One of the first buildings John Augustus Kenny Clarke built was the the Shepparton News building in 1893 after the paper’s previous High St building burned down. It was later badly damaged by fire in 1951.
Architect John Augustus Kenny Clarke’s contribution to the region will be the topic of Greater Shepparton City Council’s Biennial Bruce Wilson Memorial Heritage Lecture on August 10.
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The talk will delivered by farmer and heritage enthusiast Evan Lloyd, whose interest in the architect stems from growing up in a Clarke-designed home.
Mr Clarke, often referred to as Shepparton’s own architect, designed many of the city’s prominent buildings, including Shepparton High School and the grandstand at the Shepparton Showgrounds.
Other regional buildings he designed include the Cobram Creamery (1895) and cellars at Dookie Agriculture College (1896).
Aside from his architectural practice, Mr Clarke was also a leading orchardist and vine-grower. He was a leader in the early years of the Shepparton Agricultural Society and was a cycling enthusiast.
Mr Lloyd was 11 when his family moved to Fairley Downs, north of Shepparton at the site of the home station of the Tallygaroopna squatting run.
The large Clarke-designed homestead was constructed in 1906 for successful selector Hamilton Coldwell, with some alterations carried out by the Fairley family in the 1920s.
Mr Lloyd described the property as a wonderful place to grow up, with its own small cemetery, the Goulburn River, the 1840s slab hut connected with Sherbourne Sheppard (who Shepparton is named after) and an old Model T Ford rusting away in a billabong.
At university, Mr Lloyd studied architecture and then cultural heritage management. During his studies, he researched topics such as the now demolished Old Shire Hall in Nixon St, Shepparton and the architect Mr Clarke.
Mr Lloyd returned to the property 24 years ago to manage the farm and sees one of his roles as protecting its history for the future.
He was an inaugural community representative on council's Heritage Advisory Committee and often hosts groups visiting the property.
Shepparton Agricultural High School was also designed by John Augustus Kenny Clarke. GOTAFE’s Fryers St campus is now on the site.
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“I am proud to have been asked to present the Bruce Wilson Memorial Lecture this year, to discuss the career of an architect whose buildings remain a major aspect of Greater Shepparton,” Mr Lloyd said.
“Growing up in a Clarke house has given me a passion for his work and his wider contribution to our district, and I hope to share this knowledge with the community during the lecture.”
The free lecture will be on Wednesday, August 10 at the Senior Citizens’ Centre at 132 Welsford St, Shepparton.
There will be two sessions, one at 1pm and the second at 6pm. The 6pm session will also be live-streamed on council’s website and YouTube for people to watch at home.
To RSVP to attend either lecture in person, contact council via email at council@shepparton.vic.gov.au (attention: Planning and Building Support) or phone 5832 9700.
Evan Lloyd will present this year’s Bruce Wilson Memorial Heritage Lecture.
