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Hill & Son Pipe Organ - Wesley College

Location 620 High Street Road,, GLEN WAVERLEY VIC 3150 - Property No B7209 File Number B7209 Level Local

[1/1] B7209 Hill & Son Pipe Organ

Statement of Significance

STATEMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE:
What is significant? The pipe organ built in 1879 by Hill & Son, London, was one of a handful of organs exported to New Zealand by this notable London firm.
This is a very small two-manual organ built by the Hill firm, with a high degree of originality, and with an attractive carved case and facade pipes retaining their original decoration.
How is it significant? The organ is significant for historic, aesthetic and technical reasons at a local level
Why is it significant? The pipe organ at Wesley College Glen Waverley Campus is significant for the following reasons:
. It is one of three examples of the Hill firm's work in Victoria of the period to survive largely intact;
. Other significant examples of the firm's work in Victoria (St Michael's, Collins Street, Christ Church, South Yarra and Melbourne Town Hall) have either been rebuilt beyond recognition or destroyed;
. The casework includes attractively carved transom rails, finials and spandrels and facade pipes retaining their original blue and green decoration, with gilded highlights;
. The tonal design of the organ is unusual, with a focus on warm and foundational sounds;
. The console fittings all survive, including keyboards and keycheeks, drawstops and labels, and the engraved brass builder's plate.
Classified: 04/08/2003