NEWS FROM THE PAST
TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR SCHOOL
The building will be of brick on blue stone foundations, carried on an 18-inch bed of concrete. The front and side elevation of walls will be faced with pressed bricks, the back part of the building being cemented as a preventative to the Easterly rains. The elevations will be relieved with Murphy’s Creek stone and cement dressings. The building will house 45 boarders, while the schoolroom will comfortably seat 130 boys. Three class-rooms have been provided on the ground floor, and three on the first floor; but as this is probably more than will be required, it is intended to divert two of these into bedrooms. A dining hall, 32 feet by 19 feet, has been provided within easy access from the kitchen. A main entrance is formed in the centre of the building; also, a private entrance to the master’s residence, and a separate entrance to the schoolroom. The accommodation afforded in the master’s residence is as follows: Drawing-room, dining-room, study, three bedrooms, with dressing-room; also, a bath-room on first floor. The whole of the second floor is devoted to sleeping accommodation for the boarders, and consists of two large dormitories, 32 feet by 19 feet; also, eight others, each 16 feet by ten feet, with a separate room, to be used as a sick room.
Ventilation has been made an especial consideration in this part of the building, the ceilings of the dormitories attaining the height of 13 feet from the floor, with ventilators communicating with the main roof and to a louvred turret, giving a direct outlet to the open air. Lavatories and other offices are arranged for the use of the boys on the ground floor, with a detached building, to be used as a laundry and washhouse, separate from the main building.
The contract for the carrying out of the works has been let to Mr John Garget, of this town, for the sum of £6989; and we need hardly say that it has been entrusted to very good hands.
The site chosen for the erection of the building is on an elevation on the western slope of the Main Range, in what was formerly the Queen’s Park, and overlooks the whole town. The Government have granted to the Trustees ten acres of the old Park, and abundance of room is thus afforded for future extensions, and for playgrounds and gymnasium. Although in winter exposed to the full force of the westerly winds, it is, on the whole, as good a site as could be chosen; still, if it had been obtainable, a site nearer town would have been preferable.