Brighton Technical School History
1912 - 1919
The Argus, Saturday, 17 August, 1912. Page 21.
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
SCHOOL FOR BRIGHTON.
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
SCHOOL FOR BRIGHTON.
A meeting convened by the mayor of Brighton (Councillor Francis) was held on Thursday evening at the Brighton Town-hall to consider the advisability of establishing a technical high school in Brighton. The mayor occupied the chair, and there was a representative gathering.
Mr. Clarke (chief inspector of technical education), considered that a junior technical school could be established in Brighton. A technical high school would be too high for a boy who had just left the primary school. He had inspected the Free Library building in Brighton, and considered that it would be suitable for such a school. The residents would have, however, to provide for work-shops, so that a boy could apply his education.
Mr. Davidson considered that it would be better to amalgamate with other suburbs, such as Balaclava, and make a success of the school.
Mr. Snowball, M.L.A., moved –
“That it is desirable to establish in Brighton a school for preparatory technical work in trade, art, and science.”
The town council should exercise its powers under the Local Government Act, and contribute a certain amount out of its revenue towards the cost of a technical school. The gift of the library building would save the Government about £2,000. That would be a splendid contribution, and should go a long way in inducing the Government to establish the school.
The motion was seconded by Mr. G. H. Carter, and agreed to.
Mr. H. E. Hall moved, and Councillor Pullman seconded –
“That the residents of Brighton and Moorabbin be invited to assist financially and co-operate with Brighton Council in providing the money required to establish and equip the school.”
Agreed to.
Mr. J. Menzies moved, and Mr. Wilson Seconded –
“That the mayor and councillors of Brighton be requested to place at the disposal of the Education department the present library buildings in Bay-street, and to make such contribution to the cost of maintenance as may be arranged, and provide such money out of municipal revenue if necessary.”
The motion was agreed to.
An executive committee was appointed to place the motions before the council at its next meeting.
The Argus, Wednesday, 30 June 1915. Page 11.
GENERAL NEWS.
GENERAL NEWS.
The matter of establishing a primary technical school at Brighton has been urged for some time, and at the meeting of the Brighton Council on Monday it was decided to inform the Education department that the free library building would be made available for the purpose.
This building is in Bay street, and was originally built on the initiative of the late Chief Justice Higinbotham, once member for Brighton, for the purposes of a public library and Mechanics’ Institute.
It was taken over a few years ago by the Brighton Council. It is proposed to transfer the library to a building next the town hall, now used as a steam-roller shed, and formerly used as a volunteer fire brigade station. The council stipulates that the library building shall revert to the council should the technical school be discontinued.
This building is in Bay street, and was originally built on the initiative of the late Chief Justice Higinbotham, once member for Brighton, for the purposes of a public library and Mechanics’ Institute.
It was taken over a few years ago by the Brighton Council. It is proposed to transfer the library to a building next the town hall, now used as a steam-roller shed, and formerly used as a volunteer fire brigade station. The council stipulates that the library building shall revert to the council should the technical school be discontinued.
Sandringham Southern Cross, Saturday, 25 September, 1915.
Page 2.
BRIGHTON COUNCIL.
PROPOSED TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
Page 2.
BRIGHTON COUNCIL.
PROPOSED TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
Mr. O. R. Snowball, M.L.A., forwarded copy of a departmental report on a proposed technical school for Brighton. This report had been approved by the Minister of Education, and the matter had been placed on the list subject to the necessary funds being provided in the budget.
The Minister had expressed confidence in the proposal being carried out.
Cr. Green said a copy of the report had been forwarded to him. It set out that property in Bay street, used for library purposes, was suitable, and consisted of a two storey brick building and adjoining w.b. cottage.
The library was substantially built, the land was 50 by 130, and accommodation would be available for wood-working, plumbing, and mechanical engineering, suitable for artisans resident in the district. A junior technical school would be required. It would be necessary to remove the cottage to erect a two-storey building for workshops. There would be room for 120 juniors and 300 in the evening classes. As there was no land to spare it would be necessary to acquire land to provide for the juniors during luncheon hour. It was estimated that at the outset there would be 120 day scholars and 300 at evening classes, which number would increase to 400 in three years.
