61-737: The Forgan Smith Building is the centrepiece of the Great Court structure in the main campus of the University of Queensland in Brisbane , Australia. The construction of the building began in 1937, and it was finished in the early 1950s. Its construction was started as an economic stimulus project by the Premier of Queensland, William Forgan Smith , during the Great Depression . It now carries Forgan Smith's name. The building
122-546: A model derived from the mid-western states of the US. A second Royal Commission in 1891 recommended the inclusion of five faculties in a new university; Arts, Law, Medicine, Science and Applied Science. Education generally was given a low priority in Queensland's budgets, and in a colony with a literacy rate of 57% in 1861, primary education was the first concern well ahead of secondary and technical education. The government, despite
183-645: A senate of 20 men and Sir William MacGregor , the incoming Governor, was appointed the first chancellor with Reginald Heber Roe as the vice chancellor. Government House (now Old Government House ) in George Street was set aside for the University following the departure of the Governor to the Bardon residence Fernberg , sparking the first debates about the best location for the university. In 1910,
244-469: A special association with the work of Hennessy, Hennessy & Co, prominent Australian architects with offices in Brisbane and Sydney, who were responsible for designing a number of institutional and educational complexes throughout Australia during the 1920s and 1930s. The original design for the university is regarded as their most aspiring proposal in Queensland and although not completed in its entirely,
305-447: A university in Queensland began in the 1870s. A Royal Commission in 1874, chaired by Sir Charles Lilley , recommended the immediate establishment of a university. Those against a university argued that technical rather than academic education was more important in an economy dominated by primary industry. Those in favour of the university, in the face of this opposition, distanced themselves from Oxford and Cambridge and proposed instead
366-521: Is 299 metres long, with a 22.7 metre central tower, with an Arts wing to its east, and a Law wing to its west, and a library and a great hall in both ends. The style of the building is described as "inter-war stripped classical style", as well as Art Deco . This article about a building or structure in Queensland is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Australian university, college or other education institution article
427-485: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Great Court, University of Queensland Great Court is a heritage-listed university colonnade at the University of Queensland , St Lucia , Brisbane , Queensland , Australia. It was designed by John (Jack) Hennessy and built from 1937 to 1979. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 8 March 2002. Proposals for
488-554: Is an important attribute of the complex, demonstrated not only by congenial characteristics such as monumental scale and form, strong horizontal and vertical lines, and materials but also the abundant sculptural work such as friezes, statues, and grotesques depicting significant individuals and events in the history of the State, the Commonwealth and the University. The public interiors of the individual buildings, particularly those in
549-504: Is an open grassed space planted intermittently with trees and shrubs and intersected by an axially placed path. The perimeter of the court consists of a continuous colonnade that links five detached buildings, all clad in Helidon sandstone of varying colours ranging from rich purples through to creams and browns. The largest of these, forming the long northern side of the court, is really a complex of three attached buildings. It consists of
610-419: Is built from locally sourced materials, with sandstone facades, Brisbane tuff (stone) (sometimes referred to incorrectly as ' Porphyry ') to the service areas, red cedar , hoop pine and cast iron . The family first arrived in Brisbane in 1859 and Adelaide House, now The Deanery of St John's Cathedral , was leased for their use as a temporary Government House , while the construction of this building
671-453: 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). [REDACTED] Media related to Great Court, University of Queensland at Wikimedia Commons Old Government House, Queensland Queensland 's first Government House is located at Gardens Point in
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#1732772790846732-448: The Queensland Heritage Register on 8 March 2002 having satisfied the following criteria. The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history. The University of Queensland, established in 1909, commemorates Queensland's 50th anniversary of its separation from the colony of New South Wales. As the state's first university, it demonstrates the gradual evolution of higher education in Queensland, which
793-473: The Birthday Ball was presumably a delicate reference to her advanced pregnancy. Agnes is believed to be the first child born in the building (the custom of those times was that children were born at home, indeed, Brisbane had no maternity hospitals in that era). Their son, George William Howard, was also born at Government House on 9 April 1864. Lady Diamantina Bowen was interested in the development of
