We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land.
We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons.
Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written
or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Collingwood Technical School
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
For over 140 years, the site of the former Collingwood Technical School on Johnston Street, Melbourne, has played an integral role in the well being of the local community.
It has been a civic hub, including courthouse (1853), Council Chambers (1860) and the Collingwood Artisans’ School of Design (1871). The school opened in 1912 when its first principal, Matthew Richmond, rang a bell on the street to attract new students. Collingwood was a poor and industrial suburb, and as a trade school, young boys were offered the opportunity to gain industrial employment skills.
Throughout the twentieth century, Collingwood Technical School supported the local and broader community. From training schemes for ex-servicemen who were suffering from post traumatic stress following World War I (1914-1918), to extra classes during the Great Depression, and the development of chrome and electroplating for machine parts for the Australian Army and Air Force during World War II (1939-1945).
The precinct between Johnston, Perry and Wellington Streets has transformed over time, including expansion with new buildings and school departments, and the change in the demographic of students as Collingwood evolved from an industrial centre to eventual gentrification. And in 1984, New York street artist, Keith Haring (1958-1990), painted a large mural onsite.
Collingwood Technical College closed in 1987 when it amalgamated with the Preston TAFE (Technical and Further Education) campus. Education classes continued until 2005 and the site sat empty for more than a decade, before a section was redeveloped for Circus Oz in 2013.
The former school now has a new identity as Collingwood Arts Precinct, and is being developed into an independent space for small and medium creative organisations. The heritage buildings will house the next generation of thinkers and makers, and will become a permanent home to the arts in Collingwood.
Film - Tiny Empire Collective, 'Collingwood Technical School', 2017
Courtesy of Tiny Empire Collective and Culture Victoria
Film - Tiny Empire Collective, 'Collingwood Technical School', 2017
[MUSIC PLAYING]
35 Johnston Street is undergoing a transformation to become the Collingwood Arts Precinct-- a new hub for artists and creative communities. Located at the original site of Collingwood's Courthouse, this space stood as a centre for art, design, and vocational education for over 140 years-- most notably as Collingwood Technical School.
Intrinsically linked to the area's rich industrial history, Collingwood Tech opened in 1912 and created opportunities for boys and men to become skilled in a trade.
My name's Ronald Gumley and I grew up in North Carlton. I'm the oldest of five children-- four boys and a girl. I went to Collingwood Technical School in 1949, 1950, and halfway through '51-- when left at the age of 14 to get a job. Mum and Dad needed the money, and that was the major reason.
My name's George Ioannidis. We came from a little village over from Greece. We left there 1959 and arrived here in January 14, 1960. Yes and no was the only two words I knew. And I started in grade three at George Street State School. Finished grade six and then straight over to Collingwood Tech from 1964 till '67, which was four years. That's all you did there.
In those days, there was only two choices-- you went on to high school and into university. Or you chose a trade and went one of the technical schools, which were all over Melbourne. And Collingwood Tech was always a part of every family.
For 75 years, it educated, inspired, and laid the foundations for the careers of thousands of students.
I was very lucky to come to Collingwood Tech because a lot of us were meant for trade school, you know? Plumbers, electricians, fitters, spray painters, and the list goes on and on and on.
Technical schools then would have given you an idea on what trade to go into. They tried to have a bit of everything. There was carpentry, sheet metal, fitting and turning, art, painting and decorating.
When you start using lathes and drills, you think, wow. I'm talking 12, 13-year-olds. And that was a big, big buzz to be able to use these machines. You think, yeah, I want to do more of this.
I think the practice regarding the trades has been an advantage to me all my life.
Everything I did, I would never take back. I loved it.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Collingwood was an industrial hub. And Collingwood Tech continued to serve as a training ground for the next generation of tradesmen in the area.
It was a working class area with factories. People lived and worked in the area or nearby suburbs. And you can still see around Collingwood remnants of that. And where the factories are being turned into apartments.
