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W L Roberts Pipe Organ - St. Columb's Anglican Church

Other Name St Columb's Church Location St Columbs Street,, HAWTHORN VIC 3122 - Property No B7314 File Number B7314 Level State

[1/1] B7314 W L Robert's Pipe Organ

Statement of Significance

What is significant? The pipework, windchests, wind system and casework of the pipe organ built in 1923 by W L Roberts, of Adelaide, for St Columb's Church.
How is it significant? The organ is significant for historic and aesthetic reasons at a state level
Why is it significant? The pipe organ is significant for the following reasons:
-- It retains its original tonal scheme of 1923 with a generous selection of romantic tone colours and Diapason choruses on each manual
-- It is the most substantial example of its builder's work in Australia that remains tonally intact
-- It exhibits a generous approach to construction and incorporates imported metal pipework of excellent tonal quality
-- It is an important example of 1920s indigenous organbuilding
-- Most examples of Roberts' major work have been altered by rebuilding or destroyed
-- The casework is distinctive and unusual, with its double-tiered flats
-- No additions to the initial tonal scheme have been made
-- The existence of a very rare double-mouth stopped wooden Doppel Flöte rank placed at the front of the Great windchest for optimum tonal projection. The only other example in Melbourne at the time would have been the example on the 1920 T.W. Magahy organ at the Church of Our Lady of Victories, Camberwell, nearby, which possibly inspired its inclusion and provided a model.
-- It was designed by noted Melbourne organist A E H Nickson FRCO and clearly emulates the tonal design and character of the 1912 Norman & Beard organ at St Peter's Church, Eastern Hill, where he was organist.
Classified: 30/04/2005