854-531: The Congress were forwarded to Queensland Premier William Kidston . In October 1906, sixty acres in Victoria Park were gazetted for university purposes. The University of Queensland was established by an Act of State Parliament on 10 December 1909 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Queensland's separation from the colony of New South Wales . The Act allowed for the university to be governed by
915-581: The Court, as well as the two monumental figures at the main entrance to the Goddard Building. The Great Court Complex is set on the high ground in the centre of a site enclosed by Cemetery Reach , a bend in the Brisbane River , on the northern, eastern and southern sides, and St Lucia, a residential suburb, on the west. The Court, approximately semicircular in plan with eight unequal sides,
976-480: The Forgan Smith Building, are of notable interest for the high quality detailing of its materials and finishes harmoniously executed in the same style as the exteriors. The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. From its location on the highest rise of the land overlooking the surrounding campus buildings,
1037-537: The Great Court complex part of the University generally conforms to the original plan. The Great Court Complex also has a strong association with the notable craftsman, John Theodore Muller, a German stonemason responsible for completing much of the Great Court sculpture between 1939 and 1953 including the statues, friezes on the Forgan Smith and Steele Buildings: the distinctive frieze of prehistoric life on
1098-447: The Great Court is regarded as an important visual symbol of and central core to the University of Queensland. Due to this symbolism, the complex has a strong association with past and present students and faculty members throughout the state. The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history. The University of Queensland, Great Court Complex has
1159-486: The Law Library at the western end of the Forgan Smith Building which was designed by Robert Riddell . Perhaps the most significant change is that the planting within the Court is less formal than originally intended, and takes little account of Hennessy's plans for strong visual axes to tie the whole Court together. Notable also in this respect are Professor Gareth Robert 's master plan for the university which involved
1220-561: The Queensland University of Technology—QUT. Queensland University of Technology performed a major three-year restoration of the building and it re-opened in 2009, with a ceremony on 7 June 2009 to mark the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Queensland . Speakers at the ceremony included Peter Coaldrake , Queensland Governor Penny Wensley , Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and QUT Chancellor (and former Queensland Governor ) Peter Arnison . In addition to unveiling
1281-629: The Richards Building; and about half of the grotesques, coats of arms, arches and roundels. The sculptured works form an integral part of the Great Court Complex and represent an immense undertaking in stone. [REDACTED] This Misplaced Pages 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
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#17327727908461342-564: The Senate committee produced its own preliminary design. The principal building, containing Arts, Law and administration, was E-shaped and enclosed one side of an arcaded quadrangle. Related outer buildings contained Engineering, Biology, Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Geology, a museum and a teachers' training college. The Queensland Government, despite hopes for a competition, appointed the Sydney firm of Hennessy, Hennessy & Co as architects for
1403-599: The Senate handed over Victoria Park, less eleven acres reserved for a medical school , to the Brisbane City Council in exchange for the St Lucia site. During the years of the Depression that followed the university suffered progressive reduction of government funding. Cuts were made to both staff salaries and numbers while student numbers trebled between 1923 and 1933. There was no prospect of building
1464-671: The University. Opinion was divided with Professor Steele and many members of the medical profession against St Lucia because of its isolation and lack of public transport. A meeting of the Senate, on 10 December, voted for the St Lucia site on the condition that the city council provided access. Those voting for St Lucia included Archbishop James Duhig , Edwin James Droughton Stanley , Alexander Melbourne and Professor Henry Caselli Richards . Dr Lockhart Gibson , Chancellor Andrew Joseph Thynne and Archbishop Gerald Sharp were amongst those who voted for Victoria Park. In 1930
1525-611: The University. The high cost of preparing the steeply sloping land at Victoria Park for building made it a less than ideal site despite its central location and proximity to the Royal Brisbane Hospital . Yeronga Park and St Lucia were considered as options. But in 1926 the whole issue was transformed when Dr James O'Neil Mayne and Miss Mary Emelia Mayne made £ 50,000 available to the Brisbane City Council to resume land at St Lucia and present it to
