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Great Western Hall (former Mechanics Institute), 103 Main Street, GREAT WESTERN
Location103 Main Street GREAT WESTERN, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE LevelRecommended for Heritage Overlay |
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Statement of Significance
The Mechanics Institute complex, 103 Main Street, Great Western, makes a significant architectural and cultural contribution to the Great Western township. The first section of the building was constructed in 1884 with the larger hall added in 1891 by the Ballarat Architects Figgis and Molloy. The hall still serves the people of Great Western as a public hall. The Mechanics Institute complex is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. The smaller, recessed building demonstrates original design qualities of a rudimentary Victorian style. These qualities include the simple gable roof form, main gable ventilator in the upper reaches, horizontal timber flying gable members, and central timber door with flat arched brick voussoirs above. Other intact qualities include the brick wall construction, and the three segmentally arched, timber framed double hung windows along the side, adorned with brick voussoirs. The larger Institute hall demonstrates original design qualities of a regionalist, rudimentary Federation Queen Anne style. These qualities include the crowning simple Dutch gable parapet with cement rendered trimmings and details on the main gable end (curvilinear pediment and orb, central pilastered panel with the title "Mechanics Institute", shell motif sloping sides, decorated cement scrolls, and heavily moulded and projecting cornice). Other intact qualities include the slightly projecting tripartite bay of round and segmentally arched windows separated by brick pilasters (with stepped cement pedestals on a cement stringcourse at window sill height and simple stepped cement capitals), timber framed four lighted windows with arcuated highlights, brick window voussoirs with cement rendered keystones, vestigial brick window pilasters with moulded cement rendered capitals (at the springing of the window arches) and pedestals, brick wall construction, gable roof form and the parapetted flat roof foyer at the side (with double timber doors, flat arched brick voussoirs, and cement rendered cornice). The Mechanics Institute complex is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with the development of Great Western as a township. The Mechanics Institute complex is socially significant at a LOCAL level. It is recognised and valued as a literary and cultural centre in the Great Western township. Overall, the Mechanics Institute complex is of LOCAL significance
Group
Community Facilities
Category
Hall Public