BIG HILL STATE SCHOOL NO.1551

The Big Hill School no. 1551 site, including all the fabric of the 1880s brick building, residence and grounds, is significant.

The Big Hill School no. 1551 is of local historical, architectural and social significance for the City of Greater Bendigo.

The Big Hill School no. 1551 is historically significant for its association with the provision of early educational facilities, which had an important role in the developing community. When compared to the construction of timber schools, and the use of portable schools in other McIvor and Strathfieldsaye communities, the permanence of the brick school building reflects the ambitions of Big Hill as an enduring community. Criterion A

The Big Hill School no. 1551 is largely intact and in good condition. Although having undergone alterations, the School is of architectural significance for its unusual bichrome brickwork featuring cream string coursing against a red background. The school has a gable roof, bargeboards and finial. The adjacent teacher's residence has a verandah detailed with timber posts and a balustrade. This building was renovated in 1908, again in 1915 and converted to library facilities in 1984. Other additions to the School include four classrooms and a toilet block during the 1990s. The grounds of the Big Hill State School are also important as representative example of prize winning school gardens during the 1930s. It is one of several brick schools in the study area,and there are several examples of brick primary schools in the City of Greater Bendigo. Criterion D

The School is of social significance for the Big Hill community as a place of continuous education since the early 1870s. Criterion G