1586-697: The activities of the Second World War when General Sir Thomas Blamey, head of the Australian Defence Forces, established the Forgan Smith Building as the Land Headquarters. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places. The layout of the Great Court complex is the clearest and most intact example in Australia of a university set out in accordance with
1647-536: The building about 1911. The University of Queensland used the building until the late 1930s when the university outgrew the Gardens Point campus and relocated to its current main campus at St Lucia . Old Government House has been used as the Queensland headquarters for the National Trust of Australia . Concerts have also been performed in the building. In 1969, Old Government House was placed on
1708-463: The building commemorates this transfer in December 1909. In early 1910, the Governor, Sir William MacGregor , relocated into the leased property Fernberg at Paddington , a suburb of Brisbane, as a temporary measure while a new Government House was constructed in Victoria Park . However, although the plans for the new Government House were drawn and the foundations laid, for some reason, the project
1769-491: The building in sandstone. The Michie Building was completed in 1978. In March 1979 the colonnade between the Michie Building and the Goddard Building was completed enclosing the Great Court Complex. A number of changes have been made over the years to the Great Court Complex. Some of buildings have been augmented or altered: there are various structures on top of the Goddard Building, and a new, discreet addition to
1830-596: The centrally located Forgan Smith Building, flanked by the Michie Building at the western end and Duhig Library to the east. The other buildings which face onto the central court are, moving around the perimeter clockwise from the Duhig Library, the Steele Building, the Richards Building, the Parnell Building and the Goddard Building. University of Queensland, Great Court Complex was listed on
1891-775: The closing of the circular drive and the placement of the Main Library and the Great Hall in front of the Forgan Smith Building. In 2009 as part of the Q150 celebrations, the Great Court was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as a "structure and engineering feat". As part of Hennessy, Hennessy & Co's original concept, it was intended that the Great Court would include extensive sculptural work portraying historical panels, statues, coats of arms and panels of Australian plant and animal life. Many of
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1952-424: The designs were done by Leo Drinan , who was the principal architect with Hennessy, Hennessy & Co. Work on the sculptures began in 1939, with German born John Theodore Muller and Frederick James McGowan as the principal stonemasons. Work was halted by the war in 1942 and McGowan died before it resumed three years later. Muller continued to carve until one year prior to his death at 80 years of age, in 1953. At
2013-569: The findings of the Royal Commissions, was unwilling to commit funds to the establishment of a university. In 1893, the Queensland University Extension Movement was begun by a group of private individuals who organised public lecture courses in adult education, hoping to excite wider community support for a university in Queensland. In 1894, 245 students were enrolled in the extension classes and
2074-489: The first Queensland parliament met. One month later a vote to fund a new government house was successful. The site chosen for the building was a high point of Gardens Point overlooking the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and with expansive vistas of the Brisbane River . There was an issue with the building being built in Brisbane, as the capital of Queensland had not yet been decided. The two-storey building
2135-513: The first list of significant heritage buildings compiled by the National Trust of Queensland , which protected the building from demolition. In March 1978, Old Government House became the first building to be protected by Queensland heritage legislation. In 2002, an agreement between the National Trust of Queensland , the Queensland Government and Queensland University of Technology gave custodianship of Old Government House to
2196-414: The first teaching faculties were created. These included Engineering, Classics, Mathematics and Chemistry. In December of the same year, the Senate appointed the first four professors; Bertram Dillon Steele in chemistry, John Lundie Michie in classics, Henry James Priestley in mathematics and Alexander James Gibson in engineering. In 1911 the first students enrolled. Practically from the start there
2257-504: The gardens around the building, which features lawns and flower gardens on the public sides of the building and vegetable gardens at the rear. She collaborated with Walter Hill , curator of the adjacent Brisbane Botanic Gardens on a number of projects, including large public events which extended out from the grounds of Government House into the Botanic Gardens. The house was originally lit with candles and kerosene lamps, but by
