Former Corindhap State School No. 1906

The former State School No 1906, School Road Corindhap was built in 1877 as a result of the introduction of free, compulsory and secular education under the innovative Victorian Education Act 1872. It replaced two earlier schools which were established following the opening of the Break of Day Gully goldfield in 1856. By 1861, a rush occurred which resulted in the population of the area reaching 5,000 at its peak. The school was officially opened on 29 June 1877 by the then Minister for Education, W. Collard Smith, with a net attendance of 203 students the same year. The weatherboard building is of standard design with two gabled wings that are L-shaped in plan. The larger wing is oriented east-west and the smaller wing projects to the north, addressing School Road. A cloakroom was added to the school in 1915 and later in 1922, funding was announced for further repairs to the school building and residence costing £149. The school site is surrounded by perimeter plantings of Pinus radiata (Monterey Pine). The school buildings and land, including a plantation of Pinus radiata (Monterey Pine) were sold at auction in 1996, following the State wide rationalization of surplus Crown Land. Two corrugated iron octagonal shelter sheds survive. The former Corindhap State School is intact, in good to fair condition and retains a high degree of integrity.

How is it Significant?

The former Corindhap State School is of historical, social and architectural significance to the township of Corindhap and the Golden Plains Shire.

Why is significant?

The former Corindhap State School is of historical significance as a surviving example of a rural State School that has serviced a fluctuating attendance due to the turbulent nature of the local mining industry.

The school is of social significance as a representation of the initiative and aspiration of the miners and the patronage of William Elder of Kuruc-a-ruc to provide for the education of the children of the emerging settlement of Corindhap. The school has further significance as the permanent site for the provision of free, compulsory and secular education under the innovative Victorian Education Act 1872.

The school is of architectural significance as an intact surviving example of a typical school facility dating from the late 19th century.

Group

Education

Category

School - State (public)