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THE SWINBURNE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

STAFF NEWS LETTER

9th December, l 9 59

CONCERNING OUR COLLEGE: Mr. Jordan, who ie Head of our Art School, and has been associated with it since 1915, has contributed the following account of its development:-

From its inception in 1909 the progress and development of the Art School may be divided into three periods -

The first classes, of some 30 students, were devoted to modelling, free drawing and applied design • These were.conducted by the then Director-Mr. J .R. Tranthim-Fryer, and were held in rooms G7-9-10, then known as the Art Studios.. Mr. Fryer, who worked and studied under a famous English sculptor - Onslow Ford - came to us with a fine reputation of sculptor and modeller, and it. followed that this side of the work was predominant j,p the Art syllabus. Those who were privileged to know and work with Tranthim-Fryer will remember him as with..a keen sense of humour and a lovable man, of simple tastes and habits, Usually to be found in his studio "puddling" with clay and plaster or carrying out experimental work with gfazes, enamels or metals; wearing a disreputable working coat it was not uncommon for same visitor to the College, after eventually running h,im to earth, to show some impatience at finding the Director in such garb,,. A few words only were necessary to put such a person at complete ease. It is on record that a caller refused to believe that Tranthim-Fryer was the man he was seeking and demanded that he be immediately escorted to the Director!

leaning alongside the stairway in the main entrance was to be seen a bicycle; this was the Director's and formed his daily means of transport to the College.

2) Expansion of the College must have been steady for in 1911 Mr. Stanley Tompkins was appointed Art assistant, and in 1913, when the Boys' Junior School was established, a large studio was added (now the dining room), between the Domestic Economy building and the existing main block; some years later aPottery Kiln was installed in the small room now used as a Junior School staff roam. Pottery classes were under the supervision of MissPoole, recently arrived from England, and who.waa later to instruct Mrs. Winter in the mysteries of firing and glazing. Tompkins was a contemporary of Harold Herbert and both graduated with distinction from the Ballarat School of Mines, then a quite famous training school for teachers of Art.

Extra classes were formed in addition to the teaching of Junior School Art subjects. It was not long before further College expansion was envisaged when the Director proposed extensions of the Art course. Council approved and it was arranged that the Director discuss his proposals with the Education Department Inspector of Art - Mr. Carew-Smyth. It was also agreed that these new classes would be under the direct control of the Director and that this should in no way interfere with his general super-vision of the whole College. Council discussed with their architect -Mr. Robert Haddon, building extensions and in particular the proposed new Art School.

The Foundation stone was laid in 1917 for a building to include an open gymnasium, looker and luncheon room, sheet metal andwoodwork workshop for the rapidly expanding Boys' junior school, the first and seaond floors to be devoted to Art. Mr. Haddon considered that by having practicallyblank wall on the north side and no corridors in the east.or west ends the effect of noise of trains should· be reduced to a minimum.

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Half scale modelled panels, eventually to be cast in bronze, were prepared by Mr. Fryer to form decorative features on the facades of the east and west towers. This was never carried out, as will be seen by the still blank panels patientlyawaiting adornment.

3) Bythe year 1918, the new Art building was ready for occupation; with additional staff consisting of David Gray, George Rofe, Allan Jordan, Margery Withers the syllabus was expanded to cover commercial art, life and costumedrawing, painting, advanced design, architects 1 drawing and modelling, juniorand senior public drawing, and the training of a small number of teachersA Pottery studio was set up on the first floor and soon became an importantpartof the Art School An Art metal work class occupied the vacated pottery studio, and flourished Under the expert instruction ofAlbert Woffinden, a skilledsilversmith fresh from the Guilds of England.

In its new and attractive quarters, under the leadership of Mr. Tompkins, whowas appointed Head of the Art School following the retirement of Mr. Fryer . in 1928 through illhealth, the Art School .developed rapidly and soon becamean important centre of College activities. End of term dances held in the large studio.were exciting events with their original and striking decorations, and·costumes These were usually held on a Friday evening when some studentsreturned on Saturday morning to put the house in order but, being human and art students in particular, there was always a surplus of equipment which usuallytook till next term to find its rightful place.

