“Cora Lynn” - The Main Entrance Hall Mirror
Brighton Girls’ Technical School.
45 Cochrane Street, Brighton, Victoria, Australia
45 Cochrane Street, Brighton, Victoria, Australia
and
Certificates and Instruments of Title
including
“The Outer Ground”
of
Brighton Technical School, which was
A Public Recreation Reserve
Certificates and Instruments of Title
including
“The Outer Ground”
of
Brighton Technical School, which was
A Public Recreation Reserve
Many former students of the Brighton Girls’ Technical School, “Cora Lynn”, will remember the very large mirror attached to the wall at the far end of the entrance hall, adjacent to the office of the Head Mistress.
The Brighton Historical Society’s newsletter No. 100, April, 1995, page 5, carried a report written by the President of the Society, Mrs. Rosalind Landells.
“ “CORA LYNN” : Many, many calls have come in “save ‘Cora Lynn’ ”, which we would very much like to do although as we prepare this Newsletter its future seems dubious. Such a lovely – and beloved – building it was built c. 1882, and it may have been built to the design of John Harry Grainger, father of virtuoso Percy Grainger. The first owner may have been one McGee, an importer and soft-goods man. The hall, with its huge mirror is absolutely magnificent. The rooms off the Hall have been used for school offices for many years.
Dr. McGee, son of the early owner, grew up at the house. Later, he married and moved down to the s/w corner of Bay and St. Kilda Sts., to a property which he called “the Corner House”. It is still there. When the McGee family left “Cora Lynn” it passed into the hands of the Jeffrey family who owned Dimmey’s Store still in Richmond. The Brighton Technical School committee purchased “Cora Lynn” in 1921 with the idea of using it for a Domestic Arts School. The project was deferred and the historic house was rented out on lease. During 1923 it was totally renovated for school use, and in 1924 opened to pupils with a Miss Nash as the first Headmistress. Lady Somers did the official opening on March 23, 1924.
All we can hope is that somehow the historic house, now at least 113 years old, can be saved. The wonderful Umbrella Tree which was once part of the old garden on the frontage of “Cora Lynn” was sadly blown down in a storm a few years ago. It was a great loss.”
The Brighton Historical Society Newsletter No. 101, July, 1995, page 7, carried a follow-up report on the fate of “Cora Lynn” written by Mrs. Rosalind Landells.
“ “CORA LYNN”, c.1882 has gone. A sad loss indeed. It was, of recent years, the office of Brighton Technical School in Cochrane St. It appears to have been built for Mr. MacGee, but we cannot prove this although we know that the MacGee family did live there for many years.
It had a most marvelous Hall, which carried various plaques, noticeboards etc. to do with the School. These have all been put together and preserved. In our last Newsletter we said it had one of the finest halls we knew of, enhanced by the large and magnificent mirror. Life Member, “Mrs. C.S.” of Brighton read our mention of “Cora Lynn” in our last Newsletter and promptly went around and bought and so “saved” the magnificent mirror. After some problems about removal “Mrs. C.S.” finally found someone who could handle the removal, and the mirror is now at her home. We do congratulate “Mrs. C.S.” for her resourcefulness at getting such a lovely item. “Cora Lynn” may have been designed by Percy Grainger’s father, at the time living in Brighton, and a friend of the MacGee family.
The Brighton Historical Society’s newsletter No. 100, April, 1995, page 5, carried a report written by the President of the Society, Mrs. Rosalind Landells.
“ “CORA LYNN” : Many, many calls have come in “save ‘Cora Lynn’ ”, which we would very much like to do although as we prepare this Newsletter its future seems dubious. Such a lovely – and beloved – building it was built c. 1882, and it may have been built to the design of John Harry Grainger, father of virtuoso Percy Grainger. The first owner may have been one McGee, an importer and soft-goods man. The hall, with its huge mirror is absolutely magnificent. The rooms off the Hall have been used for school offices for many years.
