Altona Primary School No. 3923 Complex and Trees
109 Blyth Street ALTONA, Hobsons Bay City
Hobsons Bay City
Statement of Significance
What is Significant?
The Altona Primary School No 3923 complex, comprising the surviving buildings associated with the original complex designed by the Public Works Department and constructed between 1922-27 and the associated mature trees, at 109 Blyth Street, Altona.
How is it Significant?The Altona Primary School No 3923 complex is of local historic, social and aesthetic significance to the City of Hobsons Bay.
Why is it Significant?Historically, Altona Primary School No 3923 is significant as the first school to be built in Altona, which was one of the earliest public buildings. It is now one of a small number of surviving early public buildings in Altona, which symbolize the significant development of the area during the Interwar period as a consequence of the revival of the Altona Beach estate and the promotional activities of its financial supporters. It is also has associations with the Chief Architect of the PWD, E Evan Smith. An early example of his work, it includes perhaps the first use of design features that he would later develop and use on other school and public buildings throughout the State. (AHC criteria A4 and B2)
Socially, Altona Primary School No 3923 is significant for its strong connections with the Altona community as the main place of learning for young children over a period of nearly 80 years. (AHC criterion G1)
Aesthetically, the 1922-27 school complex is significant as an intact representative state school constructed to a design in the Interwar Free Classical style by the Chief Architect of the Public Works Department, E. Evan Smith. The setting is enhanced by the related mature trees. (AHC criteria E1 and F1)
