Urangan Point State School, Block D facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Urangan Point State School, D block |
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Block D, 1994
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| Location | Miller Street, Urangan, Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1914–1919 (World War I) |
| Built | 1916–1928 |
| Architect | Department of Public Works (Queensland) |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Urangan Point State School, Block D | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 3 October 1994 |
| Reference no. | 601375 |
| Significant period | 1910s (historical) 1916–1928 (fabric) |
| Significant components | school/school room |
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Block D at Urangan Point State School is a special old building. It's located in Urangan, Queensland, Australia. This building was designed by the Queensland Department of Public Works. It was built between 1916 and 1928. This historic school building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 3, 1994. This means it's an important part of Queensland's history.
Contents
The Story of Urangan Point School
This timber building, Block D, was the very first Urangan Point State School. It was built in 1916. It was designed as a "Type 1" or "open-air" school. These schools were a new idea at the time.
Early Days in Urangan
People started settling in the Urangan area in the 1860s. Timber cutters were among the first to arrive. Later, in the 1870s, land was opened up for people to choose and buy. A lawyer from Maryborough, Edward Corser, bought most of the land in Urangan.
A small fishing industry began in Urangan Point in the late 1800s. But the town really grew because of two big projects. A railway line was built to Maryborough, opening in 1913. Also, a deep-water jetty was built at Urangan Point between 1913 and 1917. By 1915, Urangan had a train station, a hotel, and some shops. Fishing was still very important. Many South Sea Islanders who stayed in Australia after 1906 also moved to the area. They often worked in the fishing industry.
Why a School Was Needed
In August 1915, people living in Urangan Point asked for a state school. The local community group, the Port Maryborough Progress Association, supported them. Edward Corser, a local politician, also helped. He offered to sell some land for the school. This land was in a good central spot in Urangan.
A meeting was held in October 1915. A school committee was formed. They officially asked for a state school. About 24 children were expected to attend.
Urangan children could go to schools in Pialba or Torquay. But the Torquay School was very crowded. It had more than twice the students it was built for. So, a new school in Urangan was really needed. An inspector agreed that a school in Urangan would help Torquay. The land for the school was officially bought in July 1916.
What Was an Open-Air School?
Because Urangan Point was a small town, a less expensive "Type I" or "Open-air" school was suggested. This building had one room, about 6.4 meters by 4.3 meters. It could fit 30 students. Instead of regular windows, it had canvas blinds. It also had two large canvas doors. There were no verandahs.
Open-air schools were a new idea in the early 1900s. They were tried in England and Germany. In Queensland, a doctor named Eleanor Bourne promoted them. She was in charge of the School Medical Service. Between 1914 and 1922, 138 open-air schools were built in Queensland. Most were built in 1915-1916. They were cheaper to build. They were used in areas that weren't expected to grow much.
However, these open-air schools had problems. When the canvas blinds were closed for rain or wind, the room became dark and stuffy. It was hard to teach. The canvas blinds also got damaged easily. They didn't keep out animals or intruders. So, in the early 1920s, most open-air schools were changed. They got sliding windows, timber walls, and wooden doors.
Building and Changes
Tenders for the Urangan Point school were asked for in April 1916. A builder named Christy Hansen got the job in May. The school cost £183/5 and was supposed to take three months to build. It was finished a few months later. The school opened to students on October 9, 1916. The next year, a fence was built around the school grounds.
By 1918, the canvas blinds were already causing problems. They used weights and ropes, not springs. In 1924, these were replaced with the sliding windows you see today. The large canvas door at the front was replaced with timber. A new wooden entrance door was put on the side of the building.
In 1928, the school committee asked for a shelter shed or verandah. Children had to stand in the rain while waiting for the teacher. A lean-to awning was added. This work was finished on October 13, 1928.
By 1931, the school was very crowded. It was built for 30 students, but over 40 were attending. A new building was urgently needed. A second building was built in late 1931. It was about 6.4 meters by 5.5 meters. It had verandahs and could hold 40 students. This new building was ready by February 1932. Younger students stayed in the first building (Block D). Older students moved to the new one. This second school building was taken down in 1977.
By the early 1960s, Urangan Point State School had three classroom blocks. The first school building, Block D, became the school library. In 1977, it was moved to a different spot on the school grounds. The roof has been replaced, and a vent on the roof was removed. Today, Block D is used as a music room.
What Block D Looks Like
Block D at Urangan Point State School is a single-room building. It's made of timber and sits on concrete supports. It has a hipped roof made of corrugated iron. The building is set back from Miller Street. There's a car park to the south. A pre-school and playground are to the west. Newer school buildings are to the north and southeast.
Inside, the building has timber ceilings. The walls are made of single timber boards. At the northeast and southeast corners, there are low walls with sliding timber windows above them. The main entrance door is on the northern side. You reach it by timber steps. On the western side, there's a storage room. It has horizontal timber slats and a concrete floor.
Inside the main room, the ceilings go up to a central beam. In the southwest corner, there are some old timber shelves. The blackboard is in the middle of the western wall.
Why Block D is Special
Block D of the Urangan Point State School was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 3, 1994. This means it's recognized as an important historical place.
Showing Queensland's History
This building is important because it's a very well-preserved example of a small rural school from the early 1900s. You can still see clues about its original "open-air" design. For example, the sliding windows were put in 1924 to replace the old canvas blinds.
A Unique School Design
This building is one of the most complete examples of the old "open-air" schools still standing in Queensland.
