Toowoomba Technical College

Toowoomba Technical College
Toowoomba Technical College
	Hume Street side, 2014
Location	124 Margaret Street, East Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates	27°33′43″S151°57′28″E / 27.562°S 151.9579°E
Design period	1900–1914 (early 20th century)
Built	1911
Architect	Thomas Pye
Architectural style(s)	Classicism
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name	Toowoomba Technical College (former), Southern Queensland Institute of Technical and Further Education (SQIT), Hume Street Campus
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	21 October 1992
Reference no.	600851
Significant period	1910s (historical); 1910s (fabric); 1910s–1990s (social)
Significant components	classroom/classroom block/teaching area
	Location of Toowoomba Technical College in Queensland Toowoomba Technical College (Australia)

Last updated January 14, 2024

Toowoomba Technical College is a heritage-listed former technical college at 124 Margaret Street, East Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Thomas Pye and built in 1911. It is also known as Southern Queensland Institute of Technical & Further Education (SQIT), Hume Street Campus. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.^[1]

History

The former Toowoomba Technical College, constructed in 1911, was purpose built for the provision of vocational education and training for the people of the Toowoomba and the Darling Downs region. Designed by the Department of Public Works employee, Thomas Pye, the building is a large two-storey brick structure and is a good example of the style of education facilities that government architect's were producing at the time.^[1]

Vocational education had been established in Toowoomba at least by 1898. Such education was in the form of the Toowoomba School of Arts. This building was substantially damaged by fire on 21 June 1898, an event that was reported in the Toowoomba Chronicle on 22 June 1898. Following the fire, the city council decided that a new town hall should be built on the School of Arts site. The new Toowoomba City Hall, constructed in 1900, incorporated a public hall, municipal offices and chambers as well as rooms for a school of arts and technical college.^[1]

The Technical College remained in the city hall until the construction of the new building in 1911. The site for the Toowoomba Technical College building, now known as Block A, was acquired in 1908 and the building was constructed in 1911, the foundation stone being laid by Sir William MacGregor, Governor of Queensland. The development of a purpose-built technical college in Toowoomba followed the formation of the Department of Public Instruction in 1905, established to centralise the control of technical education in Queensland. Prior to this, technical education in Toowoomba had been organised by local committees, often associated with the School of Arts. With the intervention of the government, funding improved and a number of new purpose-designed buildings were constructed.^[1]

The Toowoomba Technical College building was designed by the Department of Public Works and built by Alexander Mayes, a Toowoomba contractor and later Mayor of Toowoomba from 1916-1917. At this time, the Under Secretary for Public Works, Government Architect and Engineer for Bridges was A. B. Brady. The building was designed by architect Thomas Pye and in style, illustrates the most substantial type of educational institutions coming from the Government architect's office at the time. The solid, free-classical design is surmounted by a hipped room, covered with "rolled iron" and topped with a ventilation fleche; the signature of a public building from this age. The urban nature of the site is reflected in the corner pavilions, with cornices and parapets, that are built up to the street alignment of the property. The design also responded to the sun by minimising western windows and providing south light for the "art room" - two major studio style rooms that were situated on the first floor.^[1]

Pye's approach to the site was to design a large two-storeyed building with two smaller detached single-storey buildings to be used for a chemical laboratory and a carpentry workshop, and two buildings containing earth closets. The main building as built in 1911 substantially follows the original sketch design, however, the brick chemical laboratory and carpentry workshop were deleted. In 1913, a timber carpentry workshop was built in the position envisaged by Pye. In 1929, the need for additional space for Domestic Science was met by moving the timber carpentry workshop closer to the main building, raising it and building in underneath to form a two-storeyed block (Block B). In 1931, a brick workshop building (Block D) was built on the site of the original timber carpenters workshop, which had been relocated in 1929. A "temporary" timber building containing two classrooms was constructed between the two brick buildings in 1955 (Block C). When the main building was extended in 1939, a design sympathetic to the 1911 design was used.^[1]

The main building underwent minor alterations in 1940 and again in 1979 with few changes to the original layout of the building. The college and the high school remained combined until 1962, when the high school separated and moved to another site. The restrictions of the Margaret Street site, even for the technical college alone, became apparent and in recent years development has concentrated on other sites in Toowoomba. As a result, the context of the Margaret Street site is still clear and is not obstructed by later buildings.^[1]

Description

The Toowoomba Technical College is located on the corner of Margaret and Hume Streets Toowoomba. The building occupies a prominent position in the towns centre. It is situated opposite Queens Park and marks the eastern entrance to the Toowoomba township.^[1]

The Toowoomba Technical College Building, Block A, is a two-storey brick structure, relieved with sandstone dressings and some stucco, such as the pebble-dash balustrades marking the colonnade facing Margaret Street. All natural stone dressings are painted and the face brickwork has been coated with a clear finish. The eastern end of the north wing is equipped with saw tooth skylights facing south .^[1]

The building has an L-shaped floor plan, with an internal staircase located approximately centrally on each wing. Many of the rooms still function as classrooms and fittings such as blackboards have been retained. Both floors of the college feature high ceilings with a "Ripple Iron" finish. This finish has also been used in the two brick toilet blocks that were built at the same time.^[1]

A number of temporary internal walls have been installed on levels 1 and 2 to create office space and additional classrooms and a kitchen has been installed in what was once the clerks office on level 1 and the commercial room on level 2.^[1]

Apart from Block A, the other buildings on the site include two brick toilet blocks contemporary with the main building though partially altered; a timber building from 1913, now shifted and elevated (Block B); a brick classroom/workshop built in 1931 (Block D); and a temporary wooden building, built in 1955 (Block C). Apart from the toilet blocks, the later additions are substantially different in style and form to the original building (Block A).^[1]

Heritage listing

Toowoomba Technical College (former) was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.

