Koroit Post Office clock - a photo on Flickriver

Image available for purchase from www.ballaratheritage.com.au

Australian Heritage Places inventory details
Koroit Commercial Road Conservation Area
Source: Go to the Register of the National Estate for more information.
Identifier: 15046
Location: Commercial Rd, Koroit
Local
Government: Moyne Shire
State: VIC
Country: Australia
Statement of
Significance: The conservation area consists of a number of important public buildings and a street of relatively intact humble shopfronts and kerbline verandahs, visually punctuated by opposing bank facades. Containing a range of late nineteenth century and early twentieth century structures, the conservation area strongly evokes a sense of the town's past (Criterion E.1).
Description: Koroit is located some miles to the north of the main coastal road, the Princes Highway, and is approximately midway between Warrnambool and Port Fairy. It lies on the northern slopes of the volcanic Tower Hill, enjoying the benefits of rich soil and shelter from the weather from the Southern Ocean. The qualities of the soil have long made the district suitable to intensive cultivation, producing abundant crops of potatoes, onions and peas, usually in association with diary cattle, pigs and fat lambs. The area also once produced mustard, linseed, wheat and oats. The township of Koroit developed to serve the needs of the district. The close settlement and small holdings allowed Koroit to grow into a larger town than would normally be expected within a short distance (17km) from the regional centre, Warrnambool, and from Port Fairy which is 20km distant. The predominant green of year round cultivation and the scale of the district's holdings and buildings have led many observers to see a similarity with Irish landscapes. Commercial Road, the main street of Koroit, is a flat, straight stretch of road. This is the commercial and administrative centre of Koroit and contains a number of interesting late nineteenth and early twentieth century shops, dwellings and public buildings. The focal point of the commercial/administrative precinct is the group of public buildings near the intersection of Boundary/Commercial Road and High Street. Included are the municipal offices and the bluestone post office. The latter was built in 1872 and is of special significance through its link with author Henry Handel (Ethel) Richardson whose mother was postmistress here in 1878; Ethel's father died in Koroit in 1879 and the author used the town for the setting of the third novel in her trilogy, The Fortunes of Richard Mahony. Also included within this precinct are the courthouse (1871-72), and the state school (1878). Also of note at the intersection is the decorative Koroit Hotel with detailing showing Art Nouveau influence (especially in the verandah). Diagonally opposite is the Courthouse Inn, an interesting Edwardian weatherboard building now unlicensed but still used for accommodation. The Commercial Road shopping area runs west from this intersection, consisting primarily of single storey shops although the State Savings Bank and, directly opposite, the National Bank are exceptions. The National Bank in its present form dates from c 1872 when architect George Jobbins was commissioned to remodel the facade and to erect an additional storey. Jobbins was also commissioned to design the premises of the Colonial Bank of Australasia (now the State Savings Bank) in 1876. The design of this bank closely relates to the National Bank in Warrnambool (1868-69) designed by Lloyd Tayler, Jobbins' former employer. Though there are a number of later intrusions in the Commercial Road area, some of them unfortunate, the prevailing kerbline verandah posts and valances are still sufficient to evoke a strong sense of the town's past. This is emphasised by the town's relative isolation, being by passed by all the major district highways.

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

Taken on: March 20, 2009

Tags:

Photographer LJ Gervasoni

Koroit

Australia

March

2010

heritage

Post

Office

bluestone

building « less

Sets appears in: • Port Fairy -Moyne and heritage • Post Office

Groups appears in: • Picture Australia: Ourtown

Stats: 1,093 views

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: