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Physical Description

Setting & Grounds
The C B Newling Centre is an impressive Classical Revival building that stands high on a hill overlooking the City of Armidale set within its original attractive grounds.

Garden & Grounds
The College Building is surrounded by gardens that are representative of the 1930s period. The entry to the precinct from Mossman Street is along an avenue of elm trees (Ulmus procera) dating from the time of the gaol (c.1859-1920); past a rosemary War Memorial hedge (Rosmarinus officinalis). Formal rose gardens line the eastern and southern sides. Annual garden beds are dotted throughout the grounds. Deciduous trees including pin oaks (Quercus palustris) and elms, are planted in a symmetrical arrangement down the sloping garden lawn to the southern boundary on Kentucky Street. The formality of the garden is continued by the extensive hedges and mature trees planted on the western side of the main building.

The gardens were designed and tended by the head gardener, Frederick T. Dye until his retirement in 1955. A memorial pond to Dye is a prominent feature of the landscaping. The entry to the grounds is by gates dedicated to World War Two Servicemen. A number of other memorials and memorial plantings are located throughout the grounds. The majority of the garden is still extant in design.

Buildings
Based on the Sydney Teachers' College, it is built around two internal courtyards. At the time of the unveiling of the foundation stones, the 'Armidale Express', 4 November 1929, described the building as 'The style was free treatment of Italian Renaissance. The main portion was to be dominated by six Ionic columns, flanked by end pavilions partly enclosing the logia annexes. Above this rose circular headed well-portioned windows. The proposed finish was to be of beautifully tinted local bricks relieved with granolithic cement facing'.

The building has a long hipped slate roof with colonnaded verandahs recessed under the roofline. The Armidale blue brick has rendered quoining around the windows and doorways. Wide steps lead to the verandah then into a central entrance hall with a staircase leading to the first floor and auditorium. This area features terrazzo, parquetry floor and a variety of local Australian timbers lining the walls. The central section of the building on its high verandah features massive, two storey, Ionic columns. The arches to the lower windows continue the effect of the verandah. No significant alterations have been completed to the front facade.

The main building features the College Auditorium with its stage, timbered and stepped seating. This was an important setting for assemblies, college drama, musicals, meetings and teaching. The Gymnasium is situated on the lower ground floor. It was constructed with special care and expert advice was sought. Apart from physical activities, it was the setting for the 'Saturday Night' dance, significant social events for locals and students alike.

Situated to the west of the College, is the brick Principal's Residence built at the same period as the main building. It is a significant element in an outstanding grouping. It is a simply styled and proportioned domestic building, with a symmetrical facade. Design and materials complement the large adjoining Classical Revival College building. There is liver faced brick with rendered colonnade leading to the central recessed verandah; slate over verandah roofline but with arches unsympathetically glassed in. Formal entrance on the eastern side with garden steps at the front.

Modifications

1933 Rose gardens instigated.
1935 Stained glass window ‘Wisdom’ by Norman Carter presented by Howard Hinton.
1937 Stained glass window ‘Sport’ by Norman Carter presented by Howard Hinton.
1947 Planning commenced for the Memorial Gardens.
1949 April 15 World War Two Memorial gates leading from Mossman Street officially opened.
1976 New Armidale College of Advanced Education library opened on 16 October; situated in the south west corner of the precinct.
1976 Formation of the Cafeteria, Members’ Lounge, kitchens and games rooms on the ground floor of the western and southern wings.
1976 Formation of the Expressive Arts Studio in the East Quadrangle and modifications to internal areas on the ground floor of the east and north wings.
1976 Formation of a series of Curriculum Centre and a workshop space on the first floor.
1976 Removal of the Library from the main building and opening of the New England Historical Resources Centre in the former library space. Conversion of part of the library on the first floor into a lecture room and office space.
1977 College Union facilities opened on the ground floor of the west wing. These facilities included a cafeteria, members’ lounge and kitchens and games rooms which were formed out of classrooms at the western end of the south wing.
1978 New stairs to replace the central southern stairs constructed. This meant the removal of the major stair located centrally in the southern wing and construction of a new reinforced concrete stair, which provided access from the grounds.
1982 Northern part of the Aboriginal Studies Centre constructed in the western quadrangle.
1983 The southern part of the Aboriginal Studies Centre constructed in the southern quadrangle.
1987 Sketch plans prepared for completion of the East Wing.