The former Toowoomba Technical College was built in 1911 and holds a special association with the establishment of vocational education in regional Queensland and the development of Toowoomba as a regional centre.^[1]

The development of a purpose built Technical College in Toowoomba is associated with the formation of a branch of the Department of Public Instruction in 1905, established to centralise the control of technical education. With the intervention of the Government, funding improved and a number of new purpose-designed buildings were constructed, including the Toowoomba Technical College in 1911.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places.

The overall style and form of the building is also a good example of the style of educational facilities that government architect's were producing at the time.^[1]

The place is important because of its aesthetic significance.

The building holds a prominent position in the town, marking the eastern entrance to the central city area and is similar in style and form to a number of other Government buildings in the Toowoomba township.^[1]

The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.

The former Toowoomba Technical College holds a special association with the establishment of vocational education in regional Queensland.^[1]

The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.

Designed by Thomas Pye, architect for the Department of Public Works and built by Alexander Mayes, Mayor of Toowoomba from 1916-1917.^[1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Empire Theatre, Toowoomba</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

The Empire Theatre is a heritage-listed theatre at 56 & 56A Neil Street, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 31 May 1994.

Brisbane Central Technical College is a heritage-listed technical college at 2 George Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1911 to 1956. It became the Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT) in 1965, and then in 1987 that became the Queensland University of Technology. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 27 August 1999.

Toowoomba South State School is a heritage-listed former school at 158 James Street, South Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Department of Public Works (Queensland). It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 2 December 2013.

Wooloowin State School is a heritage-listed public co–educational primary school at 663 Lutwyche Road, Wooloowin, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1914 to 1934. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 13 January 1995.

Toowoomba City Hall is a heritage-listed town hall at 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Willoughby Powell and built in 1900 by Alexander Mayne. It is also known as Toowoomba Town Hall. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toowoomba Hospital</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

Toowoomba Hospital is a heritage-listed hospital at Pechey Street, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from c. 1880 to c. 1927. It is also known as Toowoomba Base Hospital. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 July 2000.

East Brisbane State School (EBSS) is a heritage-listed state school at 90 Wellington Road, East Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The school has two other street frontages: Vulture Street and Stanley Street. It was designed by Department of Public Works and built from 1899 to 1939. It is also known as Brisbane East State School. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 6 November 1994.

Queen Victoria Silver Jubilee Memorial Technical College is a heritage-listed technical college at 88 Limestone Street, Ipswich, City of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by architect George Brockwell Gill and built from 1897 to 1937. It is also known as Ipswich TAFE College and Ipswich Technical College. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Block A of the Rockhampton Technical College is a heritage-listed technical college building at Bolsover Street, Rockhampton City, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Thomas Pye and built in 1914. It is also known as Rockhampton College of T.A.F.E. and Rockhampton State High School and Technical College. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Mackay Technical College is a heritage-listed former technical college at Alfred Street, Mackay, Mackay Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Thomas Pye and built from 1911 to 1912. It is also known as Block E Mackay TAFE. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 27 October 2000.

Block A of Townsville Technical College is a heritage-listed technical college building at 212–260 Stanley Street, Townsville CBD, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Department of Public Works (Queensland) and built from 1920 to 1921. It is also known as Townsville State High School and the City Campus of the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 13 May 2004.

Cairns Technical College and High School Building is a heritage-listed state school at Sheridan Street, Cairns North, Cairns, Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Nigel Laman Thomas of the Department of Public Works (Queensland) and built from 1939 to 1941 by day labour. It is also known as Block A of Cairns State High School. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 9 May 2014.

Toowoomba Grammar School buildings are a heritage-listed pair of school buildings at Toowoomba Grammar School at 24-60 Margaret Street, East Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. They were designed by Willoughby Powell and built from 1875 to 1940s. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Toowoomba North State School is a heritage-listed state school at 139 Mort Street, Toowoomba City, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1938 to 1957. It was formerly known as Mort Estate National School. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 6 May 2016.

Toowoomba East State School is a heritage-listed state school on the corner of Arthur and Mary Streets, East Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1935 to 1936 by the Queensland Department of Public Works. It was originally known as Queen's Park State School. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 July 2017.

Mount Morgan State High School is a heritage-listed state high school and technical college at 4 Central Street, Mount Morgan, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1908. It was formerly known as Mount Morgan Technical College. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 4 December 2015.

Dalby State High School is a heritage-listed state high school at 28B Nicholson Street, Dalby, Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1953 to 1954. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 19 August 2016.

Harristown State High School Buildings is a heritage-listed collection of state high school buildings at Harristown State High School at 341–367 South Street, Harristown, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1954, Block B. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 19 August 2016.

Bundaberg State High School is a heritage-listed state high school and technical college at 37 Maryborough Street, Bundaberg South, Bundaberg, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1920 to 1956. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 22 June 2017.

Warwick State High School is a heritage-listed state high school at Palmerin Street, Warwick, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Thomas Pye and Block A was built from 1914 to 1915. It is also known as Warwick Technical College and Warwick Intermediate School. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 June 2018.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "Toowoomba Technical College (former) (entry 600851)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.

Attribution

This Wikipedia article was originally based on "The Queensland heritage register" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 7 July 2014, archived on 8 October 2014). The geo-coordinates were originally computed from the "Queensland heritage register boundaries" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 5 September 2014, archived on 15 October 2014).

External links

Toowoomba Technical College Discover Queensland Buildings Website
Media related to Toowoomba Technical College at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[qhr-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "Toowoomba Technical College (former) (entry 600851)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.

[1]