SIR ARTHUR COLES SCIENCE BUILDING 
The Prime Minister R G Menzies Opening the Sir Arthur Coles Science Building, 1964.
Sir Robert Menzies and students
at the Coles Science Block opening, 1964.
Opened by the then Prime Minister, Sir Robert Gordon Menzies on 12 February 1964 this science wing was funded by a grant from The Industrial Fund for the Advancement of Scientific Education in Schools and benefactions from Mrs Roper and
Sir Arthur Coles. The Building was named after former School Council Chairman,
Sir Arthur Coles (1892-1982)The original building comprised two Chemistry laboratories, a chemistry storeroom on the ground floor and two Physics Laboratories with storeroom on the first floor. The Chemistry Laboratories were named in honour of C R Roper, chemistry teacher following a gift of Mrs C Roper in memory of her husband. The Physics laboratories were named after
'Tam' Henderson, physics teacher and staff member from 1929 to 1964. The building, furnishings and equipment cost an estimated £23,500 with £15,000 provided by the Industrial Fund, £15,000 matched by Sir Arthur Coles and a further £8,500 provided by Mrs Roper. The building was designed by architects, McGlashan Everist.
The Sir Arthur Coles Building together with
Davey House and the
George Morrison Memorial Library were designed with simple, unadorned lines, flat roofs and walls featuring tall windows. Their interiors demonstrate 1960s Brutalist style where structural elements were left exposed. The Library and the Science Wing are built in the same style and present a harmonious visual continuum. Tall, repeated brick pillars connect both levels creating a walkway that echoes the Cloister.
In 1971, a westwards extension of this building designed by McGlashan Everist, was constructed to provide a biology classroom on the ground floor and a biology laboratory above it. The Biology Laboratory was named in honour of former Collegian,
Sir Frank MacFarlane Burnet. These additions were opened on 2 February 1972 by former Collegian,
Alfred Butcher, Director of the then Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Sources: Ad Astra September 1971; Ad Astra March 1972.
Guests at the opening of the Coles Science Block in 1964.