Condition

The building is essentially unaltered with much of its original interior fabric intact. The auditorium, ground floor and eastern wing has recently undergone restoration.

The elm trees leading from the front entrance in Mosman Street date from the old gaol. The archaeological potential of the gaol is unclear at this time, although it is suggested by Elphick (1989, p.23) that 450,000 bricks were recycled. Drummond specified that the bricks were not to be visible, he did not want any association with the gaol. It is thought that the bricks were mainly used in the lower courses that were either out of sight or were rendered. Maps and photographs indicate the main gaol buildings were located on the brow of the hill, the present location of the C.B. Newling Centre. Therefore there is little likelihood of extensive archaeological evidence of the gaol. Anecdotal evidence from the 1970s indicates there may be archaeological remains of outbuildings or other features, during road works a tank thought to be associated with the gaol was uncovered.

The garden retains significant elements of a 1930s formal garden. The rose gardens were first established in 1933. Situated on the eastern and western sides of the College, the species trace the history of roses. The rosemary hedge and memorial gates are dedicated to those who died during World War Two. A memorial pool is dedicated to the first gardener, Frederick T. Dye, head gardener 1930-1954. The gardens provide the opportunity for research on garden design and introduced botanical species.

History

Prior to European occupation the area was inhabited by the Nganaywanya, or Anaiwan, people. The Nganaywanya developed extensive trading networks with their neighbours, based on rich plant and animal resources. The area also provided a rich source of hard volcanic rock for tool making and ceremonial purposes.

After the arrival of Europeans to the Armidale area the Anaiwan people established a semi-permeant camp on Drummond's Hill. From here they established close ties to the large pastoral runs in the area.

In July 1859 the Armidale gaol was proclaimed, in the following year a tender was called for construction and the facility received its first prisoners in 1863. The gaol served the northern tablelands as the major prison until it was disestablished in 1920. The gaol was allowed to fall into disrepair until the mid-1920s, when the Government examined the possibility of housing sexual offenders in the facilities. This led to panic amongst nearby land holders, many of whom sold their properties. Nothing became of the plan and the gaol was still disused in 1927, when the site for the new Teachers' College was selected. David H. Drummond, Minister for Education, was determined to remove all evidence of the gaol before the Teachers' College was constructed, wanting no association between the two, and on 10 February 1928 it was decided to demolish the building. The gaol was demolished in 1929 and the bricks were used in the foundations of the new College building, thus inadvertently retaining a physical association, despite Drummond's intentions.

The political factors leading to the construction of the college illustrates the complex role of government and administration. The first steps in establishing a Teachers' College in Armidale commenced when David H. Drummond, then the Progressive Party's Member for the Northern Tablelands, arranged for a delegation to meet with the Minister for Public Instruction, to put forward a proposition concerning a University College in Armidale (Belshaw 1979, p.37). The Government was resistant to the decentralisation of services and unwilling to spend money on a new teachers college.

In October 1927, a NSW coalition State Government was formed between the Nationalists and Country Party (formerly the Progressive Party) and David Drummond became Minister for Education on 18 October 1927. This partnership gave the Country Party enough power, for the first time, to spend money on country areas. Official approval for construction of an Armidale Teachers' College was given at a meeting of the NSW State Cabinet on 13 December 1927 and on 30 December the establishment of the College was officially announced.

David Henry Drummond was born in Sydney in 1890 and, after a period of time as a Ward of the State, he became a farm labourer in 1907 and then moved to Inverell as a farm manager. It was in Inverell that he became active in the Farmers and Settler's Association. This Association had pushed for improved country education facilities since 1895.