Dr. McGee, son of the early owner, grew up at the house. Later, he married and moved down to the s/w corner of Bay and St. Kilda Sts., to a property which he called “the Corner House”. It is still there. When the McGee family left “Cora Lynn” it passed into the hands of the Jeffrey family who owned Dimmey’s Store still in Richmond. The Brighton Technical School committee purchased “Cora Lynn” in 1921 with the idea of using it for a Domestic Arts School. The project was deferred and the historic house was rented out on lease. During 1923 it was totally renovated for school use, and in 1924 opened to pupils with a Miss Nash as the first Headmistress. Lady Somers did the official opening on March 23, 1924.
All we can hope is that somehow the historic house, now at least 113 years old, can be saved. The wonderful Umbrella Tree which was once part of the old garden on the frontage of “Cora Lynn” was sadly blown down in a storm a few years ago. It was a great loss.”
The Brighton Historical Society Newsletter No. 101, July, 1995, page 7, carried a follow-up report on the fate of “Cora Lynn” written by Mrs. Rosalind Landells.
“ “CORA LYNN”, c.1882 has gone. A sad loss indeed. It was, of recent years, the office of Brighton Technical School in Cochrane St. It appears to have been built for Mr. MacGee, but we cannot prove this although we know that the MacGee family did live there for many years.
It had a most marvelous Hall, which carried various plaques, noticeboards etc. to do with the School. These have all been put together and preserved. In our last Newsletter we said it had one of the finest halls we knew of, enhanced by the large and magnificent mirror. Life Member, “Mrs. C.S.” of Brighton read our mention of “Cora Lynn” in our last Newsletter and promptly went around and bought and so “saved” the magnificent mirror. After some problems about removal “Mrs. C.S.” finally found someone who could handle the removal, and the mirror is now at her home. We do congratulate “Mrs. C.S.” for her resourcefulness at getting such a lovely item. “Cora Lynn” may have been designed by Percy Grainger’s father, at the time living in Brighton, and a friend of the MacGee family.
1995. Demolition of the Brighton Girls’ Technical School – “Cora Lynn”.
The magnificent mirror at the end of the main entrance hall can be seen in the centre of the photograph. Note the reflection of the triangle at the top of the brick entrance porch in the mirror.
The magnificent mirror at the end of the main entrance hall can be seen in the centre of the photograph. Note the reflection of the triangle at the top of the brick entrance porch in the mirror.
The Brighton Historical Society Newsletter No. 100, April, 1995, page 5, article written by Mrs. Rosalind Landells.
“OTHER BRIGHTON TOWN NAMES CONNECTED WITH THE SCHOOL, not in any special order, are, as well as Mr. Snowball, J. H. Taylor, Town Clerk of Brighton, Cr. W. F. Francis (whilst Mayor), Cr. Dutton Green, Mr. W. Weigall, Hon. W. A. Adamson, MLC, Mr. W. Groom, J. Russell Crowther, Cr. J. B. Grout and many, many others whose names are preserved on the many plaques, Notice Boards, Listings etc., which are being saved and stored at the Elwood High School for the time-being. We could not possibly mention all who served on committees etc. but they are all preserved faithfully.”
“OTHER BRIGHTON TOWN NAMES CONNECTED WITH THE SCHOOL, not in any special order, are, as well as Mr. Snowball, J. H. Taylor, Town Clerk of Brighton, Cr. W. F. Francis (whilst Mayor), Cr. Dutton Green, Mr. W. Weigall, Hon. W. A. Adamson, MLC, Mr. W. Groom, J. Russell Crowther, Cr. J. B. Grout and many, many others whose names are preserved on the many plaques, Notice Boards, Listings etc., which are being saved and stored at the Elwood High School for the time-being. We could not possibly mention all who served on committees etc. but they are all preserved faithfully.”
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On Monday 6th. May, 2019, Bob Tidball, a former Brighton Technical School student who volunteers at the Brighton Historical Society on a weekly basis, called in at our home to announce some important BTS news. The previous Thursday, “Mrs. C.S.” had called in at the Brighton Historical Society to make enquiries regarding the protection of a historic house in Brighton. During a conversation with Bob, she mentioned that she had, in 1995, purchased the “Cora Lynn” main entrance hall mirror for her home. “Mrs. C.S.” gave Bob her address and phone number and gave permission for me to visit her home to photograph the “Cora Lynn” mirror in situ.
