GENAZZANO FCJ COLLEGE

285-315 COTHAM ROAD KEW, BOROONDARA CITY

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Victorian Heritage Register

GENAZZANO FCJ COLLEGE SOHE 2008

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    GENAZZANO FCJ COLLEGE - History

    Genazzano FCJ College was founded as a convent and all-girls' boarding school in Kew by the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ), a Catholic Order from which English and Irish Sisters had emigrated to Melbourne in 1882 and 1884 to help meet the growing need for Catholic Education. In the late 1880s a new FCJ convent boarding school - now known as the Genazzano FCJ College's 'Wardell Building' - was designed by architect William Wardell for the order's recently-purchased 15-acre property at Kew. The Wardell Building's foundation stone was laid on 9 March 1890, and the Building was occupied from Easter (at the end of March) in 1891. A chapel and one of the three wings planned in Wardell's original design were never built due to the impact of the 1890s economic depression on the Sisters' finances. A small grotto incorporating statues and rock walls was installed to the north-west of the Wardell Building in 1930-31. In 1936 a one-storey Hall designed by architect Lionel San Miguel (1896-1959) to complement the style of the Wardell Building was constructed alongside its southern end, and in 1961 a two-storey addition containing classrooms and a science block designed by architect Joseph McCarthy was built above this Hall. A chapel also designed by Joseph McCarthy, flat-roofed and Modern in style and featuring extensive stained-glass window walls designed by artist Alan Sumner MBE (1911-1994), was built in 1974 abutting the Wardell Building's north side and occupies the site which Wardell had originally intended for this purpose. New single-storey Convent residences for the Sisters were constructed at the site's northeast corner in the 1980s. Additional buildings, roads, carparking areas and landscaping elements have also been added to the College in several separate stages across its site in Kew since the 1970s.

    Assessment Against Criteria

    GENAZZANO FCJ COLLEGE - Assessment Against Criteria

    Criterion A
    The historical importance, association with or relationship to Victoria's history of the place or object.
    Genazzano has historical importance for its long association with the FCJ order who were invited by the Jesuits to establish schools in Australia. Genazzano was the second school established by the order in Australia after Vaucluse FCJ College. The Catholic Church was profoundly affected by the 1872 Victorian Education Act which made education secular, compulsory and free, and led to the withdrawal of state aid to religious schools. In order for the Church to run its own schools, it had to look overseas for help and invite religious teaching orders such as the FCJ order to set up schools in Australia.
    
    

    Criterion B
    The importance of a place or object in demonstrating rarity or uniqueness.
    

    Criterion C
    The place or object's potential to educate, illustrate or provide further scientific investigation in relation to Victoria's cultural heritage.
    

    Criterion D
    The importance of a place or object in exhibiting the principal characteristics or the representative nature of a place or object as part of a class or type of places or objects.
    

    Criterion E
    The importance of the place or object in exhibiting good design or aesthetic characteristics and/or in exhibiting a richness, diversity or unusual integration of features.
    The Wardell building is an important example of the work of eminent architect William Wardell. Although Wardell was believed to be involved in designing the 1863 school wing of the Convent of Mercy, Fitzroy and, together with Leonard Terry, designed the former Christian Brothers College, East Melbourne, Genazzano is the only known school building designed solely by Wardell. The building shows typical Wardellian characteristics such as French Gothic influences, bold massing and fine proportions.
    

    Criterion F
    The importance of the place or object in demonstrating or being associated with scientific or technical innovations or achievements.
    

    Criterion G
    The importance of the place or object in demonstrating social or cultural associations.
    

    Criterion H
    Any other matter which the Council considers relevant to the determination of cultural heritage significance

    Permit Exemptions

    GENAZZANO FCJ COLLEGE - Permit Exemptions

    General Exemptions:

    General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

    Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

    Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

    Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

    Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

    Specific Exemptions:

    Specific Permit Exemptions

      

    Landscape Exemptions:

    . Repairs and maintenance to hard landscape elements including roads, steps, paths, and gutters. 

     

    . The process of gardening, including mowing, hedge clipping, bedding displays, disease and weed control, and maintenance to care for existing plants.

     

    . The removal or pruning of dead or dangerous trees to maintain safety.
     

    . Subsurface works involving the installation, removal or replacement of watering and drainage systems or services in accordance with AS4970.

     

    . Works associated with the management of possums and vermin. 
     

    . Maintenance and repair of existing paving and other hard landscaping elements, like for like.

     

    Maintenance and signage 

      

    . General maintenance including the removal of broken glass, the temporary shuttering of windows and covering of holes as long as this work is reversible and does not have a detrimental impact on cultural heritage significance. 

     

    . Maintenance, replacement and installation of electrical and fire services where this does not impact on the heritage fabric. 

     

    . Erecting, repairing and maintaining signage (directional signage, road signs, speed signs). Signage must be located and be of a suitable size so as not to obscure or damage heritage fabric, and must be able to be later removed without causing damage to the place. The development of signage must be consistent in the use of format, text, logos, themes and other display materials. 

