Free Library of the Mechanics' Institute, Bendigo, Victoria

            Bendigo Mechanics’ Institute & Free Library and School of Mines and Industries, bounded by four Bendigo streets.
A teaching complex developed over a large number of years,
Now the Bendigo Regional College of TAFE.

In 1854 an acre site was secured by a Government grant for the Sandhurst Mechanics Institute and Free Library.
In 1871 the Institute decided to set up a School of Mines and initially the school used space in the Institute building, lessons starting in 1873.

A timber framed canvas pavilion constructed in 1854 to house an exhibition, was officially opened as the Mechanics’ Institute in 1856.
1864 the first permanent Mechanic’s Institute, designed by Vahland and Getzschmann, was added to the west side of the pavilion. This contained a library, committee room and public reading room at ground floor level and a hall above.

Fire destroyed the pavilion in 1865: a new section was built with a wing added to the east in 1871.
In 1878 a new façade and portico was added to the McCrae Street aspect, by architect W C Vahland, with completed building opening in 1879.
In the 1880s more buildings, designed by Vahland, were constructed. 
From 1885–87 a library, octagonal in form, was built at the rear of the Mechanics’ Institute building.
In 1904 the School of Mines officially took over the assets and liabilities of the Mechanics’ Institute, including the library. Further sections were added to the complex in the 1920s. 

*Bendigo was formerly named Sandhurst.
*W C Vahland, the noted German architect, designed all the 19th century buildings on the site.
*Decoration was undertaken by artist and modeller, Otto Waschatz whose work can also be seen in the Melbourne and Bendigo Town Halls.
*Mechanics’ Institute and Free Library listed on the National Trust Register of Australia.
Ref: Victorian Heritage Register



   

Taken on: April 3, 2017

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Camera: Nikon D7100, f/3.5, 1/50 sec, 18mm, ISO 800 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D7100
Aperture:	f/3.5
Exposure Time:	0.02 sec (1/50)
Focal Length:	18mm
ISO:	800
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Not Defined
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Windows Photo Editor 10.0.10011.16384
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