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Hamilton Spectator Office
59-61 Gray St HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire
Gray St Commercial Precinct Hamilton

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Southern Grampians Shire
26554 Hamilton Spectator Office
26554 Hamilton Spectator Office
26554 Hamilton Spectator Office
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Statement of Significance

SIGNIFICANCE: Home of the Hamilton Spectator, the building uses the Conservative Classical style of architecture to appear dignified, stable and thoroughly respectable - like a bank.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE


Office of Hamilton Spectator
59 Gray Street


This building has local significance as the office of one of the most powerful social and political influences in the Hamilton district, beginning as a liberal, protectionist journal and, from the 1870s, favouring a more conservative, free trade view. Constructed in 1873, ([i]) this Gray Street building has historical importance for its associations with George Robinson (c1824-1896), publisher and printer, who founded the Hamilton Spectator in 1860, ([ii]) and with his partner and editor from the early 1870s George H Mott (c1832-1906) formerly proprietor of the Albury newspaper, the Border Post. Under Mott's influence the newspaper followed a more conservative course. ([iii]) Mott was associated with another significance Hamilton building, Kilora, at 45 Kennedy Street; the first section was built for Mott in 1871-72. ([iv])


The building uses the Conservative Classical style of architecture to appear dignified, stable and thoroughly respectable - like a bank. The arch to the right of the facade was probably over a doorway. The main windows have probably been altered to accommodate newly available plate glass. The building has been extended at the rear. Otherwise the building is relatively intact externally and it is in good condition.

[i] Hamilton Rate Book 1873, No. 175 (shop and printing office, NAV 100 pounds), 1876, No. 181 (offices of Spectator, NAV110 pounds), 1877, No. 173 (brick offices of Hamilton Spectator, NAV 100 pounds); Hamilton Spectator, 11 January 1873.

[ii] Garden, Don, Hamilton, p 74.

[iii] Ibid., p 75-76.

[iv] Hamilton Rate Book 1871, No. 252 (house, NAV 8 pounds), 1872, No. 244 (house allot. NAV 50 pounds).

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