After photographing the magnificent mirror on 7th. May, 2019, the dimensions of it were recorded for posterity :
The mirror is rectangular.
Imperial The height of the mirror - 11 feet 4 inches.
Imperial The width of the mirror - 5 feet 7 inches.
Metric The height of the mirror - 345 centimetres.
Metric The width of the mirror - 170 centimetres.
It appears that the height of the mirror is approximately two times the width.
In 1995, “Mrs. C.S.” of Brighton purchased the main entrance hall mirror at “Cora Lynn” for the sum of $500 from the Officer-in-charge of the demolition team.
After photographing the magnificent mirror on 7th. May, 2019, the dimensions of it were recorded for posterity :
The mirror is rectangular.
Imperial The height of the mirror - 11 feet 4 inches.
Imperial The width of the mirror - 5 feet 7 inches.
Metric The height of the mirror - 345 centimetres.
Metric The width of the mirror - 170 centimetres.
It appears that the height of the mirror is approximately two times the width.
In 1995, “Mrs. C.S.” of Brighton purchased the main entrance hall mirror at “Cora Lynn” for the sum of $500 from the Officer-in-charge of the demolition team.
The main entrance hall mirror from Brighton Girls’ Technical School, “Cora Lynn”, Cochrane Street, Brighton, now located in a private home in Brighton, Victoria. Saved from demolition by “Mrs. C.S.” in 1995. The top of the mirror is just under the arch.
Courtesy of the owner “Carolyn of Brighton”.
Courtesy of the owner “Carolyn of Brighton”.
The main entrance hall mirror from Brighton Girls’ Technical School, “Cora Lynn”, Cochrane Street, Brighton, now located in a private home in Brighton, Victoria. This photograph was taken on the angle to show the full height of the mirror – from floor level to almost the height of the ceiling which is 12 feet from the floor level. Saved from demolition by “Mrs. C.S.” in 1995.
Courtesy of the owner “Carolyn of Brighton”.
Courtesy of the owner “Carolyn of Brighton”.
The main entrance hall mirror from Brighton Girls’ Technical School, “Cora Lynn”, Cochrane Street, Brighton, now located in a private home in Brighton, Victoria. The black right-angled frame of the mirror can be seen just under the arch. Saved from demolition by “Mrs. C.S.” in 1995.
Courtesy of the owner “Carolyn of Brighton”.
Courtesy of the owner “Carolyn of Brighton”.
LAND VICTORIA. Certificate of Title Volume 1068 Folio 514. Page 1.
SITE OF THE BRIGHTON TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
SITE OF THE BRIGHTON TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
LAND VICTORIA. Certificate of Title Volume 1068 Folio 514. Pages 1 and 2
OWNERS
Certificate of Title Volume 1068 Folio 514 in the name of John McGee of Little Flinders Street West in the City of Melbourne in the County of Bourke, Merchant is now the proprietor of an Estate in Fee-simple, subject to the encumbrances notified hereunder in All that piece of Land delineated and colored red on the Map in the margin, containing five acres three roods twenty seven perches and six-tenths of a perch or thereabouts being part of Dendy’s Crown Special Survey Known as the Brighton Estate in the Parish of Moorabbin in the County of Bourke.
Dated the twenty-seventh day of November One thousand eight hundred and seventy eight.
The National Bank of Australasia Limited is now the proprietor of the within Estate and Land by Transfer from the within named John McGee registered on the 15th. day of June, 1899 at 2.47 o’clock in the afternoon, and numbered 408147.
Richard Edols of the Old White Hart Hotel corner of Bourke and Spring Streets, Melbourne, Grazier, is now the proprietor of the within described Estate and Land by Transfer from the above-named The National Bank of Australasia Limited registered on the 1st. day of December, 1905 at 11.25 o’cIock in the forenoon, and Numbered 516226.
Charlotte Ida Mary Jeffery of Cochrane Street, Brighton, Married Woman is now the proprietor of the within described estate and land pursuant to a transfer from the above-named Richard Edols registered on the 6th. day of July, 1915 at 10.48 o’clock in the forenoon and numbered 780100.
(Vertical entry on right-hand side of the document.)
