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HO96 - Melton State School No. 430

Other Name

Unitt Street, Melton

Location

Unitt Street MELTON, Melton Shire

File Number

254

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/2]
Melton State School
[2/2]
Melton State School

Statement of Significance

The Melton State School No. 430, Unitt Street, Melton, is significant as a moderately intact example of nineteenth century State School buildings. The original bluestone building at the far end of the school complex is a rare example of one of only seven Victorian Primitive Gothic styled bluestone Common School buildings in Victoria. The early bluestone addition has significance as one of the Victorian Education Department's "60 type" plans and the early twentieth century brick additions are representative of the Department's interwar design philosophy. Initially built in 1869-70, with the bluestone additions constructed in 1877 and the brick additions in 1924, the school has further significance with the establishment and development of State education in the Melton area.

The Melton State School No. 430, Unitt Street, is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level (AHC D.2, E.1). Although slightly altered and extended, the original bluestone building demonstrates rare design qualities of a Common School Victorian Primitive Gothic style. These qualities include simple steeply pitched gable roof form clad in galvanised corrugated steel, coursed, squared rubble bluestone wall construction, and the contextually wide eaves. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the modest scale, single storey height, timber framed multi-paned windows with highlights or hopper sashes, and the narrow vertical ventilation lancet openings.

The early bluestone additions demonstrate original design qualities of the Victorian Education Department's "60-type" Victorian styled plan. These qualities include the gable roof form clad in galvanised corrugated steel, coursed, squared rubble bluestone wall construction and the timber framed multi-paned windows. The early twentieth century brick addition, with broad gambrel roof form clad in galvanised corrugated steel, face brick wall construction, wide eaves with exposed timber rafters and the timber framed windows, also contributes to the architectural significance of the place. The avenue of peppercorn trees along the school boundary further contributes to the aesthetic value of the school complex.

The Melton State School No. 430, Unitt Street, is historically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC A4, B2) as an early State School, and the only remaining nineteenth century school in the Shire of Melton. It has many historical associations with the life of the Melton community.

The Melton State School No. 430, Unitt Street, is socially significant at a LOCAL level (AHC G1). It is recognised and valued by the local Melton community for educational reasons.

Overall, the Melton State School No. 430, Unitt Street, is of LOCAL significance.

Group

Education