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BALMORAL COURTHOUSE

Location

35 Glendinning Street BALMORAL, Southern Grampians Shire

File Number

Level

Stage 2 study complete

[1/2]
H1651 Courthouse Former
[2/2]
H1651 Courthouse Former

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Balmoral Court house was designed by Alfred T Snow and built by the Public Works Department in 1876. It is a weatherboard building with a gabled roof of corrugated galvanized iron and consists of a courtroom and an adjacent office to the west. A wooden verandah is attached to the front. The interior, which is lined with beaded timber boards, still contains the bench, clock, bar table, witness box, rail and seat. In the office the bookcase, table and washstand remain. Earlier examples of this style were built at Bright (1861), Jamieson (1863), Smythesdale (1866), Lilydale (1874) and Steiglitz (1874) but the Balmoral courthouse is one of two known courthouses in this group built in timber. One is at Edenhope and the other is at Harrow but has been altered since its sale. Balmoral was a small postal and telegraph town on the Glenelg River, in the rich western district pastoral region. In the 19th century it showed little population growth; a population of 200 in 1880 had reached only 300 in the early 20th century. Together with the Mechanics Institute, a State School and three churches, the Courthouse played an important role in this small rural community.

How is it significant?
The Courthouse, 35 Glendinning Street, Balmoral is of historic and architectural significance to the state of Victoria.

Why is it significant?
The Courthouse, 35 Glendinning Street, Balmoral is of historic significance as an expression of law and order within the township and its hinterland from the 1850s until the late twentieth century when the courthouse closed. It has assumed another role as the Balmoral Historical Society rooms. The building is of architectural significance as a product of the Public Works Department and for demonstrating its use of standard designs for public buildings.

Group