The membership of the Farmers and Settler's Association, his lack of education and his support for public education, informed Drummond's views. The Queensland Northern Separation Movement, campaigning for improved education in the regional north, was a further influence. Agitation by the New State Movement had led to the formation of the Cohen Commission into New States in 1923/4. Some of the Commission's recommendations included the creation of a country teachers' college, an external teaching university and greater local influence in education. Drummond was particularly influenced by evidence from W.A. Holman, who stated "before you can have decentralisation you must first teach the teachers" (Elphick 1989, p.9). Historian Belshaw believes that it was probably Drummond, drawing inspiration from the Commission, who coined the phrase 'A Country College for Country Kids' and certainly used it effectively. (Newling 1973, p.66 in Belshaw 1983, p.51) It was Drummond who influenced the concept of country teachers' colleges and universities, written into the policy speech and presented at West Wyalong on 13 September 1927 by Country Party Leader, A.E. Buttenshaw. Drummond's appointment as Minister for Education in the first National-Country Party coalition was therefore not surprising. The College's establishment within five months of the election bears testimony to the power of the Northern interest groups and Drummond's ministerial influence. The main interest group influencing the site of the Teachers' College was the New State Movement, of which Drummond was a founding member.

The New State Movement (NSM) was, as Elphick (1989, p.11) explains it, "a political expression of the emotional belief held in the country areas that "N.S.W." stood for "Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong," and that the way to beat the power of the metropolitan areas was to separate from the parent state." The NSM never had enough power on its own to achieve it's political goals, rather it relied on members being elected under the auspices of other political parties, mainly the Country Party, and furthering their goals through that party. Drummond was an executive foundation member of NSM, along with the Federal Member for Cowper, Sir Earle Christmas Grafton Page. Drummond and Page conferred on a number of projects to improve services and infrastructure in the region.

Drummond was keen to get the College operational as quickly as possible and thereby advance his New State agenda. Drummond saw the establishment of a Teachers' College as the first step in the eventual creation of a University, a necessary piece of infrastructure for the New State to have. He was in office only five months before announcing the establishment of the College on 30 December 1927. Sydney Teachers' College was overcrowded and was unable to meet the demand for trained teachers. Drummond used this to his advantage, rushing the decisions through the political process.

Christmas delayed the appointment of the principle, Cecil Bede Newling, after whom the centre is now named, until 13 January 1928. Newling was a well respected principle, students called him 'Pop' and ex-students kept in contact with him, sending the letters telling of their exploits since leaving College. Today these letters are housed in the Heritage Centre, University of New England Archives.

Despite Drummond's haste, he did not want the College to be seen as second rate and wanted to ensure that country students were given the same opportunities and facilities as those in Sydney. He was determined that the Teachers' College should be a first class training institution. In a Parliamentary debate on 5 December 1930 he said: 'my policy in regard to the Armidale Teachers' College was that no student who passed through it should have any fear of reproach on the ground that it was a college less developed than the great Sydney Teachers' College'. Drummond rejected the Government Architects suggestion that the extant gaol be modified for use as a College and refused to stand down until demolition of the building was approved. He did allow some of the bricks to be reused, for a saving of 8000 pounds, so long as they were used out of sight - either in the footings or rendered. To save on time, Drummond instructed the Government Architect to base the plans for the College on the Sydney Teachers College (1925), altering them where necessary to take into account local conditions and experience with the Sydney building.

Construction began in 1928 and Drummond kept a close eye on the progress. He made several changes to the plans during the construction including authorising additional funds to slate the roof, rather than galvanised iron and to decorate the interior. As part of his commitment to provide the best possible facilities, the Gymnasium was designed with special care and professional advice. Colonel Alderson of Victoria Barracks in Melbourne was called in as adviser. The Duntroon Military College Gymnasium, considered the best of its type at the time was the model on which the Armidale unit was based. Among other features, it was fitted with a specially mounted floor on elliptical springs to cushion impacts (Elphick 1989, p.25).

The first intake of students arrived in 1928 and lessons were held in a two-roomed weatherboard cottage known as "Siberia". Half of the College was ready for the class of 1930 and the building was fully completed in 1931. Drummond came under increasing and significant pressure regarding the funds spent on the College, given the economic depression. Even his local constituents, who had been happy to accept the building contacts, grumbled about the waste of money. Possibly as a consequence, there was no opening ceremony for the building, although two had been held during the Centre's construction, one to mark the laying of the foundation stone and the other an Inaugural Ceremony to mark the first intake of student teachers.

