Altona Primary School No. 3923 Complex and Trees
109 Blyth Street ALTONA, Hobsons Bay City
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Statement of Significance
What is Significant?
The Altona Primary School No 3923 complex, comprising the surviving buildings associated with the original complex designed by the Public Works Department and constructed between 1922-27 and the associated mature trees, at 109 Blyth Street, Altona.
How is it Significant?The Altona Primary School No 3923 complex is of local historic, social and aesthetic significance to the City of Hobsons Bay.
Why is it Significant?Historically, Altona Primary School No 3923 is significant as the first school to be built in Altona, which was one of the earliest public buildings. It is now one of a small number of surviving early public buildings in Altona, which symbolize the significant development of the area during the Interwar period as a consequence of the revival of the Altona Beach estate and the promotional activities of its financial supporters. It is also has associations with the Chief Architect of the PWD, E Evan Smith. An early example of his work, it includes perhaps the first use of design features that he would later develop and use on other school and public buildings throughout the State. (AHC criteria A4 and B2)
Socially, Altona Primary School No 3923 is significant for its strong connections with the Altona community as the main place of learning for young children over a period of nearly 80 years. (AHC criterion G1)
Aesthetically, the 1922-27 school complex is significant as an intact representative state school constructed to a design in the Interwar Free Classical style by the Chief Architect of the Public Works Department, E. Evan Smith. The setting is enhanced by the related mature trees. (AHC criteria E1 and F1)
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Altona Primary School No. 3923 Complex and Trees - Physical Description 1
The design of the original Altona Primary School buildings is typical of Interwar Government schools, being red brick and stucco construction, with a Marseilles pattern tiled hipped roof. The entry is marked by a parapeted porch with a small arch set into the parapet. Main windows are multi-paned and grouped into twos and threes. Inside there are three classrooms, two separated by an accordion screen (half glazed folding doors) and each originally provided with a fireplace (now closed?) and teachers cupboard. There is a generous corridor and an administrative office. At the other end were the lavatories, hat and cloak room. Vertical boarded dadoes were usedthroughout as were the ceiling vents to ensure proper ventilation.
Additions made in 1926-27 followed the lead provided in the original design for additions. A corridor heading east and then north links three classrooms, with a new enlarged cloak and hat room and a large teachers room. The Interwar shelter shed also survives.
The mature trees (predominantly Sugar Gums) provide a related setting and are likely toinclude some of the trees planted by the school committee in 1923 and 1935.
A large number of portable classrooms from post WW2 are located on the site.
Altona Primary School No. 3923 Complex and Trees - Integrity
External Condition
Good
External Integrity
High
Altona Primary School No. 3923 Complex and Trees - Physical Description 2
Context
Set in largely later detached housing development.
Altona Primary School No. 3923 Complex and Trees - Historical Australian Themes
Educating, Establishing schools
Altona Primary School No. 3923 Complex and Trees - Physical Description 3
Associations
Education Department, E Evan Smith
Heritage Study and Grading
Hobsons Bay - Hobsons Bay Heritage Study
Author: Hobsons Bay City Council
Year: 2006
Grading:
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