GSA Guide - Old Government Printery Building Claimed

Old Government Printery Building (1910-1912)

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A printing office was initially established in Queensland in 1862 to print the official record of the proceedings of the House of Parliament.

Over the intervening years there was much expansion, culminating in 1910 with a new addition fronting George Street.

History

This building was built as a quick extension for the existing William Street Printing Office, which was unable to cope with the work demand for an ever-increasing population in Queensland. After delays in the start of construction in 1910 the new building was completed in 1912.

The architecture is typical Victorian. The center pediment of the George Street facade is impressive. The entry extends up to a pediment and two figured sculptures and a central stone railing above the parapet. The carvings were designed by sculptor William P. MacIntosh.

In the pediment is a Queensland Coat of Arms carved in Helidon Sandstone by William P. MacIntosh. It shows the Queensland shield, topped with a crown and surrounded by pineapples. The latin scroll 'Audax at Fidelis' translates to 'Bold but Faithful'. The sandstone sculptured statues on the parapet are two devils holding shields with the letters GP marked, symbolising 'Government Printery'. These devils are said to be sculptured by Lewis Jarvis Harvey.

The keystone above the entry arch is a sandstone carved devil head carved in relief by sculptor W. Leslie Bowles. There are various interpretations to the expression 'printer's devil'. Fact is that 'Printer's Devils' have long been symbols of the printing trade. Apprentices, who did all the messy, unpleasant jobs were traditionally nick-named 'Printer's Devils'.

An interesting historical event occurred at this building. On the 26th of November 1917 a raid on the Government Printer was executed. A plague with a description of the events is placed on the right pillar of the main George Street entrance.

A major renovation was undertaken in 1987 where the outside facade and its sculptures were cleaned and repaired. Also the magnificent coloured glass windows appear rejuvenated. These glass murals display a printing office and its workers. The head window displays a repeat of the Queensland Coat of Arms as shown in the pediment.

In later years the building was still used for Government printing and was used by the Government Printing Office (GOPRINT) until they moved out to Woolloongabba in the early 1990s.

For a time in the 1990s it was home to the Brisbane Science center until Queensland Museum at South Bank expanded and relocated the Sciencentre there. The building went on to occupy part of the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, before this department moved and the building became a heritage element of the Queens Wharf development.

Building stones:

The Government Printer building is cladded in brown freestone comprising Helidon Sandstone from Wrights quarry. The sandstone was laid on a base of Brisbane Tuff (porphyry) from O’Connelltown quarry in Fortitude Valley.

At the main entrance of the George Street façade, the sandstone arch, rests on a plinth base of light grey Enoggera Granite.

Architects - Thomas Pye

Builder - Department of Public Works; Sculptors: William P. MacIntosh, Lewis Jarvis Harvey, W. Leslie Bowles.

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