A well-known heritage-listed building at Heathdale Christian College’s Melton campus is one of those given new life, now restored for use as a science facility.
The building – referred to as the ‘stealth bomber’ building – was designed by Melbourne architect Norman Day and is included in the campus’ heritage overlay that was introduced after the former Mowbray College closed its doors in 2012.
The refurbished facility was officially dedicated on Friday, September 12
A Victorian Heritage Database Report summarises the significance of the former Mowbray College Patterson Campus as a “cohesive complex of low-cost Post-modern style school buildings”.
Heathdale Christian College executive principal Ross Grace said that one of the former students who was instrumental in advocating for the heritage overlay was Guy Murphy, who has been the school’s heritage architect consultant during the school’s building refurbishing efforts.
Mr Grace said that some of the existing buildings from the former Mowbray College site had fallen into disrepair, with Heathdale working to refurbish them over the past nine years.
He said that Heritage Victoria allowed the school to perform works on the interior of the building, recognising the need to serve contemporary communities while preserving its exterior.
Heathdale Melton campus principal Iain Belot said seeing the building come back to life was something of a privilege.
“There’s a sense of hope and reconnection,” Mr Belot said.
“It’s actually, for me, the most evocative building on campus, because it is the most Mowbray building and it is now almost the most Heathdale building,” he said.
College captain Juan said it was great to see the newly refurbished VCE centre at the campus be adapted to students’ needs.
College captain Natasha said she used to see the refurbished science building as “just a weird shaped building,” but now, being able to take classes inside it, said it has been a new experience.
“It’s a really good space,” Natasha said.