2318-536: The grounds of the Queensland University of Technology at the end of George Street in Brisbane , Queensland, Australia. The building's construction was the first important architectural work undertaken by the newly formed Government of Queensland . It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register . The government residential building was constructed to accommodate the first Governor of Queensland , Sir George Bowen , and his family. On 22 May 1860,
2379-416: The inaugural professor of physics, Thomas Parnell ) and an addition to the west wing of the Forgan Smith Building were completed. In 1962, jointly funded by state and commonwealth governments, the Goddard Building (named for the second professor of biology, Ernest James Goddard ) was completed. In 1965 three extra floors were added to the Duhig Library to the design of James Birrell . The final building at
2440-412: The innovative American collegiate planning principles introduced by Thomas Jefferson in the early 1800s. The Jeffersonian concept of an academic village is clearly demonstrated in the complex by the large, open central courtyard that is surrounded by interspersed pavilions representing different disciplines, linked together by internal colonnades. From its location on the highest rise of the land overlooking
2501-568: The late 1860s, gas became available and was installed. Unfortunately the initial pipes used were too thin and it was not possible to turn on all the gas lights simultaneously. In 1866 the Bread or Blood riot started, threatening the sacking of Government House. Hundreds of government officials were sworn in as Special Constables to assist police. The building was home to the first 11 of the Governors of Queensland and their families. The building
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2562-587: The lectures were described as practical and useful. In 1906 the University Extension Movement staged the University Congress, a forum for interested delegates to promote the idea of a university. Opinion was mobilised, a fund was started and a draft Bill for a Queensland University was prepared. Stress was laid on the practical aspects of university education and its importance for the commerce of Queensland. The proceedings of
2623-636: The lower floors of the library and the Chemistry building. It was to proceed, due to financial constraints, in stages clockwise around the court. Work was disrupted by the Second World War . The main building served its first use, from 1942-1944, as the headquarters of General Sir Thomas Blamey (head of the Australian Military Forces). The army evacuated the building and work re-commenced by 1948. The Forgan Smith Building
2684-856: The new university until 1935 when the Premier, William Forgan Smith , announced that the Queensland Government would undertake construction at St Lucia. This was one of the three major development projects initiated in the mid 1930s by the Queensland Government to create employment, the others being the Somerset Dam on the Stanley River and the Story Bridge . The University Senate called for and received schemes from various enthusiasts, including Professor Roger Hawken , Dr Frederick Walter Robinson , Andrew Baxter Leven and Dr John Bradfield . Taking ideas from these suggestions
2745-416: The once spacious Government House was now nearly fifty years old, and by the standards of the times, perceived as being too small for the Governor's residence, especially as it lacked a ballroom deemed essential for entertaining. It was decided to give Government House to be the nucleus of Queensland's first university, the University of Queensland , which was to be established at Gardens Point . A plaque on
2806-401: The plaque, Anna Bligh announced that QUT's lease of the building would be extended for another 30 years. Having restored the buildings, QUT uses it for events and functions, and provide tours and information (including interactive displays) for visitors. One of Australia's famous culinary features, the lamington was invented by the cook Armand Gallan at Government House, during the time of
2867-525: The project, principal architect John (Jack) Hennessy (1887-1955) produced the coherent and logical plan that still lies at the heart of the University. The foundation stone was laid in 1937 by Forgan Smith but it was another year before building commenced. Construction began in March 1938 with the main building, now known as the Forgan Smith Building , and was followed shortly afterward with
2928-429: The property. In 1935, its Silver Jubilee year, the University decided to commence construction at the St Lucia site. The project was one of the Forgan Smith government's major developments of the 1930s depression years, specifically aimed at creating employment. The premier's involvement is commemorated in the naming of the first completed building on the site. Between 1942 and 1945 the university played an important role in
2989-407: The rear, but these were more related to the service areas. Larger gas pipes were eventually installed to allow all the lights to be used. Although Brisbane had electricity in the late 1880s, the cost of fitting it to Government House was regarded as too expensive. About 1900, a billiard room was added at the request of Lord Lamington . The interior was renovated and redecorated in 1985–96. By 1909
