The former Benalla High School building on Barkly St is many things.
It is a testament to a community’s resolve to provide education beyond primary school for all; home to precious youthful memories of so many locals; and a gateway to their successful careers; alma mater of Weary Dunlop; and a historically significant example of art deco architectural design of Percy Everett.
The Benalla High School Action Group committee believes the preservation of the original high dchool building is vital — central as it is to Benalla and its history
BHSAG recently circulated a survey to residents living in the proximity of the site seeking their views on future developments.
It asked three questions of participants:
- Please tell us what you would like to see happen to the whole site and existing buildings as a number one priority.
- Please tell us what you would like to see happen to the whole site and existing buildings as a second priority; and
- Please tell us what you definitely do not want to see happen there.
The response was not huge, but the 14 per cent of those surveyed, produced a range of interesting and varied responses.
Suggestions included community meeting rooms and facilities, a community garden, playgrounds, a community hub, and basketball and sports facilities for public use.
There was also support for emergency housing, though a majority of respondents were opposed to any form of industrial or housing development such as flats, townhouses and high-rise buildings.
The majority of Benalla residents see the high value in the site continuing as a community resource, reflecting the strong community values from the time of the school’s establishment.
In 1912 Mr Frank Tate, the Director of Education, challenged the shire council and citizens of Benalla to raise £400 so that a weatherboard building could be constructed to provide secondary classes for local children.
Benalla citizens of the time were not satisfied with the bare minimum, instead raising £750 for a purpose-built brick building.
From the germ of an idea in 1912 to the first classes held in 1914 in a permanent building was a remarkable feat.
As the population expanded, and higher forms were introduced, the additions also came with the art deco façade added in 1937, still standing in Barkly St, a monument to the town’s ambitions for the children of Benalla and district.
From the outset the building program and, more importantly, what it offered the town’s youth was a source of great municipal pride and also provided a community focal point in an emergent nationhood.
The community was a frequent and welcome presence with early photographs showing the front lawns used for local croquet matches.
The survey results, and the positive feedback the committee receives, indicates that local people are still ambitious for their town and history to be retained; and provide a glimpse of the wonderful opportunities for this site.
We are still keen to gather greater community input and support for our endeavours.
BHSAG is currently waiting for a response from the rural city council as to what its thoughts and aspirations might be for the site, and an all-important engineering inspection date of the current buildings.
There is a petition to help save the iconic Benalla High School Building and you can sign it at the Benalla Ensign office on Bridge St.
For further information, or to share your views on the site you can call BHSAG committee chair Bill Willett on 0429 947 696.
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