History of the Old Courthouse.

Heidelberg Courthouse was officially opened on 2nd April 1900. The first article below was published on the centenary of the of the opening of the courthouse. The next two reports appeared in local newspapers when it was first opened in 1900.

Articles 4 and 5 refer to the first courthouse in Heidelberg. It was first announced in 1853 and ceased to be used in 1899.

Click on the heading to see the full article.

Article 1. Introduction. 'Heidelberg Historian' No 197, April 2000
Article 2. New Courthouse at Heidelberg. Open for Business. 'The News' 6th April 1900
Article 3. The first session at the Courthouse. 'The News' 6th April 1900
Article 4. The Fate of the 1850s Courthouse. 'The News' 21st July 1899
Article 5. Origins of the First Heidelberg Courthouse, 1853-1859

Introduction. Our Court House - Museum : 100 Years Old.
'Heidelberg Historian' No 197, April 2000

On Monday 2 April 1900, an historic event took place in Heidelberg, the opening of the then new Heidelberg Courthouse, before a gathering of councillors and the shire officers, and perhaps some parliamentarians and members of the legal profession. It was a quiet enough occasion for the growing township, but the fine new brick building was an adornment to the place, a far cry from what was there for the magistrates and court officials throughout the previous forty years. The old building had been shifted across the road and now formed part of the Heidelberg Shire Offices. For the past few months, it had housed the new Heidelberg Public Library.

The old courthouse was completely unsuitable, far too small and inadequate for court purposes. A new one was planned in 1896, and following Council requests and deputations and the efforts of the local MP, Mr M.J.S. Gair, the new courthouse was promised in 1898, when the Government was prepared to build a new brick building for a cost of £1700. This was later modified to £1200 by the Premier, Sir George Turner, who was known for his efforts to save costs wherever he could.

In July 1899 the old courthouse was donated to the Shire and moved across the road, again through the efforts of Mr Gair, and attached to the Shire Offices. The business of the court then moved temporarily to the Sir Henry Barkly Hotel while work began on the new building. When the old building was in place, it was arranged that it be used as a public library, as well as for meetings by such groups as the Australian Natives Association.

The foundation stone of the new courthouse was laid on 4 October 1899, and work continued throughout the summer, in time for the opening and first court on 2 April 1900. Accounts of the opening appear in Articles 2 and 3 below.

The courthouse continued in use until 1979 when a new modern courthouse was built in Jika Street nearby. With the help of our local member, Bruce Skeggs, and the Minister for Public Works, the Hon. Roberts Dunstan, the Heidelberg Historical Society was able to acquire the old building for our Museum.

The large elongated octagonal court room with its magistrate's desk, witness stand and prisoner's dock retained, became the Museum's main display room. Larger items are displayed in the former vestibules on either side of the main entrance porch. The library occupies what was the clerk of court's office, which also has a bench where people would pay their fines or conduct their legal business. The committee room and kitchen was formerly the magistrate's retiring room. The prisoner's room behind the prisoner's dock is used for storage of artifacts, and another room behind this, also used for storage, was the barrister's room. The room which became our Civic display, with the mayoral robes and other artifacts relating to the history of the City of Heidelberg, was provided for female witnesses, and was also used as a second court room.
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Article 2. New Courthouse at Heidelberg. Open for Business.
'The News', 6th April 1900.

The new courthouse erected at Heidelberg by the Public Works Department for the Crown Law Department has been completed. It cost £1800, and occupied a triangular site adjoining the police station. It is constructed of brick with cement dressing, and is roofed with slates. The external architecture is of the simplest character, but the main lines of the building produce a very pleasing effect. The shape of the court-room itself is an elongated octagon; it is lighted from a range of clearstory windows all round, and the ceiling is of wood. The building is approached from a porch leading to a vestibule on either hand. and on a level with the court provision is made for female witnesses, barristers, and prisoners. On a level with the raised bench are the clerk of courts' office and the magistrates' retiring room. The whole is very conveniently arranged and the acoustic properties of the court itself have proved to be exceptionally good. Though the building itself has been completed, some work is still required to the approaches, fencing and footpaths; these it is proposed to modify in such a manner as to provide a suitable access to the building and at the same time improve its appearance. The architect was Mr J. B. Cohen, and the contractors were Swanson Bros., whilst Mr Edwin Hooks acted as inspector of works.
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Article 3. 'The News', 6th April 1900
Immediately following the article above was this account of the first court session in the new building.

