Former St. Arnaud East School No 2389, 27 Wedderburn Road, ST ARNAUD EAST

The former St. Arnaud East State School is architecturally significant at a STATE level. It demonstrates original design qualities of an unusual late Federation styled pavilion School type in a bushland setting. These qualities include the modest scale, single storey height, simple gambrel roof form and the rendered concrete wall construction. Other intact qualities include the rudimentary rendered concrete chimney a terra cotta pot, wide eaves with exposed timber rafters, cement lintels and the timber framed windows and multi-paned transoms. The round galvanised corrugated iron water tank also contributes to the significance of the place.

The former St. Arnaud East State School is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with the development of State Education in St. Arnaud from 1909 until 1944. It is locally significant for providing safe refuge for the children during the 1909 bushfire.

The former St. Arnaud East State School is scientifically significant at a STATE level. Its concrete wall construction is rare for a late Federation styled State School building in Victoria.

The former St. Arnaud East State School is socially significant at a LOCAL level. Although no longer used as a school building, it is still recognised and valued by some sections of the St. Arnaud community for its past function.

Overall, the former St. Arnaud East State School is of STATE significance.

Group

Education

Category

School - State (public)