Alexandra (College) House

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Alexandra College
Milton Street/Brown Street

The original home of the Alexandra College for Ladies is of regional significance both for its historical associations and for its architecture. The College opened in 1872 and moved into this building in 1874, with the intention of providing excellent instruction to the young ladies of both town and country. It has historical importance as a high quality Western District Girls' College attended by the daughters of leading regional townspeople and the rural gentry. It provided a secondary education for a privileged few at a time when the state system only catered for a primary education. ([i])

The College was amalgamated with its brother school, the Hamilton and Western District College in 1962. The Boys' College had been taken over by the Presbyterian Church in 1954. Both original buildings were designed by the leading Melbourne architect, W H Elleker. As with Hamilton College, their original design was never completed with the end pavilions and their bay windows being replaced by smaller wings. Alexandra College was described as "Early Italian" in style and this is suggested in the full original design with its tower, bracketed eaves, aedicule windows and picturesque position. The English born William Henry Ellerker trained in Melbourne under Messrs Kemp, Knight and Kerr, one of the most important early architectural firms. ([ii]) The eminence of their private and commercial clients, shows how well connected and successful Elleker and his later partner E G Kilburn became. ([iii])

The building was disposed of by the Presbyterian Church in 1972 at first being used as offices and then as the Alexandra House Reception Rooms. ([iv]) The building has been compromised both by unsympathetic additions and alterations and by the construction of flats in the former front garden. It is in fair condition. This, more than any other single incident, triggered a concern about the lack of conservation planning controls in Hamilton and lead to the present study.