The Minister of the Crown administering the Education Acts registered on 6th. February, 1926 and numbered 1251965.
Volume 5085 Folio 1016978.
……………………………….
Assistant Registrar of Titles.
Dated the twenty-seventh day of November One thousand eight hundred and seventy eight.
The National Bank of Australasia Limited is now the proprietor of the within Estate and Land by Transfer from the within named John McGee registered on the 15th. day of June, 1899 at 2.47 o’clock in the afternoon, and numbered 408147.
Richard Edols of the Old White Hart Hotel corner of Bourke and Spring Streets, Melbourne, Grazier, is now the proprietor of the within described Estate and Land by Transfer from the above-named The National Bank of Australasia Limited registered on the 1st. day of December, 1905 at 11.25 o’cIock in the forenoon, and Numbered 516226.
Charlotte Ida Mary Jeffery of Cochrane Street, Brighton, Married Woman is now the proprietor of the within described estate and land pursuant to a transfer from the above-named Richard Edols registered on the 6th. day of July, 1915 at 10.48 o’clock in the forenoon and numbered 780100.
(Vertical entry on right-hand side of the document.)
The Minister of the Crown administering the Education Acts registered on 6th. February, 1926 and numbered 1251965.
Volume 5085 Folio 1016978.
……………………………….
Assistant Registrar of Titles.
LAND VICTORIA. Certificate of Title Volume 1068 Folio 514. Page 2
LAND VICTORIA. Instrument 0056314
LAND VICTORIA. Instrument 0056314
Caveat dated eighth day of November, 1921. Land purchased by the Minister of Public Instruction, the Honorable Sir Alexander James Peacock, from members of the Jeffery family. The site of Brighton Girls’ Technical School.
LAND VICTORIA. Instrument 0056314
E.J.D. GUINESS
Crown Solicitor
Crown Solicitor
V I C T O R I A
CAVEAT FORBIDDING REGISTRATION OF ANY CHANGE IN PROPRIETORSHIP OR ANY DEALING WITH ESTATE OR INTEREST
TO THE REGISTRAR OF TITLES
TAKE NOTICE that the Honorable Sir Alexander James Peacock in his capacity as the Minister of Public Instruction (hereinafter called “the Minister”) claims an estate in fee simple under and by virtue of an agreement for sale bearing the date the fourth day of October One thousand nine hundred and twenty one and made between Charlotte Ida Mary Jeffery of Cora Lynn, Cochrane Street Brighton Married Woman on behalf of herself and Ida Irene McLachlan (formerly Jeffery) and John Harold Jeffery of the one part and the Minister of the other part, in ALL that piece of land being part of Dendy’s Crown special Survey known as the Brighton Estate in the Parish of Moorabbin in the County of Bourke more particularly described in the Certificate of Title entered in the Register Book Volume 1068 Folio 213514 standing in the Register Book in the name of the said Charlotte Ida Mary Jeffery ALSO ALL THAT piece of land being part of said Dendy’s Crown Special Survey at Brighton more particularly described in the Certificate of Title entered in the Register Book Volume 4201 Folio 840066 ALSO ALL THAT piece of land being part of said Dendy’s Crown Special Survey more particularly described in the Certificate of Title entered in the Register Book Volume 3915 Folio 782860 ALSO ALL THAT piece of land being part of said Dendy’s Crown Special Survey more particularly described in the Certificate of Title entered in the Register Book Volume 2883 Folio 576599 all standing in the Register book in the name of the said Ida Irene Jeffery AND ALSO ALL THAT piece of land being part of said Dendy’s Crown Special Survey more particularly described in the Certificate of Title entered in the Register Book Volume 3800 Folio 759916, standing in the Register Book in the name of the said John Harold Jeffery And the Minister forbids the registration of any person as transferee or proprietor of and of any instrument affecting the said estate or interest absolutely And the Minister appoints the Office of the Crown Solicitor, 461 Lonsdale Street, in the City of Melbourne, as the place at which notices and proceedings relating to this caveat may be served.
Dated this eighth day of November One thousand nine hundred and twenty one.
Signed in the presence of The Minister of Public Instruction
……………….. by his Solicitor and agent.
