1888 BUILDING, FORMER MELBOURNE TEACHERS COLLEGE
THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE, 156-292 GRATTAN STREET PARKVILLE, MELBOURNE CITY
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The 1888 Building including all fixtures attached to the building at the time of registration, and the World War I Honour Roll. All the extant landscaped setting to west and south of the building including the lawn, the serpentine form and location of the path south of the building, mature trees and the brick and wrought iron fence to the Grattan Street boundary.
How is it significant?
The 1888 Building is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria. It satisfies the following criterion for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register:
Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria's cultural history.
Criterion D: Importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural places and objects.
Why is it significant?
The 1888 Building is significant at the State level for the following reasons:
The 1888 Building is historically significant for its association with the development of educational training in Victoria. The building reflects the new commitment of the Victorian government to teacher training during the late 1880s. The building is significant for its associations with several of Victoria's leading nineteenth century educationalists, notably Charles Henry Pearson and Charles Topp, both of whom are likely to have been significantly involved in the planning and design of the building. [Criterion A]
The 1888 Building is architecturally significant as a notable and distinctive example of the Queen Anne style of architecture. The use of the full range of Queen Anne devices appears unmatched in public buildings in the State. The principal characteristics of a nineteenth century residential college are demonstrated through the use of the Queen Anne architectural style, and through the internal layout and design of the interior spaces. They are also demonstrated through the remaining open areas to the south and west of the building and through the landscaped setting to the south including the brick and wrought iron fence to Grattan Street, landscaping including the serpentine form and location of the path south of the building, and mature trees. [Criterion D]
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1888 BUILDING, FORMER MELBOURNE TEACHERS COLLEGE - History
Establishment of the site
The 1888 Building was constructed between 1888 and 1892 as a residential teacher training institution for the Victorian Education Department. The earliest formal system of teacher training in Victoria was provided by the National School Board's Model School which was established in 1855. Official training courses began in 1856 after the construction of buildings on Eastern Hill. Reductions in Government funding forced the closure of the School in 1859 and the National Board began an apprentice-based pupil teacher training program in its schools. In 1866, a Royal Commission revealed a lack of training and widespread incompetence among teachers and the East Melbourne buildings were reopened as the Board of Education's Training Institution in 1870. The quality of education continued to receive attention and in 1877 educationalist, historian and journalist Charles Pearson was appointed to hold an inquiry into 'the State of Public Education in Victoria, and Suggestions as to the Best Means of Improving it'. One of Pearson's main recommendations was for the establishment of a central college close to the university so that teachers could be educated 'not as a caste apart, but as men and women having a need for common culture with the members of the other professions' The University of Melbourne had been established on 40 acres (16.2 hectares) of land reserved in 1854. The land on the corner of Swanston and Grattan Streets had remained undeveloped and in 1877 the Education Department proposed to acquire the land for use as a teacher training college. In 1887, after years of negotiation, four acres (1.657 hectares) was handed over to the Education Department.
Construction of the 1888 Building
Following the suggestion of Charles Topp, Superintendent of the Training Institution, the Education Department wrote to thirteen residential training colleges in Britain requesting information relating to the planning of residential colleges. Homerton College in London was the only co-educational residential college, and information provided by its principal, Mr Liddell is thought to have been influential in the planning of the 1888 Building, and particularly 'arrangements for the male and female trainees.' The 1888 Building was constructed in three phases between 1889 and 1892. It is likely that Topp and Pearson had input into the design, which was developed by the Public Works Department, most likely by architect GBH Austin under the supervision of JH Marsden and with input from Henry Bastow. It was designed in the Queen Anne style which was popular in England from the 1870s to the early 1900s, particularly among London Board Schools.
