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Maryknoll Precinct
Koolbirra Road MARYKNOLL, Cardinia Shire

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Cardinia Shire
Maryknoll Precinct - Father Pooley s Grave
Maryknoll Precinct - Father Pooley s Grave
Maryknoll Precinct - Father Pooley s Grave
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Statement of Significance

Maryknoll Precinct, founded in 1949 by Father Wilfred Pooley of the West Footscray Presbytery, is of significance to Victoria as a rare example of a planned rural community based on Christian principles which involved Modernist concepts of town planning and architecture. This contrasts with other similar Catholic rural communities who opted, instead, for Medieval principles of worship and building construction1.

Town planners and architects were involved in planning the township and its buildings. With the church as its focus, the plan is significant for its contoured street alignments and retention of bushland areas. The surviving near intact 1950s houses are also notable within the State as evocative of the latest design principles espoused by architects in that era and as a group of simple contemporary houses of a similar architectural concept set in rural surroundings.

The surviving buildings help express he ideals of Maryknoll which included the setting up local industries controlled by the community, and a housing co-operative to finance house purchases. This obviated a lot of the financial problems of similar contemporary Catholic rural settlements, marking this settlement as, relatively, a highly successful one as shown by the scale and integrity of the structures erected by the co-operative.

State Siginificance

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    • Physical Description 1

      Maryknoll Precinct - Physical Description 1

      This generally 1950s precinct includes the architect-designed generally timber clad (once stained, some extensively altered) skillion (some gabled) roofed houses sited around the similarly clad Holy Family Church and Fr. Pooley's former residence, as the two most important structures in the complex. The surrounding houses are comparable with contemporary architect-designed houses and as a group are notable within the State.

      The plan of the settlement is also of note with contoured street alignments and retention of bushland as characteristics which underscore the importance of the built elements.

      Planting around Fr. Pooley's house includes two Cupressus torulosa (Bhutan cypress), old fruit trees, a camellia, and abelia, with some garden pathways edged with stone and gravel paved.

      Physical Conditions

      Maryknoll Precinct - Physical Conditions

      The buildings are generally well-preserved but a minority has been reclad or rebuilt.

      Historical Australian Themes

      Maryknoll Precinct - Historical Australian Themes

      Historical Themes

      7.7 Retreats (religious retreats, inebriate retreats, sanatoriums)

      8.6 Maryknoll, a Christian community

      Physical Description 2

      Maryknoll Precinct - Physical Description 2

      Associations - Pooley, Fr. Wilfred; Smith & Tracey

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Cardinia - Cardinia Shire Heritage Study 1996

      Author: Graeme Butler & Associates
      Year: 1996
      Grading: Local

Public contributions

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
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