The Former Leongatha Mechanics' Institute and Free Library - McCartin Street, Leongatha

            The former Leongatha Mechanics' Institute and Free Library was designed by H. V. and A. Champion and constructed by Loring and Speers between 1911 and 1912 at 10 McCartin Street, Leongatha.

The original Leongatha Mechanics' Institute was erected in 1891 on the site next to the building's current address where now stands the grand Leongatha Memorial Hall.  The present building, consiting of two large rooms and a billiard saloon, was opened by the Honourable J. E. Mackey on the 26th of March 1912.  It functioned as a working library, meeting room and billiard hall for working men of the district up until 1982.

The building itself is an interesting one, especially notable for the construction of the walls which were made with river weeds covered with plaster.  This latter technique is unique within the local shire, and possibly the State of Victoria.  The Mechanics' Institute is also notable for the ceiling in the front room and vestibule which was made from pressed steel. It is also important as a part of a historic streetscape.  The building has a cement brick facade with two large windows and a large doorway. Over the doorway and one of the windows are iron canopies.  Aesthetically, it is a notable example of early 20th Century Federation design, unusually and effectively employing concrete blocks in Classical detailing.  The building was designed to contain a Public Reading Room, Members' Room and Billiard Room.  Historically, the building illustrates the development of Mechanic's Institute in Leongatha and their important role in the development of the local community, both in a social and intellectual sense. It is also important for its use as the first Leongatha Public Library.  It is an integral and notable part of the highly important group of civic buildings that are an essential part of the historic character of Leongatha.

When the doors finally closed for the Leongatha Mechanics' Institute and Free Library in 1982, it did not spell an end to the building's functionality.  The Leongatha and Distric Historical Society was given the use of the building by the Shire of Woorayl in 1983, and it received a National Trust classification in 1984, thus preserving it for future generations to enjoy.

The Mechanics' Institute Movement began in British urban industrial cities in the early 1800s to enable men of the lower classes to improve themselves.  A "mechanic" was a person applying skills and technology.  During the Nineteenth Century, most towns in Victoria established a Mechanics' Institute or Athenaeum with a library and meeting hall.  Common objects of the Mechanics' Institute Movement was to spread useful knowledge and provide rational (non alcoholic) recreation for the community.

Leongatha is a town in the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges, South Gippsland Shire, Victoria, Australia, located 135 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. The town is the civic, commercial, industrial, religious, educational and sporting centre of the region.   The Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co. Limited, is a farmers' co-operative which trades in Australia under the Devondale label, and has a dairy processing plant just north of the town producing milk-based products for Australian and overseas markets.  First settlement of the area by Europeans occurred in 1845. The Post Office opened as Koorooman on 1 October 1887 and renamed Leongatha in 1891 when a township was established on the arrival of the railway.  The Daffodil Festival is held annually in September. Competitions are held and many daffodil varieties are on display. A garden competition is also held and there are many beautiful examples throughout the provincial town.  The South Gippsland Railway runs historical diesel locomotives and railcars between the market and dairy towns of Nyora and Leongatha, passing through Korumburra.

Taken in: Australia / Victoria / Leongatha (show map)

Taken on: January 10, 2013

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Camera: Canon DIGITAL IXUS 80 IS, f/4.0, 1/400 sec, 11.6mm, ISO 125 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon DIGITAL IXUS 80 IS
Aperture:	f/4.0
Exposure Time:	0.003 sec (1/400)
Focal Length:	11.6mm
ISO:	125
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Auto, Did not fire
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
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