The first stage of the 1888 Building was completed in 1889 and comprised the central section which contained the principal teaching spaces. The planning was organised around the segregation of males and females and the building included segregated lecture rooms, retiring rooms, dormitories, a gymnasium and the Principal's Office. The west wing was completed in 1891 and contained a female lecture room and retiring room, a Students Common Room, a female dormitory and a single storey kitchen and dining hall. The Principal's suite was located in the south-west corner of the building. The east wing was completed in 1892 and contained dormitory accommodation for male students and a residence for the Vice-Principal.
Establishment of the grounds
Following completion of the building, the Education Department also contributed to the provision of at least one tennis court for use by the students. Attempts were also made to establish gardens. Parts of the site were low lying and marshy, probably the result of a water course which prior to European settlement had run through a lightly wooded landscape, linking to Bouverie Creek (now Bouverie Street) then into Elizabeth Creek (now Elizabeth Street) and eventually into Port Philip Bay. This water course is reflected in the drainage system which runs through the western side of the place, through which eel migration continues each year. Attempts at establishing gardens were also frustrated by damage caused by local vandals, and the construction of a red brick and wrought iron fence in 1892 was most likely an attempt to keep the vandals out. In the same year, William Guilfoyle, Director of the Melbourne Botanic Garden developed a design for the grounds. No plans have been located and it is not known whether his plans were fully implemented. It is possible that some surviving elements including mature plantings and the location and serpentine form of the path south of the building were part of Guilfoyle's scheme.
Changes to the site
In 1893, the College was closed due to government spending cuts and between 1894 and 1898, it operated as University High School, a private school with boarding facilities. In December 1898, the land and buildings were returned to the Education Department, and in February 1900, the College was reopened as a teacher training institution.
Additional land was granted in 1905 and the gardens were further developed under the stewardship of principal Frank Tate who believed outdoor and physical activity was beneficial for students. Playing fields and additional tennis courts were also constructed. During the twentieth century the land around the 1888 Building was gradually developed. In the early 1940s, extensive building works were undertaken to expand facilities, including additions and alterations to the existing buildings as well as the construction of new buildings. The Secondary Training College (later the Secondary Teachers' College, STC) was established in 1950 and in 1972 the STC and the teacher training institution were amalgamated to form the Melbourne College of Education. The tennis court to the west of the 1888 Building was replaced with a carpark in the 1970s and the vehicle entrance gates and driveway were relocated from the eastern end of the south garden to the western end at around the same time.
The Melbourne College of Education amalgamated with the University of Melbourne in 1989. The 1888 Building is currently occupied by the University of Melbourne's Graduate Student Association.
Key references:
Allom Lovell & Associates Pty Ltd (1994) Former Melbourne Teacher's College, 1888 Building. Conservation Management Plan
Jefa Greenaway (2019) Indigenous Cultural Heritage Statement
John Patrick Landscape Architects (2018) Review of Landscape Significance and Proposed Extent of Registration 1888 Building - The University of Melbourne, Parkville
Lovell Chen (2019) Additional information supplied with the Application to Amend the registration for the 1888 Building.
1888 BUILDING, FORMER MELBOURNE TEACHERS COLLEGE - Assessment Against Criteria
Criterion A
The historical importance, association with or relationship to Victoria's history of the place or object.
Criterion
The 1888 Building is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria. It satisfies the following criterion for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register:
Criterion B
The importance of a place or object in demonstrating rarity or uniqueness.Criterion A
Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria's cultural history.
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
Importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural places and objects.
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.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 significance1888 BUILDING, FORMER MELBOURNE TEACHERS 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:It should be noted that Permit Exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.38 of the Heritage Act). Permit Exemptions can also be applied for and granted after registration (under s.92 of the Heritage Act).General Condition 1All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the significant fabric of the registered place or object.General Condition 2Should 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 3All works should ideally be informed by a Conservation Management Plan 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 4Nothing in this determination prevents the Heritage Council from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.General Condition 5Nothing 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.Specific Permit ExemptionsGeneral (exterior). Works to the open cafe/seating area in the south east corner, provided the footprint of the cafe is not expanded, or any elements of height (including shading structures) are not constructed.. Works to, or removal of, the linking structure between the Eastern Resource Centre (ERC) and the 1888 Building, subject to a permit application for the management of the fabric of the 1888 Building where it intersects with the linking structure.. Removal and/or replacement of recently installed services and structures such as fire services, boom gates, bins, bollards etc, provided the location and scale remains the same.. Demolition/removal of bin store in south-west corner of the site.
