Tocal College facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tocal College — C.B. Alexander Campus
Exterior view of main hall
Location	815 Tocal Road, Tocal, City of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1963–1965
Architects	Philip Cox and Ian McKay
Owner	C.B. Alexander Foundation
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Tocal College: C.B. Alexander Campus and Movable Collection
Type	state heritage (complex / group)
Designated	17 April 2013
Reference no.	1908
Type	Tertiary College
Category	Education
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Tocal College is a special agricultural college in Tocal, Australia. It's a heritage-listed site, meaning it's important to history. Famous architects Philip Cox and Ian McKay designed it. They built it between 1963 and 1965. The college was once called the C.B. Alexander Campus. Today, it's known as the Tocal Agricultural Centre. It's a top learning place for farming in New South Wales.

Discovering Tocal College's History

How did Tocal College begin?

Tocal College was built on land that was once a large farm called the Tocal Estate. This area is in the beautiful Paterson River valley in New South Wales. Long ago, the Gringai clan of the Wanaruah Aboriginal people lived here. They used the land for many years. You can still find grooves in rocks where they ground seeds. The word "Tocal" is Aboriginal. It means "big" or "plenty."

European settlers arrived in the early 1800s. They started logging red cedar trees. The Paterson River became a busy port. Farmers grew tobacco, grapes, and citrus fruits. Shipbuilding also became important.

Early Owners and Farming at Tocal

In 1822, James Webber was granted land at Tocal. He grew tobacco and started growing grapes. Tocal was close to the river, which helped transport goods to Sydney. Webber built a two-story barn that is still there today. By 1828, his farm grew to 3,300 acres.

Later, Charles Reynolds leased Tocal in 1844. He was a respected farmer. He helped Tocal become famous for its cattle and horse breeding. His family managed Tocal for 82 years. Frank Reynolds, his son, finally bought Tocal in 1907.

In 1926, Jane Alexander bought Tocal. Her family continued the farm's success. Charles Boyd Alexander, Jane's brother, brought new farming technologies. He wanted his large estate to help Protestant children. He wanted them to train for a life on the land.

How the College Was Created

After Charles Alexander died in 1947, his will was complicated. It took many years to decide how to use his money. Finally, in 1963, a plan was approved. The Presbyterian Church could use the money. They would build an agricultural college at Tocal. They would also help children at a home in Leppington. This way, the college could help young people learn about farming.

Who Designed Tocal College?

The college was designed by two talented architects, Philip Cox and Ian McKay. They were chosen because of their unique ideas. Before Tocal, they designed another project called "Emerald Hills." This project was a country retreat for young boys. It won a big award, the Sir John Sulman Medal, in 1963. This award showed how good their designs were.

Cox and McKay loved the Australian landscape. They were inspired by old farm buildings. They wanted their designs to fit naturally into the land. They used simple, strong materials like brick and timber.

Building Tocal College's Unique Style

When they first saw the Tocal site, they were amazed. It had beautiful views and old stone farm buildings. These buildings became a big inspiration for the college's design. They wanted Tocal College to feel like a village, not just one big building.

The architects chose a spot on a hill. This spot had great views of the Paterson River. They designed the buildings to be open and connected to the landscape. They used local materials like bricks and timber. They wanted the buildings to last for centuries.

They even designed the furniture and lighting! They worked closely with local builders. They used traditional methods to craft the timber. For example, they chose a special tree for the chapel's spire. Local woodworkers shaped it by hand. This made the college feel truly Australian.

Exterior view of Tocal College

The first students started at Tocal College in January 1965. The Prime Minister of Australia, Robert Menzies, officially opened the college later that year.

Awards and Recognition for Tocal College

Tocal College quickly became famous in the world of architecture. Many people admired its design. It won the Sir John Sulman Medal in 1965. This is one of Australia's highest architecture awards. It also won the Blacket award in 1966.

Architects loved how the college used local materials. They liked how it blended with the landscape. It showed a new way to design buildings in Australia. It was different from the popular international styles at the time.

In 2014, Tocal College received the New South Wales Enduring Architecture Award. It also won the National Award for Enduring Architecture. These awards show that the college's design is still important and admired today.

The Presbyterian Church managed the college until 1970. Then, it was transferred to the NSW Department of Agriculture. The college has grown over the years. It now covers 2,200 hectares. In 1972, girls were admitted as students for the first time. Today, Tocal College is run by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. It hosts popular farming events called the Tocal Field Days.

What Does Tocal College Look Like?

View from the weather station towards the Tocal Homestead

Tocal College is a group of buildings designed by Cox and McKay in 1965. It includes the open, tree-filled landscape around the buildings. It also includes some special items inside, like the chapel tapestry and chairs.

