Recommendation of the Executive Director and assessment of cultural heritage significance under Part 3, Division 3 of the Heritage Act 2017

Name Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Location 32‐34 Wellington Street, Collingwood, Yarra City Hermes Number 201721 Heritage Overlay Number NA

Former Factory Office and Residence of TW Sherrin, 32‐34 Wellington Street, Collingwood (November 2018)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE HERITAGE COUNCIL:  That the place NOT be included in the Victorian Heritage Register under Section 37(1)(b) of the Heritage Act 2017.  The Heritage Council may wish to consider exercising its powers under s.49(1)(c) of the Heritage Act 2017 to refer the recommendation to the relevant planning authority for inclusion of the site in the Heritage Overlay.

ERIN WILLIAMS Acting Executive Director Recommendation Date: 10 January 2019 Advertising Period: 18 January 2019 – 18 March 2019

This recommendation report has been issued by the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria under s.37 of the Heritage Act 2017. It has not been considered or endorsed by the Heritage Council of Victoria.

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 1 EXTENT OF NOMINATION

Date that the nomination was accepted by the Executive Director 1 June 2018.

Written extent of nomination The entire property at 32‐34 Wellington Street, Collingwood.

Nomination extent diagram Area outlined in red.

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 2 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RESPONSE SUMMARY It is the view of the Executive Director that this place should not be included in the Victorian Heritage Register for the reasons outlined in this report. The Heritage Council may wish to refer the recommendation and submissions to the relevant planning authority for consideration for an amendment to the planning scheme to include the place in the Heritage Overlay.

ACCESS TO THE PLACE It is noted that internal access to the property was not permitted by the owner. Discussion of the interiors in this report has been informed by 2017 images available via www.realcommercial.com.au. See final pages of this report.

BACKGROUND WHAT IS AT THE PLACE? The Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin, 32‐34 Wellington Street, Collingwood is a small single‐storey brick industrial building of simple gabled‐roof form. The asymmetrical front façade of the building is in an unadorned Edwardian style with rendered curved parapet, contrasting vertical brick strips (overpainted), frameless openings, banks of windows and recessed horizontal brick panels. The simple interior of the building has exposed timber trusses and later partitioning and skylights.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE PLACE? The Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin, 32‐34 Wellington Street, Collingwood was used by TW Sherrin to produce leather sporting goods from 1894 until his death in 1912. Sherrin lived at the premises during this period. The business was continued by generations of the Sherrin family until closure of the factory in 1982. Sherrin first occupied an existing timber shop on the site, however this was rebuilt after fire destroyed the building in 1915. A second fire caused damage to the rebuilt factory building in 1928.

The Sherrin brand became well‐known due to its association with Australian Rules Football from the late nineteenth century to the present day and large numbers of footballs were produced at the factory in Collingwood over a period of eighty years. The Sherrin football became the official ball of the Victorian Football League when it was formed in 1897 and the Australian Football League when it was formed in 1990. Despite the sale of the business to American‐owned company Spalding in 1969, Sherrin‐branded footballs were produced at the Collingwood factory until closure in 1982. After closure, the Collingwood property was sold by the Sherrin family and the building has since been used for a number of purposes, including as manufacturing premises and an art gallery.

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 3 RECOMMENDATION REASONS

REASONS FOR NOT RECOMMENDING INCLUSION IN THE VICTORIAN HERITAGE REGISTER [s.37 (1)(b)] Following is the Executive Director's assessment of the place against the tests set out in The Victorian Heritage Register Criteria and Thresholds Guidelines (2014).

CRITERION A Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION A The place/object has a CLEAR ASSOCIATION with an event, phase, period, process, function, movement, custom or way of life in Victoria’s cultural history. Plus The association of the place/object to the event, phase, etc IS EVIDENT in the physical fabric of the place/object and/or in documentary resources or oral history. Plus The EVENT, PHASE, etc is of HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE, having made a strong or influential contribution to Victoria.

Executive Director’s Response The Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin was built to manufacture a range of sporting equipment, including footballs for Australian Rules Football. The place has a clear and long‐term association with the sporting industry in Victoria. Sherrin‐branded footballs were manufactured on the site for more than 80 years from 1894 to 1982 and were the official ball of the Victorian Football League from 1897 to 1989 and the Australian Football League from 1990 to the present.

