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Former Concordia College
Comyn Street,, MURTOA VIC 3390 - Property No B7356
Former Concordia College
Comyn Street,, MURTOA VIC 3390 - Property No B7356
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Statement of Significance
What is significant? The former College building is a timber structure, clad in weatherboard. Its small size is given prominence by the use of a tall cross gabled roof, with a third gable projecting forward, creating a tall, dominating front facade. The front gable includes some decorative timberwork at the apex, supported by brackets, an unusual element. There are small gothic arched vents within each of the gables walls, each with a timber panel of a quatrefoil in relief below. The door and windows are not original. There is also a later small skillion roofed addition to the rear. The interior features a corridor and some large rooms, and doors which appear to be original. One room has a timber dado, and one features horizontal timber planked walls.
During the 1860s and 1870s, the Wimmera district of north eastern Victoria was opened up for selection, and a large German community developed, many coming from the German-speaking communities of South Australia. With the rapid growth of this community, the need for locally trained bi-lingual pastors and teachers was keenly felt. A 'Teaching Institution' began to be developed in Murtoa, chosen as a centre of the community, and with good rail links, including to South Australia. At first, the institution was attached to an existing school in 1890, and the surviving classroom/dormitory block was erected in 1891 as their first permanent building. By 1894 the institution became known as Concordia College, comprising 10 buildings and by 1900 had 34 students. However, personality clashes, declining enrolments, and a subsequent financial crises led the closure of the College in 1905.
Some time after the closure of the college, and the removal or demolition of all the other buildings, the original classroom / dormitory block was moved to Cromie Street, Murtoa and became a Salvation Army hall and was converted for use as a private home. In the early 2000s, after many members of the local community rallied to save the building, it was moved again and repaired, and is now in use as a museum of the college.
How is it significant? The former Concordia College building is significant for historic and social reasons at Regional level.
Why is it significant? The former Concordia College building is historically and socially significant as the last remaining structure associated with the oldest secondary education college established by the Lutheran Church of Australia. It is also important as a reminder of the once strong German community which colonised the area in the late 19th century, mainly comprised of families migrating from the famous German communities of nearby South Australia.
Classified: 23/10/2006
During the 1860s and 1870s, the Wimmera district of north eastern Victoria was opened up for selection, and a large German community developed, many coming from the German-speaking communities of South Australia. With the rapid growth of this community, the need for locally trained bi-lingual pastors and teachers was keenly felt. A 'Teaching Institution' began to be developed in Murtoa, chosen as a centre of the community, and with good rail links, including to South Australia. At first, the institution was attached to an existing school in 1890, and the surviving classroom/dormitory block was erected in 1891 as their first permanent building. By 1894 the institution became known as Concordia College, comprising 10 buildings and by 1900 had 34 students. However, personality clashes, declining enrolments, and a subsequent financial crises led the closure of the College in 1905.
Some time after the closure of the college, and the removal or demolition of all the other buildings, the original classroom / dormitory block was moved to Cromie Street, Murtoa and became a Salvation Army hall and was converted for use as a private home. In the early 2000s, after many members of the local community rallied to save the building, it was moved again and repaired, and is now in use as a museum of the college.
How is it significant? The former Concordia College building is significant for historic and social reasons at Regional level.
Why is it significant? The former Concordia College building is historically and socially significant as the last remaining structure associated with the oldest secondary education college established by the Lutheran Church of Australia. It is also important as a reminder of the once strong German community which colonised the area in the late 19th century, mainly comprised of families migrating from the famous German communities of nearby South Australia.
Classified: 23/10/2006
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MURTOA WATER TOWERVictorian Heritage Register H1193
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KURRAJONG AVENUEVictorian Heritage Register H2061
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Murtoa Grain Store No 1National Trust H0791
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