The first court was held in the new building on Monday last, the presiding magistrates being Mr. Keogh, P.M., and Messrs. Holland, Davey, Selby, Draper, Adams and Finney, J's.P.
Cr Holland (president of the shire) and Mr Keogh, P.M., congratulated the people of Heidelberg on having secured such an admirable building.
Mr Day, on behalf of the bar, also made some remarks appropriate to the occasion.
Mr Percy Ridgeway was the first legal practitioner to appear professionally before their worships in the new building.
On the business of the court being concluded, a number of gentlemen assembled, by invitation. in the magistrates' room.
Cr. Davey, as the senior magistrate, expressed pleasure at being in the new building, which was second to none in the colony.
Cr. Holland proposed a toast of the architects, and Mr Cohen (of the Public Works Department) in responding said when the outside work, asphalting, etc., was done the building would be one to be proud of.
Cr. Holland proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Gair, M.L.A., who was unavoidably absent, for his successful efforts in getting the Government to put up the buildings.
This was seconded by Cr. Lugton, and supported by Cr. Ryan, who said 10 feet of asphalting should be constructed all round the building, and good stabling for magistrates' horses should be provided.
The vote was carried with musical honors.
Mr D. E. Brayshay proposed"The Magistrates," and Messrs Keogh, Holland, Davey, Adams, and Finney replied.
Mr Keogh, P.M., proposed "The Legal Profession," and responses were made by Messrs Brayshay, Day, and Ridgeway.
The toasts of "The Clerk of the Court." and "The Police" were also honored, and the gathering dispersed.
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Article 4. The fate of the 1850s courthouse.
Proposed Library and Reading Room. The Question of Control
'The News' 21 July 1899

The old courthouse, Heidelberg, which was recently made a present to the local council by the Law Dept was on Tuesday (18 July 1899) removed by the contractors (Messrs McLellan Bros.) to the new site on the park land about 30 feet from the Shire Hall. The contractors have to refix it in its new position and rebuild the chimney. The work of repainting and general renovation will have to be undertaken by the Council subsequently. There is considerable discussion among the ratepayers as to the uses which the building is to be put, and, further, as to who is to manage and control it. A proposal has been made by one prominent gentleman that the ratepayers should form a committee of management and that trustees should be appointed with a view of converting it into a local library institute maintained by public subscription. On the other hand there are many who believe it would be better for the Council to retain possession and form a library, reading room and literary institute under municipal jurisdiction. A library committee would be appointed representative of Heidelberg and Ivanhoe ridings, and some resident (lady or gentleman) could be obtained to attend in the evenings for a couple of hours in the capacity of caretaker for a small remuneration. The hall should also be available for meetings, etc. In our opinion, if a library and reading room is to be established under municipal control, it will be a success. Under a committee of ratepayers, it may be a success - or it may follow the course of many other such ventures and fizzle out a failure.
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Origins of the First Heidelberg Courthouse

In the Victorian Government Gazette, March 9th, 1853, No. 13, (page 368), a letter was published dated 7th March - "His Excellency the Lieut-Governor in pursuance of the power vested in him by the Act of the Governor and Legislative Council of N.S.W., William IV, No. 3, has been pleased to appoint Heidelberg (Township of Warringal) in the Parish Keelbundoora, County of Bourke, and Colony of Victoria, to be a place for holding Courts of Petty Sessions under the provisions of the aforesaid Act by His Excellency's Command. W. Lonsdale."

A notice appeared in the 'Argus' dated 13 March, 1853, stating that Heidelberg was appointed as a place for the holding of a Court of Petty Sessions.

1st Clerk of Court - Wm. Abbott - 1853
2nd Clerk of Court - E. Bathurst - 1854
3rd Clerk of Court - E.A. Bartrop - 1855

Tenders were called in May 1859 for the building of a Court of Petty Sessions and the contract went to Hugh Cormack for a price of £449. The contract was gazetted on 17 June 1859.
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