
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| Location | 110 George Street and 84 William Street, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1884-1887 |
| Built for | Queensland Government |
| Architect | John James Clark, Francis Drummond Greville Stanley, Edwin Evan Smith |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Government Printing Office (former), Former Government Printing Office, The Printing Building, Sciencentre (110 George Street), Public Services Club (84 William Street), Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (110 George Street) | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600114 |
| Significant period | 1870s-1910s (fabric) 1870s-1980s (historical) |
| Builders | John Petrie, Thomas Hiron |
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The Queensland Government Printing Office is a special old building in Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia. It used to be a place where the government printed important documents. It is located at 110 George Street and 84 William Street.
Famous architects like John James Clark, Francis Drummond Greville Stanley, and Edwin Evan Smith designed it. It was built between 1884 and 1887 by John Petrie and Thomas Hiron. This building has also been known by other names, such as The Printing Building, Sciencentre, Public Services Club, and Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. Because of its history and design, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
Contents
Why Was the Printing Office Important?
The Queensland Government Printing Office was very important for the state's government. It operated from 1862 to 1983. This was the first building made just for government printing in Queensland.
It helped the government run smoothly by printing many things, including:
- Hansard: official reports of what was said in Parliament.
- Postage stamps.
- Government Gazettes: official newspapers with government news.
- Laws passed by Parliament.
- Maps and textbooks.
- Banknotes (money).
Printing these documents was vital for a healthy democracy. It made sure everyone could know what the government was doing. This building's importance was clear because it was built so close to Parliament House.
Early Printing Needs
After Queensland became a separate colony in 1859, it needed its own printing services. Before the official office, a publisher named Theophilus Parsons Pugh printed the first Queensland Government Gazette. Later, William C Belbridge became the first official Government Printer in 1862.
The very first government printing office was a two-storey wooden building. It was designed by Queensland's first Colonial Architect, Charles Tiffin. This building was on William Street.
Where Was the Printing Office Built?
The printing office was built in a special area of Brisbane. Since the 1820s, the north bank of the Brisbane River has been a hub for government activities. This area was first used as a penal settlement for prisoners. When the settlement closed, its layout helped plan the new town of Brisbane.
Streets like William Street and George Street were created based on the old prison buildings. The Government Printing Office was built near other important government buildings. These included Old Government House and Parliament House. This area became known as the "government precinct."
What Was Stephens Lane?
The printing office had a neighbour, an old church that became a telegraph office. The laneway between them was called "Telegraph Lane." Later, it was renamed Stephens Lane. This lane was important for accessing the printing office.
How Did the Building Grow?
As Queensland grew, so did the need for more printing. The first wooden building was changed and added to over time. In 1865, a new brick and stone building was added. It had an underground water tank. By 1872, the complex also had an engine room, workshop, and stables.
The 1872-1874 William Street Building
By 1872, the Government Printer, James Beal, asked for an even bigger building. Francis Drummond Greville Stanley, the Colonial Architect, designed it. He wanted a strong, good-looking building.
The builder, John Petrie, started work in 1872. The new building was finished in 1874. It was made of brick with stone foundations. It had cast iron columns and a steep roof to help with air flow. This new building replaced the first wooden one on William Street. It had an "L" shape and was covered with Welsh slate to prevent fires.
The building had different rooms on each floor:
- Ground floor: Public counter, offices, and a large publishing room.
- First floor: Composing room (where type was set).
- Second floor: Binding room (for finishing books).
The 1884-1887 Expansion
More land was bought in 1883 for even more expansion. Between 1884 and 1887, three new buildings were added. These were also built by John Petrie. They included:
- A three-storey brick building along Telegraph Lane (now Stephens Lane).
- A two-storey brick engine room.
- A two-storey brick Lithographic Office (for printing maps and images).
The design for the Telegraph Lane building is thought to be by John James Clark, who was the Colonial Architect at the time. The engine room was very important. It supplied electricity to Queensland's Parliament House starting in 1886.
Changes to Older Buildings
Over the years, the older buildings were also updated. For example, in 1890, more iron columns were added to the William Street building. In 1892, William Street's level was lowered, so a concrete base was built to protect the building.
In 1903, the level of Stephens Lane was also lowered. The old church next door was knocked down in 1901 to build a new Executive Building.
The 1910-1912 George Street Wing
By the early 1900s, George Street had become more important than William Street. So, a new three-storey brick extension was started in 1910 along George Street. This became the new "front" of the Government Printing Office.
This new wing was built by Thomas Hiron and finished around mid-1912. The design is credited to Edwin Evan Smith, a talented draughtsman. He also designed the sculptures on the building. These include:
- Two freestanding "devils" on the roof above the main entrance.
- A carved devil's head above the entrance.