Clerk to Crown Solicitor, …………………
Melbourne. Crown Solicitor.
TAKE NOTICE that the Honorable Sir Alexander James Peacock in his capacity as the Minister of Public Instruction (hereinafter called “the Minister”) claims an estate in fee simple under and by virtue of an agreement for sale bearing the date the fourth day of October One thousand nine hundred and twenty one and made between Charlotte Ida Mary Jeffery of Cora Lynn, Cochrane Street Brighton Married Woman on behalf of herself and Ida Irene McLachlan (formerly Jeffery) and John Harold Jeffery of the one part and the Minister of the other part, in ALL that piece of land being part of Dendy’s Crown special Survey known as the Brighton Estate in the Parish of Moorabbin in the County of Bourke more particularly described in the Certificate of Title entered in the Register Book Volume 1068 Folio 213514 standing in the Register Book in the name of the said Charlotte Ida Mary Jeffery ALSO ALL THAT piece of land being part of said Dendy’s Crown Special Survey at Brighton more particularly described in the Certificate of Title entered in the Register Book Volume 4201 Folio 840066 ALSO ALL THAT piece of land being part of said Dendy’s Crown Special Survey more particularly described in the Certificate of Title entered in the Register Book Volume 3915 Folio 782860 ALSO ALL THAT piece of land being part of said Dendy’s Crown Special Survey more particularly described in the Certificate of Title entered in the Register Book Volume 2883 Folio 576599 all standing in the Register book in the name of the said Ida Irene Jeffery AND ALSO ALL THAT piece of land being part of said Dendy’s Crown Special Survey more particularly described in the Certificate of Title entered in the Register Book Volume 3800 Folio 759916, standing in the Register Book in the name of the said John Harold Jeffery And the Minister forbids the registration of any person as transferee or proprietor of and of any instrument affecting the said estate or interest absolutely And the Minister appoints the Office of the Crown Solicitor, 461 Lonsdale Street, in the City of Melbourne, as the place at which notices and proceedings relating to this caveat may be served.
Dated this eighth day of November One thousand nine hundred and twenty one.
Signed in the presence of The Minister of Public Instruction
……………….. by his Solicitor and agent.
Clerk to Crown Solicitor, …………………
Melbourne. Crown Solicitor.
LAND VICTORIA. Instrument 1257300
LAND VICTORIA. Instrument 1257300
TRANSFER OF LAND
LAND VICTORIA. Instrument 1257300
TRANSFER OF LAND
I, SIR ALEXANDER JAMES PEACOCK in my capacity as responsible Minister of the Crown for the time being administering the Education Acts being registered as the Proprietor of an estate in fee simple in the land hereinafter described subject to the encumbrances notified hereunder in consideration of the sum of TWO THOUSAND POUNDS paid to me as such Minister as aforesaid by the MAYOR COUNCILLORS AND CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON DO HEREBY TRANSFER to the said Mayor Councillors and Citizens of the City of Brighton ALL my estate and interest in ALL THOSE pieces of land being parts of Dendy’s Crown Special Survey at Brighton Parish of Moorabbin County of Bourke being the whole of the land particularly described in Certificates of Title entered in the Register Book Volume 3915 Folio 782860 Volume 2883 Folio 576599 and Volume 4201 Folio 840066 and that part of Dendy’s Crown special Survey at Brighton Parish of Moorabbin County of Bourke delineated and colored red on the Plan drawn in the margin hereof being part of the land particularly described in Certificate of Title entered in the Register Book Volume 5085 Folio1016978 Reserving unto the said Minister his successors and transferees registered proprietor or proprietors for the time being of the remainder of the land comprised in Certificate of Title Volume 5085 Folio 1016978 ALL THAT the full and free right and liberty to and for him and them and his and their tenants servants agents and visitors to go pass and repass into out of and from the said land through over and along the land hereby transferred and to use the same in common with all other persons entitled to the liberty for the purposes of a recreation reserve.
Dated the Fourth day of March One thousand nine hundred and twenty six.
SIGNED in Victoria by the said ALEXANDER JAMES PEACOCK in the presence of …………
THE SEAL of the MAYOR COUNCILLORS AND CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON was affixed hereto in the presence of …………..
