SANDHURST TRUSTEES, FORMER POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICE
18-22 VIEW STREET BENDIGO, GREATER BENDIGO CITY
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Statement of Significance
The Sandhurst Trustees building was constructed as the first permanent post and telegraph office for the developing town of Sandhurst (now Bendigo) in 1867 to designs prepared by the Public Works Department under William Wilkinson Wardell. The two storeyed rendered brick building, prominently located on View Street, has a hipped roof and one storeyed bays flanking the principal building. The building is an example of early Victorian classical architecture. In 1891, after a new post office in Pall Mall was completed, the Sandhurst and Northern Districts Trustees Executors and Agency Company purchased the building and used it for their offices which they remain to this day (2015). To accommodate the growing company additions the building has experienced several periods of growth. The principal chamber, centrally located in the building on the ground floor upon entering the building, is a particularly intact late nineteenth century interior with very fine timber joinery, including wainscotting, internal columns, ceiling detailing, doors, architraves and a counter are of good design and craftsmanship.
The Sandhurst Trustees Building (the former Sandhurst Post and Telegraph Office) is of historical, architectural and aesthetic significance to the State of Victoria.
The building, which reflects the first stages of Bendigo's development as a town following the discovery of gold, is historically important as a substantial public works project completed when renowned Victorian architect, William Wilkinson Wardell was the Inspector of Public Works and Chief Architect. For over one hundred years the building has been the home of an important Bendigo based company, the Sandhurst Trustees, who now have branches throughout Victoria.
The building has architectural importance as a well composed masonry structure which contributes, and indeed, established the standard for the design and massing of later buildings on View Street. The intact nineteenth century interior of the building is of particular aesthetic importance for its well crafted joinery and plasterwork.
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SANDHURST TRUSTEES, FORMER POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICE - History
Contextual History:History of Place:
The Sandhurst Trustees Building was constructed in several stages from the late 1860s, when central section of the current building was constructed as the second post and telegraph office in Bendigo.
Soon after the construction of the post and telegraph office in View Street additions were made, including a second floor, housing a residence for the Post Master, as well as rooms for the telegraph office and a branch for the Treasury. Lane ways were provided at either side of the building for the access and egress of mail wagons delivering mail to the rear of the building.
A meeting was held on 7 December 1887 to discuss the establishment of a local trustee, executors and agency company in Sandhurst and the Sandhurst & Northern District Trustees Executors and Agency Company was incorporated on 18 January 1888, with eight directors appointed on 9 February 1888. The company continues in 1997 with branches all over the state.
Following the purchase of the building by the Sandhurst and Northern Trustees for £4000, the building was sublease to various professional tenants. During 1901 a boardroom was constructed in the building by timber merchant, Garrett J. Sweeney.
Associated People: Owner PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT;
Owner PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT;
SANDHURST TRUSTEES, FORMER POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICE - 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:EXEMPTIONS FROM PERMITS:
(Classes of works or activities which may be undertaken without a permit under
Part 4 of the Heritage Act 1995)
Purpose of Exemptions
In the major and public spaces (Indicated on plan 607802B and plan 607802C),
the exemptions allow for work which will not affect the cultural significance
of the place.
In the minor work spaces the exemptions allow for alterations which do not
affect the significance of the building overall.
Works to the exterior and internal structural works (inter alia) require
permits.
Exemptions from permit: Interior
In the primary spaces: carpeting, repainting of walls and ceilings and repair
and restaining of joinery partitions is permit exempt provided that the chosen
scheme adopts a heritage theme and that the major decorative ceiling is
finished in one colour.
In the secondary spaces: carpeting, repainting of walls and ceilings and
restaining of joinery is permit exempt provided that the finishing scheme fits
with the historic nature of the building. New wiring, lighting, alarms
sprinklers and the like are permit exempt in this area provided that the wok
is concealed. New plumbing, sinks, cupboards, built-in equipment and the like
is permit exempt in the kitchen and lavatory areas shown on plan 607802B and
607802C.
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