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Rotunda, CA 3 Sec R1 Cnr McMahon & Millett Streets, ST ARNAUD

Location

CA 3 Sec R1 Cnr McMahon & Millett Streets ST ARNAUD, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE

Level

Recommended for Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

The former Lord Nelson Miner's Band Rotunda, corner of McMahon and Millett Streets, St. Arnaud, has significance for its association with the establishment of a successful local band whose members included several miners of the Lord Nelson Mine. Lead of the Mine Manager Zebina Lane, the inclusion of several miners reduced the number of strikes at the mine. The Band gave Saturday afternoon recitals in Market Square from 1866 and in 1900 it won the Australasian Championship at Ballarat as well as other competitions. Possibly built after 1889, the Lord Nelson Miner's Band Rotunda was relocated to its current site in 1916 and used as the Club House for the local Croquet Club. Although considerably altered, the original hexagonal form, pitched roof and unsawn log posts are intact.

The former Lord Nelson Miner's Band Rotunda, corner of McMahon and Millett Streets, is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with the establishment of the Lord Nelson Miner's Band in the 19th century. Originally known as the St. Arnaud Town Band which gave Saturday afternoon recitals in Market Square from 1866, the Mine Manager Zebina Lane was elected the band's president in 1889 and it was from that time when the band took on the name of the Lord Nelson Mine. Successful in competition, including the Australasian Championship at Ballarat in 1900, a number of miners were members of the Band and this reduced the number of strikes at the mine. The Rotunda appears to have been built after 1889. It was relocated to its current site in 1916 where it has had associations with the local Croquet Club, being used as its Club House.

The Lord Nelson Miner's Band Rotunda, corner of McMahon and Millett Streets, has architectural interest. Although considerably altered, the hexagonal layout, pitched roof form clad and unsawn log posts demonstrate the surviving qualities of the structure.

Overall, the Lord Nelson Miner's Band Rotunda, corner of McMahon and Millett Streets, is if LOCAL significance.

Group

Parks, Gardens and Trees

Category

Bandstand/Rotunda