The association of the Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin with the sporting industry in Victoria is no longer evident in the fabric of the place but is well documented. The sporting industry has made a strong historical, social and economic contribution to the State. The Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin assists in illustrating the popularity of sport, in particular Australian Rules Football, from the late nineteenth century to the late twentieth century.

Criterion A is likely to be satisfied.

STEP 2: A BASIC TEST FOR DETERMINING STATE LEVEL SIGNIFICANCE FOR CRITERION A The place/object allows the clear association with the event, phase etc. of historical importance to be UNDERSTOOD BETTER THAN MOST OTHER PLACES OR OBJECTS IN VICTORIA WITH SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME ASSOCIATION.

Executive Director’s Response A number of places with clear and long‐term associations with the sporting industry, and specifically Australian Rules Football, remain in Victoria and their history and function are clearly demonstrated in the fabric of each place as well as in documentary resources. These include:  Melbourne Cricket Ground, East Melbourne (VHR H1928)  Waverley Park, Mulgrave (VHR H1883)  Victoria Park, Abbotsford (VHR H0075)  Glenferrie Oval Grandstand, Hawthorn (VHR H0890)  St Kilda Cricket Ground (VHR H2234)  Fitzroy Cricket Club Grandstand (VHR H0751).

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 4 The form and fabric of the Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin does not clearly demonstrate the historical use of the place or its association with Australian Rules Football. It is acknowledged that the product manufactured here – the Sherrin football – has historic value; however, neither the manufacturing process nor the product can be read in the existing fabric of the place.

The significance of the Sherrin football can be better understood through the collection of sporting memorabilia located at the National Sports Museum at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. On display are a large collection of Sherrin‐branded footballs dating from the early twentieth century to the twenty‐first century. Together these footballs provide a clear illustration of the association of TW Sherrin with Australian Rules Football and the sporting industry in Victoria.

Criterion A is not likely to be satisfied at the State level.

CRITERION B Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION B The place/object has a clear ASSOCIATION with an event, phase, period, process, function, movement, custom or way of life of importance in Victoria’s cultural history. Plus The association of the place/object to the event, phase, etc IS EVIDENT in the physical fabric of the place/object and/or in resources or oral history. Plus The place/object is RARE OR UNCOMMON, being one of a small number of places/objects remaining that demonstrates the important event, phase etc. OR The place/object is RARE OR UNCOMMON, containing unusual features of note that were not widely replicated OR The existence of the class of place/object that demonstrates the important event, phase etc is ENDANGERED to the point of rarity due to threats and pressures on such places/objects.

Executive Director’s Response Large numbers of places remain in Victoria to demonstrate the importance of the sporting industry in Victoria. These types of places include ovals, grandstands, tennis clubs, rowing facilities, bowling greens, racetracks and so on. These places are well represented in the Victorian Heritage Register and are not rare or uncommon. A number of these places have associations with Australian Rules Football.

Criterion B is not likely to be satisfied.

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 5 CRITERION C Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION C The:  visible physical fabric; &/or  documentary evidence; &/or  oral history, relating to the place/object indicates a likelihood that the place/object contains PHYSICAL EVIDENCE of historical interest that is NOT CURRENTLY VISIBLE OR UNDERSTOOD. Plus From what we know of the place/object, the physical evidence is likely to be of an INTEGRITY and/or CONDITION that it COULD YIELD INFORMATION through detailed investigation.

Executive Director’s Response The Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin is not likely to contain physical evidence of historical interest that is not currently visible or understood.

Criterion C is not likely to be satisfied.

CRITERION D Importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural places and objects.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION D The place/object is one of a CLASS of places/objects that has a clear ASSOCIATION with an event, phase, period, process, function, movement, important person(s), custom or way of life in Victoria’s history. Plus The EVENT, PHASE, etc is of HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE, having made a strong or influential contribution to Victoria. Plus The principal characteristics of the class are EVIDENT in the physical fabric of the place/object.

Executive Director’s Response The Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin has associations with the sporting industry in Victoria – and Australian Rules Football in particular – from the late nineteenth century to the late twentieth century. This class of place has played an important role in the development of Victoria and has made historical, social and economic contributions to the State.