When I was growing up, the only things that went up were the Collingwood flats and the Fitzroy flats. Which is sad because I'm older than those buildings in town.
There was very few restaurants or anything like that.
I mean, every second shop was a butcher shop, a fruit sharp, clothes. No bars, no restaurants. There was a fish shop and that was it.
As the neighbourhood changed, Collingwood Tech changed with it and by the 1970s, the school was admitting girls. Waves of immigration and gentrification reinvented the Collingwood of George and Ron's youth.
Now it's turned full circle. It's the place to go. It really contributes with the other suburbs around to Melbourne being one of the greatest cities in the world.
It's a lot different now. I would never ever want to leave, because it's still Collingwood at the end of the day.
Although changed, the spirit of Collingwood endures-- with its connection to its industrial past still visible in the fabric of its communities and distinct architecture. The Collingwood Arts Precinct will continue this trend by linking the future of the site to the legacy and memories of its past. Breathing new life into this important local space. Bringing together communities and renewing its sense of creative purpose.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Courtesy of Tiny Empire Collective and Culture Victoria
35 Johnston Street has stood as a centre for art, design and vocational education for over 140 years, most notably as Collingwood Technical School.
Exploring the history of the former Collingwood Technical School with interviews with past students, footage of the current site and historic photos, this film aims to chart the social history of the site and its place within the local community.
The site is now undergoing a transformation to become the Collingwood Arts Precinct - a new hub for artists and creative communities. Although changed, the spirit of Collingwood endures - with its connection to its industrial past still visible in the fabric of its communities and distinct architecture. The Collingwood Arts Precinct will continue this trend by linking the future of the site to the legacy and memories of its past.
Photograph - The suburb of Collingwood: southeast view across Perry Street, 1886, Collingwood Local History Photograph Collection Yarra Libraries
Courtesy of Yarra Libraries
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Black and white photograph of the southeast view across Perry Street and the suburb of Collingwood, c.1886.
This image was taken on the site of the former Collingwood Technical School, between Johnston and Perry Streets, Collingwood. On the opposite side of Perry Street is a house with a lattice work porch and the two storey Janefield's dairy. Further down the street are several houses with wooden shingle roofs, one in very poor repair.
In Otter Street is St Joseph's Catholic church and on the corner of Wellington Street, is St George's Presbyterian church. In Wellington Street are the Wellington Hotel, Bryant's variety store, the Studley Arms Hotel and the Londonderry Hotel. Over the roof of the Studley Arms Hotel can be seen rows of identical houses, probably in Campbell Street. On the west side of Wellington Street, St Joseph's hall is under construction. In the distance is the Wesleyan Methodist church in Gipps Street.
Photograph - City of Collingwood Council Chambers and Courthouse, 1887, Collingwood Local History Photograph Collection Yarra Libraries
Courtesy of Yarra Libraries
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Black and white photograph of the City of Collingwood Council Chambers and courthouse in 1887. The Collingwood Technical School was based in these buildings from 1912-1923.
The bluestone 'Police Court' was designed by state government Architect, Peter Kerr (1820 – 1912), and was built in 1853 at 35 Johnston Street. While it no longer exists, other notable buildings by Kerr that are prominent in Melbourne today include; Customs House, Government Post Office (GPO), and the Parliament of Victoria.
The East Collingwood Council was first elected in October 1855 and in 1860, the City of Collingwood Council Chambers, including the Town Clerk Office, were built next to the courthouse. Council opened a free public library in these rooms that was made available for readers in the evening. The Police Court Office was located at the back of the building.
In 1871, the Collingwood Artisans’ School of Design was established to teach technical drawing and operated after hours in the courthouse from 7.30pm - 9pm. After the new and imposing Collingwood Town Hall opened in May 1887, the council offices and court function moved to Hoddle Street, Collingwood. The Johnston Street facilities became home to the Working Men's Club until it became incorporated into the Collingwood Technical School, based in the buildings from 1912 - 1923.