LandscapeThe University of Melbourne Parkville Campus is covered by Schedule 2 to the Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO2) of the Melbourne Planning Scheme - Exceptional Trees. Under this overlay a planning permit is required to remove lop or destroy, or undertake works within the Tree Protection Zone.. Maintenance of the existing hard surface landscape including paths, gutters and drainage using like for like materials.. Subsurface works involving the installation, removal or replacement of watering and drainage systems or other services in accordance with AS4970 and provided there are no visible above ground elements. Landscaping, paving etc. is to be returned like for like on the completion of works.. The process of gardening, including mowing, hedge clipping, bedding displays, disease and weed control, maintenance of existing plants and replacement with similar species.. The removal or pruning of dead or dangerous trees to maintain safety.. Management and maintenance of trees including formative and remedial pruning, removal of deadwood, pest and disease control, cabling and similar supportive works.. Management of trees in accordance with Australian Standard;Pruning of amenity trees AS4373.. Removal of plants listed as noxious weeds in the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.. Works associated with the management of possums and vermin.Maintenance and signage. Maintenance works to permanent elements of adjacent buildings, such as concrete window awnings which encroach on the extent of registration for the 1888 Building but are not of cultural heritage significance in the context of the 1888 Building.. 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 significant fabric.. Maintenance, replacement and installation of existing electrical and fire services where this does not impact on significant fabric.. Erecting, repairing and maintaining existing signage (directional signage, road signs, speed signs). Signage must be located and of a size which does not obscure or damage heritage fabric, and must be able to be later removed without causing damage to significant fabric. The development of signage must be consistent in the use of format, text, logos, themes and other display materials. New signage must not be illuminated. Note: Interpretive signage requires a permit.Public Safety and Security. Public safety and security activities provided the works do not adversely affect significant 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 significant 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 and are to be reported to the Executive Director within 21 days.Exterior of the 1888 BuildingWorks that include the alteration or removal of pre-1940s fabric requires a permit.
The following works do not require a permit provided that they are carried out in a manner which does not harm the cultural heritage significance of the place.. Removal of items such as air conditioners, pipe work, ducting, wiring, antennae, aerials and other non-original services etc in a way which does not harm the cultural heritage significance of the place.. Minor patching, repair and maintenance which replaces like with like. Repairs must maximise protection and retention of significant fabric and include the conservation of existing details or elements. Any new materials used for repair must not exacerbate the decay of significant fabric due to chemical incompatibility, obscure significant fabric or limit access to significant fabric for future maintenance.. Installation or repair of damp-proofing in a manner which does not harm significant fabric.. Painting of previously painted surfaces provided that preparation or painting does not remove all original paint or other decorative scheme.. Works to the c.1996 basement located in the rear north-western courtyard, including any later internal basement fabric, elements or services etc, provided there is no above ground impact and the footprint of the basement remains unchanged.Interior of the 1888 BuildingWorks that include the alteration or removal of pre-1940s fabric requires a permit.