The theme of celebration, however, dominates the history of the College. The first Easter Reunion was introduced in 1932, during the Great Depression. Officially and unofficially, it lasted for generations. 'No student was allowed to go home for Easter because the Reunion was regarded as an official function. Students from throughout New South Wales returned usually by train to their alma mater.

The tragic events of World War Two dominated the life of the college. The students enlisted numbered 570, along with five lecturers and two gardeners. Of these, 68 students and two lecturers were killed (Elphick 1989, p.87). Deaths of students and staff members were acknowledged at College formal assemblies, parents of those College servicemen and women were invited to attend the Memorial Services dedicated to remember those who had fallen. For parents who could not attend, the assemblies were sometimes broadcast on 2UD radio. The Friday Assembly became a regular feature of College life during the war and was refined as the casualty lists grew and more students were killed. During the War plans were made for appropriate memorials. It was at the 1946 Easter Reunion that the first volume of the Book of Remembrance was unveiled. The second permanent memorial, gates at the main entrance to the College from Mossman Street, were unveiled by C.B. Newling at the 1949 Easter Celebrations, held on the 15 April. A memorial rosemary hedge is situated at the top of the main driveway leading from the memorial gates. Other memorials include a timber war service Honour Roll, unveiled in 2003.

The College was also used as a repository for the storing of works of art and artefacts during the height of the war. It was only after the war ended that Principal Newling informed the College Deputy Principal, the Armidale and NSW communities that treasures from the Mitchell Library and the National Art Gallery of NSW were stored in the College basement.

The College had an unusual involvement in World War Two. Under the leadership of manual arts lecturer H.W. Oxford, a group of College men won national fame making model aeroplanes for training the armed forces in the recognition of hostile aircraft. As a result of requests from the War Effort Co-ordination Committee, Oxford was released from duty at the College in May 1942 to manufacture a total of 1080 planes for the war effort.

The establishment of the College is also associated with innovations in teaching methods. S.H. Smith, Director of Education and Principal C.B. Newling pioneered a new approach to teacher training - an approach that emphasised the practicalities of teaching rather than emphasising 'academic knowledge as a substitute for teaching skills'. Smith proclaimed this new policy at the Inaugural Ceremony of the College on 9 March 1928 when he stated: 'Principal Newling and his staff will lay special emphasis on' the Primary School Syllabus 'in the scheme and purpose of education'. (Elphick 1983, pp.6-7).

In 1971 the institution changed from a Teachers' College to a College of Advanced Education. Around this time the College began running short courses. From this, the institution moved from solely teacher training to offering wider Adult Education courses, particularly in the areas of Nurse Education, Aboriginal Education and Post Graduate Education. In close association with the University of New England and the development of the Advanced Education movement, courses were offered by distance education.

Between 1982 and 1984 the western quadrangle was built in with the Aboriginal Studies Centre. The Armidale C.A.E. was a pioneer in Aboriginal Education. Ruth Lovelock, a student in the inaugural 1984 intake of the Associate Diploma in Aboriginal Studies writes: 'With an awareness of the issues confronting the Aboriginal students and an appreciation of the vital need to overcome the entrenched stereotype, Armidale CAE has contributed a great deal to improvements in Aboriginal education'. (Elphick 1989, p.271).

By the 1980s, Armidale College of Advanced Education had moved from a college for NSW country students to having a wider student base. Metropolitan Sydney provided over 30% of students in 1986 and interstate students accounted for another 30%. Special programs brought the students and lecturers from Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands to the college (Elphick 1989, p.266).