Flyer - Collingwood Artisans' School of Design Printed Flyer, Collingwood Artisans' School of Design, 1871, State Library Victoria
Courtesy of State Library Victoria
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
This flyer is an advertisement from 1871 for the Collingwood Artisans’ School of Design, Johnston Street, Collingwood. Classes were held on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm to 9pm in the bluestone courthouse (1853) adjacent to the City of Collingwood Council Chambers.
For two shillings per quarter, technical drawing subjects on offer included Architecture, Practical Geometry, Landscape and Elementary Free Hand. Women were later admitted in 1879.
The renowned Australian Impressionist artist, Tom Roberts (1856-1931), began his formal artistic training at the Collingwood Artisans’ School of Design in 1871, attending until 1874, when he went to the Trades Hall School of Design, Carlton. He had moved to Collingwood from Dorchester, England, in 1869, with his widowed mother and two siblings. They lived nearby in Dight Street and he also worked locally as an assistant in Hewitt's Photographic Studios.
After the new and imposing Collingwood Town Hall opened in May 1887, the council offices and court function moved to Hoddle Street. The Johnston Street facilities became home to the Working Men's Club until it became incorporated into the Collingwood Technical School, based in the buildings from 1912 - 1923. To house the growing number of students, in 1924, a larger dedicated school building was constructed on site, facing Perry Street.
Courtesy of NMIT Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Courtesy of NMIT Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Collingwood Technical School Prospectus: 1913-1930. Presented to Matthew Richmond, first principal, on the occasion of his retirement, 6 June, 1930.
The firm of Du Rieu & Co., which operated from a shop at 9 Johnston Street, Collingwood, as the Magpie Press, did all the printing of the Collingwood Technical School from 1912-1972. The business closed in 1972, shortly before the death of its owner Mr Charles Du Rieu in 1973. On the occasion of the retirement of Matthew Richmond (1865-1941), first principal of Collingwood Technical School, Mr Du Rieu presented him with two bound copies of the school Prospectus from each year of his service: 1913-1930.
The prospectus for Collingwood Technical School outlines the courses available and lists staff and others associated with the school in each year. On 3 March, 1974, Mr Richmond’s two daughters, Miss Richmond and Miss Bell, presented the volumes to the Collingwood Technical College.
Courtesy of NMIT Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Courtesy of NMIT Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
The Collingwood Technical School emblem was designed around 1914, probably by its first principal Matthew Richmond (1865-1941). It consists of a gear wheel and try square, a pair of calipers, an artist's palette and the monogram ‘CTS’.
The traditional Collingwood colours of black and white relate to the local Australian Rules Football Team Collingwood FC, which was established in 1892. These colours also stood for purity (white) and the darkness of ignorance (black). It was used throughout the history of the school including on school badges, stationery, uniforms and signage.
‘The badge of the Collingwood Technical School in the well-known black and white colours of Collingwood, symbolises some of the activities of the school. The surrounding gear wheel represents engineering, and the square is symbolical of the trades which employ this useful instrument. A pair of calipers shows that science forms a part of the curriculum, just as the palette stands for art.
Set in the white ground formed by the palette, the letters C.T.S. indicate a school whose activities are too many and varied to be represented completely by symbolic signs.
The school has no motto, preferring not to draw on the dead language of the past to express some aspiration which has to be translated into the words of the living present [1].’
[1] School Badges Have a Meaning, The Argus, Melbourne, 24 May 1934, p.8.
Photograph - Disabled Soldiers' Woodworking Class at Collingwood Technical School, 1917, State Library Victoria
Courtesy of State Library Victoria
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Almost immediately after the outbreak of the World War I (1914-1918), many servicemen returned to Australia either physically or mentally unfit to work. Collingwood Technical School expanded its educational program when the State War Council established a Returned Soldier's Training Scheme.
