Back to search results » | Back to search page » |
![]() ![]() |
Other NameKorumburra Primary School Location6-16 MINE ROAD, KORUMBURRA, SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE LevelRec for HO area contributory |
|
What is significant?
The Korumburra Primary School No.3077, to the extent of the former
Infants' School, and the former Korumburra South Primary School
No.3435, at 6-16 Mine Road is significant. The former Infants' School was constructed in 1913 to a standard
design by G.W. Watson of the Public Works Department. It is an example
of the 'pavilion style', a standard Edwardian design adopted by the
Education Department for Infant Schools constructed between 1907-15,
which is based on a substantial red brick half hip/half gable
structure with a terracotta tiled roof, serving as a central hall,
which is flanked at the east and south ends by smaller half gable and
hip combinations. There is a transverse half gable structure to the
west. The main hall, now the library, has tied timbered trusses and a
diagonally panelled board ceiling. Classrooms are located to the north
(Mine Road) and the east under connecting transverse half hip
projecting bays. A built-in corridor links the elements across the
south side. Other notable elements include roughcast banded chimneys
with terracotta pots, cast iron roof plumbing, rendered dado band and
window sills and heads, and grouped single tall double hung and hopper
multi-pane timber windows to classrooms. The former Korumburra South State School No.3435 was opened in 1903
at the Strzelecki Village Settlement and after closing in 1946 was
moved to its present site at the Korumburra Primary School.
Constructed by local residents, it is a small gabled weatherboard
building with a bank of three tall multi-pane windows in the main
elevation and small high set multi-pane hopper windows in the north
side elevation (one now replaced with an air conditioner). There are
louvred vents in each gable end and a brick chimney against the south
wall. At the rear is a skillion section with a six-over-six pane
timber sash window in the side wall and a six-pane hopper window and a
door in the rear wall. The mature exotic trees between the Infants' School and Mine Road
also contribute to the significance of the place. Non-original alterations and additions and other buildings on the
site are not significant.
How is it significant?
The Korumburra Primary School No.3077 is of local historic, aesthetic
and social significance to South Gippsland Shire. Historically, the former Infants' School is associated with the
significant growth of Korumburra in the late nineteenth and early
twentieth century when it was the largest town in what is now South
Gippsland Shire. It is one of only three Infants' Schools erected
within the Gippsland region and illustrates the change in educational
philosophy during the early years of the twentieth century toward the
provision of buildings to serve the specific needs of very young
children. (Criteria A and B) The former Infants' School is significant as a representative example
of the pavilion style schools designed for preparatory grade children
during the early twentieth century. It has aesthetic significance as a
fine and well-detailed example of an Edwardian school, which is the
largest and most architecturally resolved within South Gippsland
Shire. Notable details include the picturesque silhouette created by
the complex massing and roofline punctuated by the tall chimneys,
while internally the trussed and panelled ceiling to the former hall
is distinctive. The elevated position on a prominent site makes it a
local landmark. The aesthetic qualities of the school are enhanced by
the mature trees, which provide a related setting. (Criteria D and E) The former Korumburra South School is historically significant for
its associations with the development of the Strzelecki Village
Settlement, while the relocation in 1947 demonstrates the increasing
centralisation of schools across South Gippsland Shire in the postwar
period. It is one of the oldest surviving school buildings in the
Shire and is also significant as a rare example of a school building
constructed by the local community. (Criteria A and B) It has social significance as a place that has strong associations
with the local community through its use as a school for over 100
years. (Criterion G)
Why is it significant?
Education
School - State (public)