Despite some opposition from the Colleges of Nursing, the Armidale College of Advanced Education met the challenge to provide external courses for nurses. These courses became some of the most numerically and developmentally important run by the College. The College won the respect of nurses, particularly those who worked in isolated country centres and vindication of College planning was revealed in 1980 enrolments; of the 1094 external students, 412 were nursing students. (E.S. Ephick, The College on the Hill, p.215)

In 1988 the Armidale College of Advanced Education was amalgamated with the Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education and the University of New England. In the following year the College ceased to exist as an autonomous unit. In 1996 the University announced it planned to mothball the building. Community support for the College is demonstrated by the formation of Friends of the Old Teachers' College (F.O.T.C.) upon the decision. Established on 28 April 1997, the F.O.T.C. worked towards a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of New England and the Armidale City Council to save the building and work towards improving its interior. Between 1998 and 2005 F.O.T.C. have received a number of Heritage Office grants to undertake this work. The Centre now houses the New England Heritage Centre, opened in 1976, as well as being available for community events. Annual re-unions still occur in Armidale as students return to visit the College and some still stay in the former student residential college, S.H. Smith House. On a number of occasions, these former students have published their memories in publications and planted trees in memory of former teaching colleagues.

Important Dates
1919 Howard Hinton (1867-1948), future art benefactor of the College, became a Trustee of the National Art Gallery of N.S.W.
1928 January Cecil Bede Newling's appointment as Principal of the College.
1928 January 30 Tenders called for construction of the college building.
1929 April First sod on the site is turned and construction of the college building began.
1929 November 2 Laying of two foundation stones by the Premier of NSW, T.R. Bavin and the Minister for Education, D.H. Drummond.
1929 September Contract for the main College building completed.
1929 November Approval granted to install a metal book stack with glazed floor and heavy fireproof doors.
1929 November 25 Howard Hinton begins donations of works of art to the College. Between 1929 and 1948, he gave over 1,000 works of art to the College.
1930 Fred Dye appointed College gardener (retired 1954).
1933 Rose gardens instigated.
1935 Stained glass window dedicated to 'Wisdom' by Norman Carter presented by Howard Hinton.
1937 Stained glass window dedicated to 'Sport' by Norman Carter presented by Howard Hinton.
1947 Planning commenced for the Memorial Gardens.
1949 April 15 Memorial gates officially opened. The iron gates were made by the Cyclone Company, the ironwork was fashioned by J.S. Naylor of Armidale, and the granite posts by Vic Melvaine of Uralla. An Armidale builder, Frank Nott was in charge of construction. At the same time, the first volume of the Book of Remembrance was unveiled.

1954 Retirement of Frederick T. Dye, Gardener of the College. His achievement is noted in the inscription of the memorial pool set amongst the roses at the front of the College: 'This pool is in memory of Frederick T. Dye, Head Gardener of the College, 1930-1954, who first created the beauty you see around you'.
1955 February Ned McCann became the Head Gardener.
1971 September Armidale Teachers' College became a College of Advanced Education.
1974 December The College was incorporated under the Higher Education Act.
1976 February Opening of the New England Historical Resources Centre by Dr W.J.A. Vaughan, Director of Studies.
1976 October Opening of the New England Educational Diagnostic Centre in the former Principal's Residence.
1977 College Union facilities opened on the ground floor of the west wing.
1978 New stairs to replace the central southern stairs constructed.
1982 Northern part of the Aboriginal Studies Centre constructed in the western quadrangle.
1983 The southern part of the Aboriginal Studies Centre constructed in the southern quadrangle.
1984 March 31 Senator Susan Ryan, Senator for Education and Youth Affairs officially opened the Aboriginal Studies Resource Centre.
1987 Sketch plans prepared for completion of the East Wing.
1988 Amalgamation of the C.A.E. with Northern Rivers C.A.E. and the University of New England.
1989 Armidale C.A.E. ceased to exist as an autonomous entity.
1996 Decision taken by the University of New England to 'mothball' the building.
1997 Launch of Friends of the Old Teachers' College (F.O.T.C.)
1999 November/December Launch of the New England Conservatorium of Music (NECOM).
2000 August 7 College Auditorium licensed for public performance.
2000 November 11 A replica of the College Book of Remembrance is dedicated.
2000 November 20 NECOM moves out of the building with the disbanding of the Board.
2003 March 9 Dedication of World War Two Honour Boards in the top foyer.

Internet links

Webpage	Source
Armidale Heritage Drive
Armidale Heritage Drive	Attraction Homepage

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