Noting the potential issues of rehabilitating returned servicemen who were disabled or suffering from shell shock, the Collingwood Technical School Council noted that few of the students would be 'normal', and any attempt to train them required the best educational skills available. Via the Soldier’s Employment Bureau, candidates were chosen for instruction in basic carpentry, including toy making and other forms of wood work. Tasks included wood turning and lathe skills for the construction of picket gates, and office and verandah chairs.
Photograph - Collingwood Technical School Plastering Class Apprentices Session 1925-26, 1926, State Library Victoria
Courtesy of State Library Victoria
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
This photograph shows detailed plastering work completed by apprentices at the Collingwood Technical School at a session held over 1925 and 1926.
Learning how to create ornate cornices and architectural features was part of standard training in Solid Plastering during this period. Many trades were taught at the school including carpentry, plumbing, turning and fitting, bricklaying, plastering, electrical wiring and electrical mechanical engineering. The boot and shoe department was also popular with students and had strong ties to local industry in Collingwood.
Plastering classes were discontinued at the end of Term 2 in 1942, due to the lack of need during the duration of World War II (1939-1945). Over thirty years of instruction, there were only three dedicated part time evening instructors; Mr A. Grant (1913-1925), Mr C.W. Nichols (1926-1930), and Mr P.P. Dundon (1931-1942), the latter having been Nichols’ assistant from 1926-1930. The classes made a brief return in 1950 and were popular again by the 1980s.
Photograph - Principal Strang and students admiring new machinery at Collingwood Technical School, 1935, State Library Victoria
Courtesy of State Library Victoria
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
The Melbourne suburbs of Collingwood and Fitzroy were central to footwear manufacture in Victoria from the 1860s to the mid twentieth century. The boot and shoe department became the largest at Collingwood Technical School.
Collingwood Technical School was strongly supported by local industry via significant donations of equipment and scholarship awards. It was advantageous for companies such as the British United Machinery Company of Australia to invest in the school and gain trained apprentices for immediate employment.
‘A picture taken yesterday morning at Collingwood Technical School shows Mr. H. Moore, of the British United Machinery Co., which has presented four machines for teaching boot manufacture to the school, demonstrating the latest model inseam trimming machine. Four hundred apprentices attend the classes held nightly at the school. On the left is standing the principal, Mr. A. Strang [1].’
[1] 'Gift of Machinery for Technical School', The Age, Melbourne, 13 June 1935, p.11.
Machine - Coltech Centre Lathe, c. 1937, NMIT Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Courtesy of NMIT Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Courtesy of NMIT Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
The Coltech Centre Lathe was first patented in 1937 and was designed and manufactured at Collingwood Technical School.
As part of an Australian Federal and State Government program, in 1937 Collingwood Technical School received significant grants of £11,000 to participate in the Youth Employment Scheme. This considerable sum was a cash injection into practical training and was in response to the ongoing hardships and unemployment still experienced in the community from the Great Depression (1929 - 1932).
Collingwood Technical School set to task and developed the renowned Coltech Centre Lathe. Shortened from the school name, it was a 5.25” swing lathe designed at the school by teachers. It had over seventy components and because of this, it became a useful training exercise for students to put it together.
The ‘Coltech’ also found applications in ammunition manufacture for the duration of World War II (1939-1945). As part of the Defence program, the lathe was manufactured in substantial numbers with component parts being made at many technical Schools in Victoria. It was enlarged to 6” and twelve were used by the Ammunition Factory at Footscray, to ream dies for the making of bullet cartridge cases.
Design drawings for constructing the ‘Coltech’ were sent to the Central Drawing Office in Maribyrnong where it was also modified and drawings were supplied to other states and New Zealand [1].
[1] G. Eraclides, V. Achia, Book History of NMIT Version 7 – with Edits, Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT), Melbourne, 1 July 2015, pp. 40-41.