3050-417: The surrounding campus buildings, the Great Court is regarded as an important visual symbol of and central core to the University of Queensland. The place is important because of its aesthetic significance. Built over a forty-year period between 1937 and 1979, the Great Court Complex is significant both architecturally and aesthetically as an extensive and distinctive example of Art Deco styling. Uniformity
3111-466: The time of his death all of the friezes, most of the statues, and half of the grotesques, coats of arms, arches and roundels were completed. Carving virtually stopped at the University after Muller's death and resumed only after the Michie Building was under construction. A competition amongst several Queensland sculptors in 1976 led to the commissioning of Mrs Rhyl Hinwood . Mrs Hinwood has since continued to carve numerous grotesques and coats of arms for
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#17327727908463172-403: The western end of the Forgan Smith was to have been a Great Hall. John Douglas Story , the vice chancellor from 1938 until 1960, proposed in 1959 that this be replaced by a western Arts building and in 1972 construction began on the Michie Building (named for first the professor of classics, John Lundie Michie ). The Queensland Government announced in 1974 that it would provide the funding to clad
3233-448: Was a gala occasion and the new Government House was praised for enabling "the Governor to exercise his hospitality without restrictions through the want of space" . There were rooms available for dancing, drinking of claret , sherry , tea and coffee and the playing of the card game whist . Meanwhile, the dowagers and other ladies not involved in the drinking, dancing and card playing were entertained in drawing room. At 1 am, supper
3294-487: Was abandoned. In 1911 the Government purchased Fernberg for £ 10,000 to be the permanent Government House of Queensland , a role that continues to the present day. On 10 December 1909, Old Government House was given to be the nucleus of the newly established University of Queensland , as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the State of Queensland . The university had electricity connected to
3355-430: Was considered a low budget priority despite recommendations made to the Government as early as the 1870s. The selection of a permanent site for the university was the subject of intense government and community debate in 1926. The eventual acquisition of land at St Lucia is strongly associated with Dr James O'Neil Mayne and his sister, Mary Emilia Mayne who made £ 50,000 available for the Brisbane City Council to purchase
3416-402: Was controversy about a permanent site for the University. Old Government House was too small and was seen by many as evidence merely of government parsimony. There was not much room for expansion and there were conflicts with the neighbouring Brisbane Central Technical College . Victoria Park had been chosen in 1906 for a permanent site and in 1922 a further 170 acres (69 ha) were vested in
3477-509: Was designed by colonial architect Charles Tiffin in the Classical revival style in 1860. The front half of the building contained the Governor's public and private rooms while the rear housed the service section. The front of the house had a plain design without displays of grandeur so as not to affront politicians and country citizens. The first stage of the building was completed in March 1862 by builder Joshua Jeays . The building
3538-421: Was modified somewhat during those years, the most obvious difference to the public face of the building being the roofing of the previously open upper terraces converting them into more Queenslander-style verandahs . In 1873, a roof was built over the balcony. By the late 1870s the building was being described as inadequate, particularly for large scale entertainment purposes. Some extensions were also made at
3599-474: Was officially opened in May 1949 by Premier Ned Hanlon . The Duhig Library (two-stories only and named for Archbishop Sir James Duhig ) was also ready by this time, as was the Steele Building (named for the first professor of chemistry, Professor Bertram Steele ). In 1951 the Richards Building (named for the first professor of geology, Henry Caselli Richards ) was completed. In 1955 the Parnell Building (named for
3660-458: Was served in the quadrangle, protected by a canvas roof and decorated with candles and Chinese lanterns . The dancing continued until 4 am, although the Bowens did not participate in the dancing due to his wife Lady Diamantina's delicate health . Approximately one month later on 26 July 1862, Lady Diamantina was safely delivered of a daughter, Agnes. Lady Diamantina's "delicate health" at
3721-543: Was undertaken. The Governor and his family moved into the building in April 1862. The first public function held in the building was a ball on Monday 16 June 1862 to celebrate the birthday of Queen Victoria . The ball was to have been earlier (Victoria's birthday being 24 May), but was postponed due to a period of public mourning for the Prince consort Albert . Sir George and Lady Diamantina Bowen hosted 300 to 400 guests. It
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