COMMON SCHOOL (FORMER), RESIDENCE AND SHOP
83A & B Bell Street, PENSHURST VIC 3289 - Property No 0110
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Statement of Significance
The former Penshurst Common School, associated residence and shop (formerly Chesswass' Newsagency) are located on the south side of Bell Street in the centre of the township of Penshurst. The former Common School retains the original stone section of the building at the centre of the complex and is set well back from the street frontage. The school appears as a single storey building with a gabled corrugated iron roof, perpendicular to the street frontage. Its ridge line is the highest. A symmetrical timber addition was built in front of the stone wing. A small timber shop has been added to the school and residence complex, probably in the early 20th century. The shop is located in the south-east corner of the site on the street boundary. While its facade is plain, the entry is characterised by a finely crafted leadlight door. The shop operated as Chesswas' newsagency for many years. The stone section of the school dates from 1858, when it opened as the National School, erected by the parents of the thirty four children who were the first pupils. When modern state education was established by an Act of Parliament in 1872. National schools became state schools under the banner of 'free, compulsory and secular' education. The Penshurst National or Common School buildings did not become the new state school. The new bluestone school was established on a separate and much larger site on the corner of Watton and French Streets as State School No 486. In 1962, the buildings were condemned and made available to the Penshurst Youth Club for conversion to clubrooms. It subsequently became a private residence. The complex is in good condition, with the exteriors demonstrate a high degree of integrity as an example of a sequence of development
How is it significant?
The former Common School and later residence are of historical and architectural significance to the Southern Grampians shire and to the township of Penshurst.
Why is it significant?
The former Common School is of historical significance as an expression of early education prior to the introduction of free, secular, and compulsory state education in the 1860s. The building is of architectural significance for demonstrating a sequence of development.
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COMMON SCHOOL (FORMER), RESIDENCE AND SHOP - Physical Conditions
The building is in good condition
COMMON SCHOOL (FORMER), RESIDENCE AND SHOP - Physical Description 1
The original stone section of the building is at the centre of the complex and is set well back from the street frontage. It is single storey with a gabled corrugated iron roof, perpendicular to the street frontage. Its ridge line is the highest. A timber addition was built in front of the stone wing. It is symmetrical about a substantial front door with fan and side lights. Triparite windows are on either side. The roof line of this timber wing is unusual in that the main roof is hipped but there are two large gables projecting forward, centred on the windows, and a small gable centred over the front door. There is a simple timber verandah across the whole frontage. While now quite domestic in character this timber wing may be an early part of the Common or National School. There is a substantial garden area, now simply planted, in front of the timber wing.
A small timber shop has been added, probably in the early 20th century, in the south-east corner of the site on the street boundary. While its facade is plain, the entry is characterised by a finely crafted leadlight door. The shop operated as Chesswas' Newsgency for many years.COMMON SCHOOL (FORMER), RESIDENCE AND SHOP - Historical Australian Themes
Theme 6 Educating
6.2 Establishing schools
6.5 Educating people in remote placesCOMMON SCHOOL (FORMER), RESIDENCE AND SHOP - Usage/Former Usage
residential
COMMON SCHOOL (FORMER), RESIDENCE AND SHOP - Integrity
High degree of integrity as a sequence of development. [ Interiors not inspected.]
Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading:
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PENSHURST PROTECTORATE SITEVictorian Heritage Inventory
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A. J. PAGE ELECTRICAL STORESouthern Grampians Shire
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ST ANDREW'S UNITING CHURCHSouthern Grampians Shire
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'Altona' Homestead (Formerly 'Laverton' Homestead) and Logan ReserveHobsons Bay City
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