Former Long Gully Primary School No. 2120
17 Jackson Street LONG GULLY, GREATER BENDIGO CITY
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Statement of Significance
Architecturally, the school is one of the wealth of magnificent schools designed in the study area during the late 19th century, each one sited high within its cleared school reserve allowing it maximum prominence. This example uses its site well with its picturesque roofing and spirelet. It is located near to the mine sites which supported the school-age population and inspired the formation of the hamlets in which the schools took a prominent visual role.
Historically, the school evokes the effects of the 1872-3 Education Act which inspired massive school construction across the colony, particularly in the still well-populated reef mining areas such as Long Gully.
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Former Long Gully Primary School No. 2120 - Physical Description 1
One of the area's great wealth of late 19th century government schools, the Long Gully school sits high on a hillside which still has ample evidence of the mining activity which once surrounded this site. Enhanced by this elevated siting, the school's picturesque roofing presents gables, hips, turrets and tall chimneys in a deliberately complex design which nevertheless sits on a basically standard classroom layout.
Constructed in two brick colours (red, cream) on a rusticated basalt base, the school still possesses its slate roof cladding and ornate timber detailing. Trusses placed in the main gables, fretted keyhole details to another (bellcote?), unusual square- section gable finials and the bracketed helm-head profile given to the two-storey southern wing, all add to the richness of the detailing and form. A skillion form verandah also extends around the school, supported on chamfered timber posts with fret-sawn simple ogee brackets at each. Perhaps the most distinctive element is the tapered spirelet which sits centrally in the east elevation. The zinc (?) tiling and riveted ridge cappings lend an exotic texture to the design's most decorative element. The scrolled iron finial, turned finial base and rosettes to the pinnacle underneath, are all valuable details.
To the east is an old weatherboard (reputedly Specimen Hill) school. Designed in a simple gabled form with gabled porch and multi-pane sash windows, it is typical of late 19th and early 20th century rural schools and halls; most of the former having been altered or demolished. It presents a marked contrast to the adjoining structure.
Former Long Gully Primary School No. 2120 - Integrity
External - Parts of the Long Gully school verandah have been built-in and larger windows installed, all done in an empathetic manner, probably early this century. Many skylights have been added and the perimeter fence replaced. A deck-roofed skillion dormer has been added to the rear roof, a skillion room bay added to the west and numerous portables.
Heritage Study and Grading
Greater Bendigo - Eaglehawk & Bendigo Heritage Study
Author: Graeme Butler & Associates
Year: 1993
Grading: State
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PRIMARY SCHOOL NO. 2120Victorian Heritage Register H0968
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FORMER METHODIST CHURCHVictorian Heritage Register H0692
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DERBY MINEVictorian Heritage Inventory
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"1890"Yarra City
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"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
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"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
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177 Fenwick StreetYarra City
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19 Cambridge StreetYarra City
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2 Derby StreetYarra City
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