The following works do not require a permit provided that they are carried out in a manner which does not harm the cultural heritage significance 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 mounting artworks and noticeboards.. Repairs, refitting or rewiring lift cars, motors, equipment and the like.. Removal or replacement of post-1940s notice boards and signage in same/similar location.. Demolition or removal of the following post-1940s items:stud/partition walls, suspended ceilings or wall linings (including plasterboard, laminate and Masonite), glazed screens, flush panel or part-glazed laminated doors, aluminium-framed windows, bathroom partitions and tiling, sanitary fixtures and fittings, kitchen wall tiling and equipment, lights, built-in cupboards, cubicle partitions, computer and office fitouts and the like.. Removal or replacement of post-1940s door and window furniture including, hinges, locks, knob sets and sash lifts.. Refurbishment of existing post-1940s bathrooms, toilets and kitchens including removal, installation or replacement of sanitary fixtures and associated piping, mirrors, wall and floor coverings.. Installation, removal or replacement of electrical and IT wiring provided that such works do not require chasing or cutting into significant fabric and providing that any original light switches, pull cords, push buttons or power outlets are retained in-situ. Note: if wiring original to the place was carried in timber conduits then the conduits and unused original wiring should remain in situ.. Installation, removal or replacement of fire detectors, alarms, emergency lights, exit signs, luminaires and the like, in existing locations.. 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 which does not harm 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.. Installation, removal or replacement of bulk insulation in the roof space.. Installation, removal or replacement of smoke detectors.1888 BUILDING, FORMER MELBOURNE TEACHERS COLLEGE - Permit Exemption Policy
PreambleThe purpose of the Permit Policy is to assist when considering or making decisions regarding works to a registered place. It is recommended that any proposed works be discussed with an officer of Heritage Victoria prior to making a permit application. Discussing proposed works will assist in answering questions the owner may have and aid any decisions regarding works to the place.
The extent of registration of the 1888 Building in the Victorian Heritage Register affects the whole place shown on Diagram 1508 including the land, all buildings (exteriors and interiors), roads, trees, landscape elements and other features. Under the Heritage Act 2017 a person must not remove or demolish, damage or despoil, develop or alter or excavate, relocate or disturb the position of any part of a registered place or object without approval. It is acknowledged, however, that alterations and other works may be required to keep places and objects in good repair and adapt them for use into the future.
If a person wishes to undertake works or activities in relation to a registered place or registered object, they must apply to the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria for a permit. The purpose of a permit is to enable appropriate change to a place and to effectively manage adverse impacts on the cultural heritage significance of a place as a consequence of change. If an owner is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that Heritage Victoria be contacted.
Permits are required for anything which alters the place or object, unless a permit exemption is granted. Permit exemptions usually cover routine maintenance and upkeep issues faced by owners as well as minor works or works to the elements of the place or object that are not significant. They may include appropriate works that are specified in a conservation management plan. Permit exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.38 of the Heritage Act) or after registration (under s.92 of the Heritage Act). It should be noted that the addition of new buildings to the registered place, as well as alterations to the interior and exterior of existing buildings requires a permit, unless a specific permit exemption is granted.
Conservation management plansIt is recommended that the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) prepared in 1994 by Allom Lovell & Associates is used to guide the management of this place in a manner which respects its cultural heritage significance. It is also recommended that this CMP is updated.
Aboriginal cultural heritageIf works are proposed which have the potential to disturb or have an impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage it is necessary to contact Aboriginal Victoria to ascertain any requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. If any Aboriginal cultural heritage is discovered or exposed at any time it is necessary to immediately contact Aboriginal Victoria to ascertain requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.
Other approvalsPlease be aware that approval from other authorities (such as local government) may be required to undertake works.
ArchaeologyAny works that may affect historical archaeological features, deposits or artefacts at the place is likely to require a permit, permit exemption or consent. Advice should be sought from the Archaeology Team at Heritage Victoria.
Cultural heritage significanceOverview of significanceThe cultural heritage significance of the 1888 Building lies in its notable and fine architectural form and features that are evident in the exterior and interior of the building, and all the landscaped setting to the west and south of the building including the lawn, the serpentine form and location of the path south of the building, mature trees, and the brick and wrought iron fence to the Grattan Street boundary. The significance also relates to its history as a teachers' college and the expression of this at the place.
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