Dated the Fourth day of March One thousand nine hundred and twenty six.
SIGNED in Victoria by the said ALEXANDER JAMES PEACOCK in the presence of …………
THE SEAL of the MAYOR COUNCILLORS AND CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON was affixed hereto in the presence of …………..
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It is believed that the land referred to above was the Brighton Technical School’s sports ground facing Cochrane Street, Brighton, and known as the ‘outer ground’ which served both the Boys’ School, and the Girls’ School. For many decades the land also served as a public recreation reserve, for all to “pass and repass into out of and from the said land through over and along the land”.
Which raises the question - why was this land not excised from the sale of the Brighton Technical School site at the time the school site was auctioned as residential housing land in 1995?
Which raises the question - why was this land not excised from the sale of the Brighton Technical School site at the time the school site was auctioned as residential housing land in 1995?
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LAND VICTORIA Certificate of Title Volume 5085 Folio 978 Page 1
LAND VICTORIA Certificate of Title Volume 5085 Folio 978 Page 1
The Minister of the Crown administering the Education Acts is now the proprietor of an Estate in Fee-simple subject to the Encumbrances notified hereunder in ALL that piece of Land, delineated and colored red on the map in the margin containing Five acres Three roods Twenty-seven perches and six-tenths of a perch or thereabouts being part of Dendy’s Crown Special Survey Parish of Moorabbin Councy of Bourke.
Dated the sixth day of February One thousand nine hundred and twenty-six.
Dated the sixth day of February One thousand nine hundred and twenty-six.
LAND VICTORIA Certificate of Title Volume 5085 Folio 978 Page 2
TRANSFER as to part to THE MAYOR COUNCILLORS AND CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON registered on 16th. March, 1926 and numbered 1257300. (See Instrument 1257300).
LAND VICTORIA Certificate of Title Volume 5085 Folio 978 Page 3
THE LAND COLORED RED AND THE WRITING IN RED INK.
Reservation as to balance (Right to go pass & repass etc. & to use as recreation reserve.)
Reservation as to balance (Right to go pass & repass etc. & to use as recreation reserve.)
LAND VICTORIA Certificate of Title Volume 5145 Folio 904 Page 1
LAND VICTORIA. Certificate of Title Volume 5145 Folio 904. Page 1.
The Mayor Councillors and Citizens of the City of Brighton is …… now the proprietor of an Estate in Fee-simple, subject to the Encumbrances notified hereunder in ALL that piece of Land, delineated and coloured blue, green and green-hatched on the map in the margin containing Four acres and Thirty-five perches or thereabouts being part of Dendy’s Crown Special Survey at Brighton Parish of Moorabbin County of Bourke As to the land colored green Together with a right of carriage way over the road colored brown and yellow on the said map As to the land colored green-hatched Together with a right of carriage way over the road colored brown on the said map.
Dated the Sixteenth day of March One thousand nine hundred and twenty-six.
ENCUMBRANCE REFERRED TO.
THE RESERVATION contained in Instrument of Transfer No. 1257300 in the Register book.
Dated the Sixteenth day of March One thousand nine hundred and twenty-six.
ENCUMBRANCE REFERRED TO.
THE RESERVATION contained in Instrument of Transfer No. 1257300 in the Register book.
………………………..
THE BURNING QUESTION.
The above Certificates of Title and Instrument of Transfer No. 1257300 record that the Mayor, Councillors and Citizens of the City of Brighton owned the ‘Public Recreation Reserve’ land facing Cochrane Street, Brighton, which was also used as the Brighton Technical School’s Sports Ground. It is public knowledge that this ‘Public Recreation Reserve’ was lost to the Public when the Brighton Technical School site was sold for residential development in 1995.
The question must be asked :
Was the substituted open space land in the centre of the new housing development a fair and just substitute for the large ‘Public Recreation Reserve’ which faced Cochrane Street, Brighton, as recorded in Instrument No. 1257300?
The question must be asked :
Was the substituted open space land in the centre of the new housing development a fair and just substitute for the large ‘Public Recreation Reserve’ which faced Cochrane Street, Brighton, as recorded in Instrument No. 1257300?