HO44 - Former Diggers Rest School
1286-1292 and 1290 Calder Highway DIGGERS REST, Melton Shire
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Statement of Significance
The former School building, at 1290 Calder Highway, Diggers Rest, is significant as a moderately intact example of the 'Edwardian single room' school building type established by the Public Works Department for the Education Department in the early twentieth century. Although relocated to this site, the building still demonstrates early design qualities and is a legacy of the PWD's stylistic development for the period, and the subdivision of nearby pastoral estates for farming in the early twentieth century.
The former School building, at 1290 Calder Highway, is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level (AHC D.2). Although relocated, it still demonstrates original design qualities of an "Edwardian single room" school building type established by the Public Works Department for the Education Department in the early twentieth century. These qualities include the floating gambrel roof form, wide eaves with exposed timber rafters, and the bank of three timber framed twelve paned double hung windows with three paned hopper sashes above. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the modest scale, single storey height, horizontal timber weatherboard wall cladding, face brick chimney and the corrugated sheet metal roof cladding.
The former School building, at 1290 Calder Highway, is historically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC A4, B2). It is an expression of the history of State primary education in the area, and in particular the small schools that were built, and shifted, to accommodate fluctuating rural populations. It is also expressive of the competing claims of the Holden and Kororoit districts for a school in the nineteenth century, and the break-up of the large nearby pastoral estates in the early twentieth century.
The former School building, Calder Highway, is socially significant at a LOCAL level (AHC G1). It has been restored by the community, and houses the Diggers Rest historical society.
Overall, the former School building, Calder Highway, is of LOCAL significance.
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HO44 - Former Diggers Rest School - Physical Description 1
Physical Description -
The former School building, Calder Highway, Diggers Rest, is set on an open site characterised by rudimentary grassed areas with some garden beds and nearby asphalt parking.
The modestly scaled, horizontal timber weatherboard, "Edwardian single room" type school building is characterised by a floating gambrel roof form clad in corrugated Colorbond. Wide overhangs with exposed timber rafters are features of the eaves and help to create the appearance of a floating roof. A reconstructed face brick chimney adorns the roofline at the side.
Other early features of the design include the bank of three timber framed twelve paned double hung windows with three paned hopper sashes above.
At the rear is a skillion addition and access ramp. Although relocated, the building still presents original "Edwardian single room" type qualities.
HO44 - Former Diggers Rest School - Integrity
Integrity - Moderately intact
HO44 - Former Diggers Rest School - Physical Conditions
Physical Condition - Good
HO44 - Former Diggers Rest School - Historical Australian Themes
Melton Historical Themes: 'Community'
Heritage Study and Grading
Melton - Shire of Melton Heritage Study phase 2
Author: David Maloney, David Rowe, Pamela Jellie, Sera Jane Peters
Year: 2007
Grading:
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ATHENRYVictorian Heritage Inventory
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