Courthouse - Mansfield, Vic, Australia - Courthouses on Waymarking.com

The Labor Government has pledged $250,000 to upgrade the Mansfield Courthouse, to have easier access for the disabled. There will also be some heritage restoration, garden and fencing improvements. [I didn't see much of the proposed works when I was there in January 2019.] This is not the first Courthouse for Mansfield. As a Historical Marker sign to the east of the Courthouse, under the shade of a mature tree states there was another on this site from 1869. It is a printed metal sign, on an angle, on a metal post. It also has a historic photo of the Courthouse, with the Police Memorial (Ned Kelly shootout Police victims) in the centre of the roundabout of High and Highett Streets. The text of the sign reads:

"Mansfield Courthouse was built in 1876 on the site of the earlier building constructed in 1860 and enlarged in 1870.

"Following the killing of the three policemen at Stringybark Creek by the Kelly Gang a proclamation was made under the Felons Apprehensions Act.

"It ordered Ned Kelly and Dan Kelly and their two as yet unidentified accomplices (Joe Byrne and Steve Hart) to surrender to the Mansfield Court House by 12 November 1878.

"If they did not do so they would become outlaws. The Courthouse remained open all day on the 12th but the two Kelly brothers and their accomplices did not surrender. Three days later the four were declared outlaws and could be killed without challenge. Further, any person harbouring, concealing or assisting the Gang, giving them information or withholding information from the police, could receive up to 15 years imprisonment with or without hard labour."

From the Victorian Heritage Council website:

"Mansfield Court House, a simple, symmetrical building with a dominant double-height courtroom flanked by single storey administrative wings, features a wooden verandah and gable roof of slate. It is made of tuck-pointed solid brick on a rock-faced sandstone and rendered brick base, with rendered sills, string courses, and window and fascia detailing. The building was designed by George W. Watson of the Public Works Department and was constructed in 1879-80 by D Carison of Alexandra. Built as a circuit court, Mansfield is one of the larger court houses designed in the Victorian Free Classical style and includes offices, public areas and prisoner holding rooms that were not regularly provided in earlier or smaller country court houses. Original timber furniture, including the Magistrate's Bench, the Clerk's table, jury box, witness stand, defendants' dock and seating are intact within the courtroom, which has exposed timber trusses and a timber lined ceiling. The timber verandah posts with knee brackets and simple timber frieze above are original features, but its concrete base is a twentieth century modification. An entrance vestibule off the verandah is an unusual feature for courthouses of this type. The vestibule is separated from the courtroom by a single-height panelled timber screen with matching timber-panelled ceiling." (visit link)

Benalla Magistrates Court: (03) 5761 1400

Visited: 1157-9, Sunday, 6 January, 2019

Year Built: 1876 Current Use of Building: Courthouse Level of Courts: County Architect: George W. Watson Dates this building was used to house judicial proceedings: 1876 - present Physical Address: 88 High Street, Mansfield, Victoria, 3722, Australia Hours: Wednesday: 9am - 12pm Otherwise, as required. Contact Benalla Magistrates Court, (03) 5761 1400 Related Website: [Web Link]

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