Cr. Pullman moved that the letter be received, and Mr. Snowball thanked for the manner in which he had pushed the matter forward. He hoped there would be no change in the Ministry before the matter was put on the estimates and carried out.
Cr. Nathan seconded the motion, which was carried.
The Minister had expressed confidence in the proposal being carried out.
Cr. Green said a copy of the report had been forwarded to him. It set out that property in Bay street, used for library purposes, was suitable, and consisted of a two storey brick building and adjoining w.b. cottage.
The library was substantially built, the land was 50 by 130, and accommodation would be available for wood-working, plumbing, and mechanical engineering, suitable for artisans resident in the district. A junior technical school would be required. It would be necessary to remove the cottage to erect a two-storey building for workshops. There would be room for 120 juniors and 300 in the evening classes. As there was no land to spare it would be necessary to acquire land to provide for the juniors during luncheon hour. It was estimated that at the outset there would be 120 day scholars and 300 at evening classes, which number would increase to 400 in three years.
Cr. Pullman moved that the letter be received, and Mr. Snowball thanked for the manner in which he had pushed the matter forward. He hoped there would be no change in the Ministry before the matter was put on the estimates and carried out.
Cr. Nathan seconded the motion, which was carried.
Brighton Southern Cross, Saturday, 12 February, 1916. Page 2.
TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
THE BRIGHTON PROPOSAL.
TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
THE BRIGHTON PROPOSAL.
At Monday’s meeting of the Brighton Council –
A report on the proposed technical school was forwarded to Mr. Snowball, M.L.A. The report stated that a school established on the site must necessarily have a limited scope. The work which would be undertaken would include woodwork, plumbing, and mechanical engineering. A junior technical school was also necessary. It would not be possible to equip the school on the same lines as at Prahran, but work similar to that carried on at Collingwood would meet the need of all the students who could be accommodated. Male students only would be provided for. Before the school could be opened it would be necessary to remove the cottage and erect a two-storey building for use as workshops.
The buildings would cover the whole of the land, and since the boys would have to go out on to the streets during lunch hour and recess, additional land would be required.
The cost of remodelling the existing building would be about £100. The workshops would cost £3,500, and the fittings, machinery and general equipment £1,906.
The annual cost for salaries of day and evening instructors would be £1,520, but an additional amount of £750 for upkeep and additions would be required. The number of students who would attend the school at the outset could be set down at 120 day and 300 evening. Probably the number of evening students would increase to 400 or 500 at the end of three years.
Mr. Snowball stated that it was intended to carry out the scheme recommended, eliminating for the present the engineering workshop and its equipment, to be added, he hoped, next year.
The report was received.
A report on the proposed technical school was forwarded to Mr. Snowball, M.L.A. The report stated that a school established on the site must necessarily have a limited scope. The work which would be undertaken would include woodwork, plumbing, and mechanical engineering. A junior technical school was also necessary. It would not be possible to equip the school on the same lines as at Prahran, but work similar to that carried on at Collingwood would meet the need of all the students who could be accommodated. Male students only would be provided for. Before the school could be opened it would be necessary to remove the cottage and erect a two-storey building for use as workshops.
The buildings would cover the whole of the land, and since the boys would have to go out on to the streets during lunch hour and recess, additional land would be required.
The cost of remodelling the existing building would be about £100. The workshops would cost £3,500, and the fittings, machinery and general equipment £1,906.
The annual cost for salaries of day and evening instructors would be £1,520, but an additional amount of £750 for upkeep and additions would be required. The number of students who would attend the school at the outset could be set down at 120 day and 300 evening. Probably the number of evening students would increase to 400 or 500 at the end of three years.
Mr. Snowball stated that it was intended to carry out the scheme recommended, eliminating for the present the engineering workshop and its equipment, to be added, he hoped, next year.