     

    Public Safety and Security 

      

    . Public safety and security activities provided the works do not adversely affect heritage fabric. 

     

    . The erection of temporary security fencing, scaffolding, hoardings or surveillance systems to prevent unauthorised access or secure public safety which will not adversely affect heritage fabric. 

     

    . Emergency stabilisation necessary to secure safety where a site feature has been irreparably damaged or destabilised and represents a safety risk to its users or the public. All works, including urgent or emergency site works are to be undertaken by an appropriately qualified specialist such as a structural engineer, or other heritage professional. 

     

    Specific Exemptions:

     

    Fabric of Primary and Contributory Significance: (the 1890-91 Wardell Building; 1930-31 grotto; 1930s stone steps and urns; 1936 Hall, with 1961 upper two-storey addition; and 1974 Chapel building)

     

    Exteriors

      

    Works that include the alteration or removal of nineteenth/early-twentieth century building fabric or equipment require a permit. The following works do not require a permit provided that they are carried out in a manner which does not not have a detrimental effect on the heritage fabric of the place.

     

    . Minor patching, repairs and maintenance which replace like with like.
    
    

     . Repair or removal of non-original items such as air conditioners, pipe work, ducting, wiring, antennae and aerials, hot water services, taps and the like. 

     

    . Removal of extraneous items such as air conditioners, pipe work, ducting, wiring, antennae and aerials.

     

    . Installation or repair of damp-proofing by either injection method or grouted pocket method. 

     

    . Painting of previously painted surfaces in the same colour scheme provided that preparation or painting does not remove evidence of the original paint or decorative schemes or signage.

     

    Interiors

     

    Works that include the alteration or removal of nineteenth/early-twentieth century building fabric or equipment require a permit. The following works do not require a permit provided that they are carried out in a manner which does not have a detrimental effect on the heritage fabric of the place.

     

    . Painting of previously painted walls and ceilings provided that preparation or painting does not remove evidence of the original paint or decorative schemes or signage.

     

    . Removal of paint from originally unpainted or oiled surfaces including joinery, doors, architraves and skirtings by non-abrasive methods.

     

    . Installation, removal or replacement of carpets and/or flexible floor coverings, window dressings, and devices for the hanging of mirrors and wall mounted artworks.

     

    . Refurbishment of bathrooms, toilets and kitchens including removal, installation or replacement of sanitary fixtures and associated piping, mirrors, wall and floor coverings, kitchen benches and fixtures including sinks, stoves, ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers and associated plumbing and wiring, provided that the work is done in a manner not detrimental to the cultural heritage significance of the place.

     

    . Installation, removal or replacement of ducted, hydronic or concealed radiant type heating provided that the installation does not damage existing skirtings and architraves, and provided that the central plant is concealed, and that the work is done in a manner not detrimental to the cultural heritage significance of the place.

     

    . Installation of plant within the roof space, providing that it does not impact on the external appearance of the building or involve structural changes.

     

    . Replacement of lift cars, mechanisms, motor and any associated elements which are not integral to the building.

     

    . Installation, removal or replacement of electrical wiring provided that all new wiring is fully concealed and any original light switches, pull cords, push buttons or power outlets are retained in-situ. 

     

    . Installation, removal or replacement of bulk insulation in the roof space.
     

    . Installation, removal or replacement of smoke detectors.
     

    . Installation of stud walls (providing they are removable) other than in Our Lady's Hall, the Study Hall, the All-Purpose Room and the second floor Audio-Visual Room.

     

    . Installation of new built-in cupboards.
    
    

    . Removal or installation of compactus shelving if no structural work is required.

      

    All other buildings and features (Fabric of No Significance)

      

    Exteriors

      

    . Repairs and maintenance which replace like with like.
    
    

     . Demolition and removal of buildings and elements, subject to a permit being issued for the management of fabric of primary and contributory significance where it intersects with that of later additions.

     

    . Alteration of buildings, within the existing footprints and envelopes of those buildings.

     

    . Removal of extraneous items such as air conditioners, pipe work, ducting, wiring, antennae and aerials.

     

    . Installation or repair of damp-proofing by either injection method or grouted pocket method. 

     

    . Painting of previously painted surfaces.
     

    Interiors

     

    . All works.

    Permit Exemption Policy

    GENAZZANO FCJ COLLEGE - Permit Exemption Policy

    It should be noted that Permit Exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.49(3) of the Heritage Act 2017). Permit Exemptions can also be applied for and granted after registration (under s.92 of the Heritage Act 2017).
    
    

    General Condition 1
    
    

    All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object.
    
    

    General Condition 2
    
    

    Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon as possible. 
    
    

    General Condition 3
    
    

    All works should ideally be informed by Conservation Management Plans prepared for the place. The Executive Director is not bound by any Conservation Management Plan, and permits still must be obtained for works suggested in any Conservation Management Plan.
    
    

    General Condition 4
    
    

    Nothing in this determination prevents the Heritage Council from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.
    
    

    General Condition 5
    
    

    Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the relevant responsible authority, where applicable.
    
    
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