Photograph - Bert Eastman; caretaker of Collingwood Technical School: 1941-1978, c. 1941, Collingwood Technical College Commemorative Website
Courtesy of Collingwood Technical College Commemorative website and Eastman Family
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Courtesy of Collingwood Technical College Commemorative website and Eastman Family
Black and white photograph of Collingwood Technical School Caretaker, Bert Eastman, with his dog. He is standing in the courtyard of his house, located on top of the school, c. 1941.
Bert Eastman was the live-in caretaker at Collingwood Technical College for more than 37 years from 1941, until his retirement in 1978. He also served in World War II. Bert and his wife Betty, raised their daughter Leonie, born in 1949, in a weatherboard house built on top of the fourth floor of the Johnston Street building. Seventy-six steps over two flights lead up to the front door and to a small courtyard.
Bert was responsible for the maintenance of the school buildings; opening and closing rooms and buildings at the beginning and end of each day, cleaning and overseeing other cleaners. Leonie [said that], ‘he had the biggest bunch of keys you could ever imagine, a key for every door in the school, but he knew what every key was for.’ He was on duty from early morning until 9pm each night, providing security, continuity and practical assistance to teachers, students and parents. At night he locked and chained the big double gates on Johnston Street [1].’
In 1978, Bert and Betty moved to a new house in Diamond Creek, on the outskirts of Melbourne, and Bert's niece, Elaine Parson, was the Principal's/Director's Secretary from 1974 to 1988.
[1] Scott, I.D, COLTECH: a story of technical education in Collingwood, 1870-1987, Collingwood College of TAFE, Melbourne, November 1988, pp.158-159.
Photograph - Electroplating teacher, Fred Beringer, retires from Collingwood Technical School, 1963, NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Courtesy of NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Courtesy of NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
This news photograph shows electroplating teacher, Fred Beringer, with students, the day before his retirement from the Collingwood Technical School, 9 May, 1963. He taught at the school from 1938-1963.
Electroplating became a speciality trade at Collingwood Technical School from 1934. Head of Department, Fred Beringer, made a substantial contribution to the defence and instrumentation industries through his research and experimentation into hard chromium plating.
During the Second World War (1939-1945), success with this relatively new process drew the attention of the Munitions Laboratories in Maribyrnong, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and the Department of Civil Aviation, NSW Railways and the New Zealand government. Under his direction, thousands of gauges used by the Australian Army were reconditioned by students and sent back into service. The Department of Civil Aviation issued Beringer a ‘Ground Engineer’s Licence’ and in 1948, the school was issued a Certificate of Approval to electroplate aircraft parts.
The accompanying article reads: ‘Mr Fred Beringer, who has taught electroplating at Collingwood Technical School for the past twenty-five years, will retire tomorrow after fifty years as a craftsman. Mr Beringer is showing Mario Glessig and Gregory Fox how to plate out impurities, at the school yesterday [1]’.
[1] 'Fifty Years A Craftsman', The Age, Melbourne, 9 May 1963.
Magazine - Turawan - the magazine of Collingwood Technical School, Magpie Press, 1974, NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Courtesy of NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Courtesy of NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Turawan was the Collingwood Technical School magazine. It began in 1960 and was produced several times a year.
Turawan contained articles from staff and students at Collingwood Technical School. It reported on school news, sports, excursions and activities and encouraged a strong connection between the school and industry via advertising services, apprenticeships and awards. In a 1960 edition, a full page spot states: ‘To stimulate ambition among trainees in the shoe industry, The The British United Shoe Machinery Company of Australia Proprietary Limited, deems it an honour to award the lead shoe-making apprentice each year, The "BUSMC Award of Merit'.
The Award has become a highly sought after prize and has been founded to reward the achievements of student Craftsmen. The British United Shoe Machinery Company, Directors and staff, congratulate the Collingwood Technical School on the completion of another successful year in the training of young men in the industry.’