Competitive designs arranged by various firms and organizations became an integral part of the Art School. Referring to the 1937 copy of the Open Door, in seventyseven special technical schools and public art competitions.from 1931 .. 37 the total awards to Swinburne were one hundred and thirtynine. While these mayhave been a doubtfuladjunct to an Art training, they did much to put the Art School on the map.

Following World War I, the Art School, under Rehabilitation, conducted classes in Ticket Writing under Wallace Cooke, himself a limbless soldier. He will be remembered for his untiring efforts to train about 30 men, many of little talent but determined to find a new vocation.

Staff changes and additions over the years were few except in the Painting classes. Members who gave fine service and contributed much to the earl advancement of the Art School include Margery Withers, Peter Newbury, Brian Calcutt,Katherine Hardess, William Dargie, Louis McCubbin, Nancy Moffatt, Nornie Gude, Frances Wade.

During 1937, .Architecture classes wereestablished under the direction of Eric Hughes, assisted by Cliff Orme. 11 Perhaps not a little of our satisfaction is due to the fact that we are now in possession of our own new quarters, which have been splendidly equipped in regard to fittings and lighting, '· leaving little to be desired in this direction"• (Open Door p. 21, 1937).

Owing to the generosity of Mrs. Swinburne, and with additional assistance of the Carnegie Corporation of u.s., Mr. Tompkins left in June 1936 for a 9 month tour overseas to study art trends and school development, leavebeing granted by the College Council. (This was prior to long service leave as now in operation). During this period, Allan Jordan, then Senior Instructor, acted Head of Departmenta Many valuable books forming the nucleus of our Art referencelibrary, were housed in a large book-case on the top floor landing Many discussions had pr.eviously taken place with S.W.T. as to better housing but no finality reached. What a golden opportunity with the boss away for nine whole months! Quick action was necessary to convert a staff , .. room and raise the .. necessary funds. Plans were drawn and quotations followed. Shelving; desk etc., would amount to £50, a fair sum in those days Dances', picture shows, competitions followed in rapid succession while workwas in progress. Mrs. Swinburne was invited to the opening with afternoon tea . provided by the girls. She was quick to notice the bareness of the floorl

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Result - Swinburne generosity to the rescuewitha wall-to-wall carpet, Thiswas one of many generous donations to the Art School over the years, Things returned to normal on S.W.T's return. Then followed .a period of re-adjustment when later, changes were made in the syllabus.

Following World War II Rehabilitation classes.were again established; this time on a wider and more practical basis. Those trained in the Art School proved some of the keenest and most satisfactory students and as far as records areavailable, all made full use of the course to his tult:i.mate advantage. Names that come readily to mind are Ray CrookeBobSperring, John Collins, John Hearnan, Ken Hutchinson, Gepff Henshaw, Ray returned to the islands and later filled positions in our Junior andSenior Art Schools ; the others now hold :important posts in varying fieldsof Art.

Perhaps in reviewingthe last few years, the most significant.development is the acquisition of the remainder of the complete building. Full honours to our Director - Mr. Tylee - for his relentless pressing for better accommodation and expansion to meet the growing needs of such a College asSwinburne.

Due to her enthusiasm and untiring work, which has never waned over the years the Pottery department under Mrs. Winter's supervision has flourished and been enlarged threefold and still unable to meet the steady demand of students seeking admission.

The establishment in 1951 of Art Diploma Courses of four years is the firstand the most practical attempt to stabilise and place Art training ona sound and practical basis - the first time an Art qualification hascarriedweight andbecome recognised by Industry. The demand for artists inIndustry at present is unprecedented - the various avenues never wider. Thiscoupled with the great shortage of Art teacher leaves the student with an almost unlimited choice of employment.

In a brief survey such as this, there will be members of both staff and students who have made valuable contributions to the College and to Industry who should be recorded or deserve more than a mere mention but I could go on indefinitely .. It would be remiss of me should I not pay tribute to Laurie Pendlebury, Senior Instructor, and present members of the staff who contribute so much to the efficiency and excellent harmony in the Art School. Any Head of Department should be justly proud of such a teom.

Art School Growth -

Art Staff 1911 • 2 • Thirty students approx •

Art Staff 1959 • 6 Full-time, 17 Part-time

Last and by no means least two "behind the scenes" - Vice-Principal, Mr. Hames and Secretary, Mr. Robertson, whose adndJ).istration, friendly advice and help do much to keep us on an even keel.