The college is located on a long, low ridge. It overlooks the Paterson River. The buildings are made of strong, sandstone-coloured bricks. They have deep window openings that create shadows. A tall spire rises above the buildings.

When you arrive, you enter a large, open-sided quadrangle. This is a central open space surrounded by buildings. It's designed to connect with the views of the historic Tocal Homestead nearby. The college buildings are arranged like a village. This allows for great views of the surrounding landscape.

Materials and Design Details

The buildings use simple, natural materials. These include brick, timber, and terracotta tiles. These materials were chosen for their interesting textures. The roofs are low and stepped. They are supported by strong timber posts. These posts are made from local Brushbox wood.

The brick walls are thick and strong. They have narrow window openings set deep into the walls. This helps keep the buildings cool. The bricks are rough and include chipped pieces. This gives them a rustic, natural look. The stone pieces above the arched doorways are shaped like the ones on the old Tocal stone barn.

Courtyard between the dining hall, administration and chapel

Key Buildings at Tocal College

Each main building around the quadrangle has its own special design. This is based on what it's used for. The timber structures are strong and visible. They remind you of the old farm buildings at Tocal Homestead.

The Chapel

The Chapel is at the center of the college. It has square brick walls. A tall, 30-meter-high spire rises above it. This spire is a landmark. It connects the college to the homestead and the farm.

Inside, the chapel feels like a cave. It has minimal natural light. The walls are exposed brick. The floors are brick paving. The timber roof structure is visible. The large central pole, called a king post, is made from Tallowwood. It hangs suspended over the chapel.

Alter and tapestry by Margaret Grafton

The furniture, like the lectern and communion table, is also made of brick. The chairs have woven leather seats. Behind the altar, there is a beautiful tapestry. It was made by Australian artist Margaret Grafton. It's made of hand-spun wool and natural dyes. Its warm colors contrast with the simple interior.

The Edward Alan Hunt Hall

Interior of the main hall

The main hall is called the Edward Alan Hunt Hall. It's a multi-purpose space for sports and events. It has a timber floor. The hall's design was inspired by the old barn at Tocal Homestead. This barn was known for its exposed timber structure.

The hall's walls have strong buttresses. The roof is supported by huge timber brackets. These brackets are made of three pieces of ironbark wood. They were shaped by hand.

Dining Room and Student Accommodation

The Dining Room has a sunken brick floor. It has a large brick fireplace. The roof structure is similar to the main hall. The tables and benches in the dining room were also designed by the architects.

The student accommodation is on the western side of the quadrangle. The bedrooms are arranged in long rows. They are connected by walkways. This creates smaller, private courtyards. Each row has a simple skillion roof. This allows for natural light and ventilation.

Campus Landscape

The campus landscape uses local plants. These include Spotted Gums, She-Oaks, and other native plants. This helps the college blend into its natural surroundings.

How well is Tocal College preserved?

The college buildings are in very good condition. They are still very much like they were when first built. The design allowed for new parts to be added later. This means the college could grow as needed.

The buildings were designed to last. They use strong materials like hardwood and brick. They also have large roof overhangs and deep window openings. This protects them from the weather. The college is durable and easy to maintain.

Changes Over Time

Some changes have been made since 1965:

• 1967: More student rooms were added.
• 1974-75: The Crawford Court, Library, and Machinery demonstration room were built.
• 1979: A swimming pool was constructed.
• Later additions included more offices and accommodation blocks.
• 2010: The dining room kitchen was extended. Old cottages were repurposed for group accommodation.

Why is Tocal College Important?

Tocal College is important for many reasons. It shows a big change in how buildings were designed in Australia. Before Tocal, many large buildings followed international styles. Tocal College used local ideas and materials.

The college's design used strong, lasting materials. It blended perfectly with the landscape. This was a new and exciting way to design large buildings. It helped create a truly Australian style of architecture.

The architects, Philip Cox and Ian McKay, are very famous. Tocal College was an important project early in their careers. It helped them become well-known.

Tocal College is also important because of its history. It's part of the Tocal estate, which is one of the oldest farms in the Hunter Region. The college continues this farming tradition by teaching agriculture.

The special items inside the college, like the chapel tapestry, are also important. They were designed to fit the buildings perfectly. The tapestry was the first Australian tapestry commissioned by an architect for a specific site. This helped make it common to include art in large projects.

Tocal College is highly respected by architects. It's seen as a key example of Australian architecture from the late 20th century. It shows how buildings can be beautiful, functional, and connected to their place.

Images for kids

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  Heritage boundaries