These "devils" are a traditional symbol in the printing trade, often representing apprentices. A famous sculptor from Sydney, William Priestly MacIntosh, created these details.
The George Street wing connected to the Stephens Lane building and the Lithographic Office. It had a basement, offices, and large rooms for printing and bookbinding. It was considered a model for other government printing offices.
What Happened Later?
Electricity was connected to all the buildings in 1912. Over the years, floors were strengthened, and fire sprinklers were installed.
Military Raids on the Printing Office
The printing office was so important that it was even raided by the military!
- In November 1917, the Australian military raided the office at night. They wanted to seize copies of Hansard because the Federal Government didn't want certain debates about military censorship and conscription to be circulated.
- In August 1918, the military took control of the office again. This time, it was to stop reports about the treatment of Irish and German internees from being printed.
Modern Changes and New Uses
After World War II, the Queensland Government needed more office space. There were plans to demolish many old buildings, including parts of the printing office, to build new high-rise offices. However, people started to care more about saving old buildings. This public concern helped save some historic places.
The Government Printing Office moved to a new location in Woolloongabba in October 1983. Many of the old printing office buildings were knocked down in 1986-1987 to make way for a new Executive Annex and an underground car park.
In 1989, the Queensland Museum Sciencentre moved into the William Street building. This building was restored and renovated. In 1992, the Sciencentre moved into the George Street/Stephens Lane building. The William Street building was then used as the Public Services Club. In 2005-2006, the George Street wing was refurbished for the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
What Does It Look Like Now?
The former Queensland Government Printing Office still has two main buildings: one facing William Street and one facing George Street. There is a paved courtyard between them. These buildings are very strong and have many large windows for light.
The William Street Building
This building is on the corner of William Street and Stephens Lane. It has three storeys and a steeply sloped roof made of slate and steel. The roof has a special row of narrow windows called a clerestory.
The building has a stone base and brick walls. The front of the building has five pointed arches on the ground floor. The entrance is on the Stephens Lane side. The bricks are of very good quality. Carved stone brackets are under the roof edges.
The inside of the William Street building has open spaces. The ground floor is concrete, and the upper floors are timber. It still has original wooden details and iron columns. The top floor is special because you can see the strong wooden roof structure.
The George Street Building
The George Street building is a large brick building with three storeys and a partial basement. It forms an L-shape around a courtyard. The George Street side is more decorative. It has a smooth finish over a stone base.
The main entrance on George Street is sealed now. It has a granite base and an arch leading to a porch. Above the arch, you can see the carved devil's face and banners saying "PRINTING OFFICE" and "1910." The building also has columns with devil faces on their tops. On the roof, there are stone devils holding shields.
The inside of the George Street building has high ceilings. The walls are plastered or made of sandblasted brick. It has four glass roof lanterns that let in light. The old offices had beautiful wooden partitions and etched glass.
The Courtyard
The courtyard between the two buildings is planted with jacaranda trees. This courtyard is actually the roof of a four-storey underground car park.
Why Is It a Heritage Site?
The former Queensland Government Printing Office was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it is very important to Queensland's history and culture.
A Key Part of Queensland's History
- It was the only government printing office in Queensland for 121 years (1862-1983).
- It played a huge role in how Queensland was run by printing all government information.
- Its growth shows how the Queensland Government itself grew over time.
- It's part of a historic government area that has been important since 1825.
- The buildings show how government architecture improved from the 1870s to the 1910s.
- The fact that it survived plans for demolition shows how public concern for heritage buildings grew in the 1970s and 1980s.
Unique and Important Features
- The buildings still show what a printing office from the 1800s and early 1900s looked like.
- They have good natural light and strong structures for heavy machinery.
- The use of brick and slate roofs shows how they protected against fire.
- The skylights helped compositors (people who set type) see their work clearly.
- The carved Queensland crest, printer's devils, and stained glass windows show its former use and importance.
- The 1910-1912 George Street wing was even seen as a model for other state printing offices.
- The William Street building is a great example of Francis Drummond Greville Stanley's work.
- The George Street wing is an excellent example of the work of Edwin Evan Smith and sculptor William Priestly MacIntosh.
Beautiful Design and Workmanship
- The printing office is part of a beautiful group of government buildings in Brisbane.
- It's a major landmark and adds to the look of both William and George Streets.
- The buildings show high-quality design and craftsmanship.
- The William Street building stands out with its unique roof and brickwork.
- The George Street wing fits in with other classical government buildings.
- The detailed sculptures of printer's devils on the George Street entrance are especially beautiful.
Connection to Important People and Groups
- The site has a long and strong connection to the Queensland Government Printing Office. This department was very important in sharing government information with the public.
Images for kids
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Government Printing Office (William Street side), 2015
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Government Printing Office (George Street side), 1920