The magazine was named after a dreamtime story drawn from the Cammeraygal tribe, the traditional owners of the Lower North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
"Long ago an eaglehawk, Mullion, had his nest in a large tree. The eaglehawk would swoop down from the tree, catch a person and fly off with him. This continued for years and the people couldn’t do anything about it because the tree was unbelievably large. In despair the tribe called together the wise men, Murriwunda and Koomba, to assist them. They decided that if they could climb the tree carrying a piece of burning wood with them, then they could set the nest on fire. They tried but failed – and then decided to enlist the help of their feathered friends the Turawan. The Turawan divided themselves into two groups; one carried firesticks in their beaks while the other fought an aerial battle with the Mullion. Thus the nest was burned and the tree destroyed. Who are the Turawan? They are the grey Magpies of Australia, and even today they will swoop down on their enemies and drive them off using their powerful wings and terrible beaks (Turawan, 1967)."
Photograph - Lisa Howden: first female plumbing apprentice in Victoria, c. 1978, NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Courtesy of NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Courtesy of NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Black and white photograph of Lisa Howden, the first female plumbing apprentice student in Victoria, at Collingwood Technical College, 1978.
In 1978, Lisa Howden attended Collingwood Technical College, and was the first female plumbing apprentice in Victoria. She was influenced to follow her father George in the same trade, who had established the family business, GE Howden & Co, in 1957. Lisa, her brother Paul and sister Gina, along with their cousin Andrew, all became plumbers and worked at GE Howden & Co. After Paul and George both passed away, Andrew now runs the business with his wife Brenda and their son Corey in West Brunswick, Melbourne.
Photograph - Keith Haring Mural at Collingwood Technical College, c. 1990, NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Courtesy of NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Courtesy of NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
A surprising and significant feature on the former Collingwood Technical College building is the large two storey mural by New York street artist, Keith Haring (1958-1990).
In the 1980s, Haring was a cool and alternative rising star in the international art world and was invited to Australia in 1984 for the inaugural art project to launch the Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA).
The location was chosen for its authenticity; Haring commented that "Collingwood has a great community feel about it. Though its supposed to be a poor area, its nothing like the poverty I have seen in New York [1]." Teachers and volunteer students wrangled a scissor lift to lay down the yellow background with paint brushes and rollers, and then Haring painted his characteristic red dynamic figures and computer brain caterpillar in one day. A small wooden door with his signature and an iconic 'crawling baby’ motif went missing from the site, soon after it was painted (anonymously returned to Arts Victoria in 2013). The work on Johnston Street is one of only 31 known remaining Haring murals in the world. The original paint used by the teachers was not of high quality and overtime, it faded away. In 2013, the mural was restored by conservators to its original vibrancy.
[1] Bellamy, L., 'Collingwood Tech’s Wall of Renown', The Melbourne Times, Melbourne, 14 March 1984, p. 3.
Photograph - Collingwood Technical School Teacher Ian Roberts, 1989, NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Courtesy of NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
Reuse this media
Can you reuse this media without permission?No (with exceptions, see below)
Conditions of use
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Attribution
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Courtesy of NMIT Archive Collection (Melbourne Polytechnic)
This photograph is drawn from an instructional manual produced at the Collingwood Campus, Northern Metropolitan College of TAFE, in 1989.
The image shows teacher, Ian Roberts, using a screwdriver to sound check the smooth running of bearings after re-assembling a pump, at the Collingwood Campus of TAFE. The manual is a fine example of desktop publishing from the time and consists of a plastic ring bound folder with paper pages in plastic sleeves.
Each page contains a pasted in photograph and computer printed instructions. This edition was available for student loan and its purpose was to show how to dismantle a pump, manufacture a new shaft to specifications using a small cylindrical grinder, and then re-assemble the spindle and vee belts so that all components operate smoothly. It was decommissioned from the Melbourne Polytechnic library service in 2017.
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands
where we live, learn and work.