The report was received.
Brighton Southern Cross, Saturday, 24 November, 1917. Page 5.
TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
MOVEMENT IN BRIGHTON.
CR. GROUT GIVES £250.
TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
MOVEMENT IN BRIGHTON.
CR. GROUT GIVES £250.
Cr. Dutton Green, who attended Monday’s meeting of the Brighton Council for the first time after a lengthy illness, referred to the fact that Cr. Grout was indisposed and had left the Council Chamber before the meeting had concluded. He would have liked Cr. Grout to be present, as it had occurred to him that, in his capacity as a private citizen of the town, Cr. Grout had donated £250 towards the establishment of a technical school locally.
The Education Department had purchased from him the land in Berwick street necessary for a playground when the technical school was started in the Free Library. That land was valued generally at £1,000, but the deed of purchase set out that £250 was provided towards the purchase, by way of gift to the Department from Cr. Grout. He thought the action of Cr. Grout should be recognised, and moved that the Council accord him a hearty vote of thanks.
Cr. Pullman seconded the motion. The land was probably worth double as much as the Government valued it. Cr. Grout’s action showed that he did not wish to make a profit out of the Government when working in the public interest.
The motion was carried unanimously.
The Education Department had purchased from him the land in Berwick street necessary for a playground when the technical school was started in the Free Library. That land was valued generally at £1,000, but the deed of purchase set out that £250 was provided towards the purchase, by way of gift to the Department from Cr. Grout. He thought the action of Cr. Grout should be recognised, and moved that the Council accord him a hearty vote of thanks.
Cr. Pullman seconded the motion. The land was probably worth double as much as the Government valued it. Cr. Grout’s action showed that he did not wish to make a profit out of the Government when working in the public interest.
The motion was carried unanimously.
Sandringham Southern Cross, Saturday, 21 September, 1918.
Page 8.
TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
THE BRIGHTON SCHOOL.
ITS EARLY ESTABLISHMENT NOTIFIED.
Page 8.
TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
THE BRIGHTON SCHOOL.
ITS EARLY ESTABLISHMENT NOTIFIED.
The Brighton Council have been notified by Mr. O. R. Snowball, M.L.A., that the Junior Technical School for Brighton will probably be opened after the Christmas vacation. The desire for technical education first arose about six years ago, when a few enthusiasts met to see what could be done in that direction.
They were faced with insuperable difficulties in regard to finance, and the matter was accordingly allowed to drop. Mr. Snowball, however, continued to take a great interest in the matter, and eventually persuaded the council to seriously consider the proposition, which eventually developed into the Library Buildings, in Bay-street, being offered to the department. They were, after some demur, accepted, but the financial condition of the State prevented the Government from launching out in this direction. To the persistency with which Mr. Snowball kept the claims of the district before the Government is due to the result which has now been achieved.
In a letter to the council on Monday it was suggested that the Minister should be asked to take the necessary steps to appoint a provisional council, which would assist the department in defining the scope of the school, and also to carry out the necessary alterations to the building. It was also urged that the council should arouse interest in the movement to secure pupils for the opening, which would probably be after the Christmas holidays.
That the council are, unfortunately, lukewarm on this very important question was shown by the tenor of the discussion which took place. The suggested line of action was necessary to make the school an established fact, but councillors concerned themselves mainly as to the constitution of the body which would eventually govern the institution – a question which at the present is of no moment.
A proposal was made for a month’s postponement, but it was finally decided to discuss the matter at next meeting, the town clerk in the meantime to obtain information.
It is to be hoped that the residents generally right throughout the whole district from Elsternwick to Sandringham will exhibit a greater interest in the question than in the past, for with the conditions which are bound to follow the war it is necessary for a nation, if it is to succeed, that every person in it should be a highly-trained unit.
They were faced with insuperable difficulties in regard to finance, and the matter was accordingly allowed to drop. Mr. Snowball, however, continued to take a great interest in the matter, and eventually persuaded the council to seriously consider the proposition, which eventually developed into the Library Buildings, in Bay-street, being offered to the department. They were, after some demur, accepted, but the financial condition of the State prevented the Government from launching out in this direction. To the persistency with which Mr. Snowball kept the claims of the district before the Government is due to the result which has now been achieved.
In a letter to the council on Monday it was suggested that the Minister should be asked to take the necessary steps to appoint a provisional council, which would assist the department in defining the scope of the school, and also to carry out the necessary alterations to the building. It was also urged that the council should arouse interest in the movement to secure pupils for the opening, which would probably be after the Christmas holidays.
That the council are, unfortunately, lukewarm on this very important question was shown by the tenor of the discussion which took place. The suggested line of action was necessary to make the school an established fact, but councillors concerned themselves mainly as to the constitution of the body which would eventually govern the institution – a question which at the present is of no moment.
A proposal was made for a month’s postponement, but it was finally decided to discuss the matter at next meeting, the town clerk in the meantime to obtain information.
It is to be hoped that the residents generally right throughout the whole district from Elsternwick to Sandringham will exhibit a greater interest in the question than in the past, for with the conditions which are bound to follow the war it is necessary for a nation, if it is to succeed, that every person in it should be a highly-trained unit.
“VICTORIA
GOVERNMENT GAZETTE
Published by Authority.
No. 179. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1918. 3524.
EDUCATION ACT 1915.
TECHNICAL SCHOOL ESTABLISHED AT BRIGHTON.
GOVERNMENT GAZETTE
Published by Authority.
No. 179. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1918. 3524.
EDUCATION ACT 1915.
TECHNICAL SCHOOL ESTABLISHED AT BRIGHTON.
IN pursuance of the provisions of section 78 of the Education Act 1915, His Excellency the Governor of the State of Victoria, by and with the advice of the Executive Council thereof, has, by Order made on the 10th. day of December, 1918, established a Technical School at Brighton.
F. W. MABBOTT,
Clerk of the Executive Council.
At the Executive Council Chamber,
Melbourne, the 10th. December, 1918.”
F. W. MABBOTT,
Clerk of the Executive Council.
At the Executive Council Chamber,
Melbourne, the 10th. December, 1918.”
The Argus, Wednesday, 19th. February, 1919. Page 8.
BRIGHTON AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
BRIGHTON AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
The Minister for Education, (Mr. Hutchinson), is to meet the Brighton Council at the local town hall this afternoon to consider matters connected with the erection of a technical school in Berwick street, at an estimated cost of £10,000.
The Argus, Wednesday, 26 February, 1919. Page 8.
NEW TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
NEW TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
The provisional council of the proposed Brighton Technical School met last night at the library, Bay street, when the mayor, (Councillor W. P. Francis), reported that the Minister for Public Instruction, (Mr. Hutchinson), had promised to provide £5,500 for the erection of the school, contingent on the council’s finding £1,000, and the public of Brighton £500.
It was pointed out that the building would be planned at a cost of £10,000, and would be erected to allow for extensions in the future.
It was suggested that an effort should be made to raise the extra £3,000, and have the £10,000 building at once, as the school at the lower price would have less classrooms and workrooms, and therefore would not give the benefit needed.
Mr. W. E. Groom suggested that the building might be erected as a memorial to Brighton’s fallen soldiers, and Mr. W. F. Weigall said that it might be built as a peace memorial. A sub-committee was appointed to consider the matter and to report to a meeting of the council at its next meeting.
It was pointed out that the building would be planned at a cost of £10,000, and would be erected to allow for extensions in the future.
It was suggested that an effort should be made to raise the extra £3,000, and have the £10,000 building at once, as the school at the lower price would have less classrooms and workrooms, and therefore would not give the benefit needed.
Mr. W. E. Groom suggested that the building might be erected as a memorial to Brighton’s fallen soldiers, and Mr. W. F. Weigall said that it might be built as a peace memorial. A sub-committee was appointed to consider the matter and to report to a meeting of the council at its next meeting.