The association of the place with the sporting industry in Victoria – and Australian Rules Football in particular – is no longer evident in the fabric of the place. No fabric from the early phase of football production (pre‐ 1915) and occupation by TW Sherrin remains due to a fire having destroyed the early building. While Sherrin branded footballs continued to be made at the place, the existing building appears to no longer contain any evidence of the football manufacturing process and does not illustrate the long‐term association of the place with the sporting industry in Victoria.

Criterion D is not likely to be satisfied.

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 6 CRITERION E Importance in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION E The PHYSICAL FABRIC of the place/object clearly exhibits particular aesthetic characteristics.

Executive Director’s Response The Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin is a utilitarian structure displays particular aesthetic characteristics related to its design as a simple early twentieth‐century industrial brick building with an Edwardian‐style façade

Criterion E is likely to be satisfied.

STEP 2: A BASIC TEST FOR DETERMINING STATE LEVEL SIGNIFICANCE FOR CRITERION E The aesthetic characteristics are APPRECIATED OR VALUED by the wider community or an appropriately‐ related discipline as evidenced, for example, by:  critical recognition of the aesthetic characteristics of the place/object within a relevant art, design, architectural or related discipline as an outstanding example within Victoria; or  wide public acknowledgement of exceptional merit in Victoria in medium such as songs, poetry, literature, painting, sculpture, publications, print media etc.

Executive Director’s Response The aesthetic characteristics of the Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin has not received critical recognition of the place within a relevant art, design, architectural or related discipline as an outstanding example within Victoria. Its aesthetic characteristics have not received wide public acknowledgement of exceptional merit.

Criterion E is not likely to be satisfied at the State level.

CRITERION F Importance in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION F The place/object contains PHYSICAL EVIDENCE that clearly demonstrates creative or technical ACHIEVEMENT for the time in which it was created. Plus The physical evidence demonstrates a HIGH DEGREE OF INTEGRITY.

Executive Director’s Response The Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin is a simple, utilitarian structure and does not contain physical evidence that demonstrates any creative or technical achievement.

Criterion F is not likely to be satisfied.

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 7 CRITERION G Strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. This includes the significance of a place to indigenous people as part of their continuing and developing cultural traditions.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION G Evidence exists of a DIRECT ASSOCIATION between the place/object and a PARTICULAR COMMUNITY OR CULTURAL GROUP. (For the purpose of these guidelines, ‘COMMUNITY or CULTURAL GROUP’ is defined as a sizable group of persons who share a common and long‐standing interest or identity). Plus The ASSOCIATION between the place/object and the community or cultural group is STRONG OR SPECIAL, as evidenced by the regular or long‐term use of/engagement with the place/object or the enduring ceremonial, ritual, commemorative, spiritual or celebratory use of the place/object.

Executive Director’s Response There is no evidence of a direct association between the Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin and a community or cultural group. Despite the Sherrin brand having become synonymous with Australian Rules Football, it is the product (footballs) that illustrates this association, rather than the place.

Criterion G is not likely to be satisfied.

CRITERION H Special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in Victoria’s history.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION H The place/object has a DIRECT ASSOCIATION with a person or group of persons who have made a strong or influential CONTRIBUTION to the course of Victoria’s history. Plus The ASSOCIATION of the place/object to the person(s) IS EVIDENT in the physical fabric of the place/object and/or in documentary resources and/or oral history. Plus The ASSOCIATION:  directly relates to ACHIEVEMENTS of the person(s) at, or relating to, the place/object; or  relates to an enduring and/or close INTERACTION between the person(s) and the place/object.

Executive Director’s Response Thomas William Sherrin (TW Sherrin) manufactured the Sherrin brand of football on the site of the place from 1894 until his death in 1912. The Sherrin family and later the Spalding company continued to manufacture Sherrin brand footballs at the place. Sherrin‐branded footballs were manufactured on the site for more than 80 years from 1894 to 1982 and were the official ball of the Victorian Football League from 1897 to 1989 and the Australian Football League from 1990 to the present

Due to the destruction of the original timber factory by fire in 1915, there is no direct association between TW Sherrin (who died in 1912) and the current building. There is an association between subsequent generations of the Sherrin family, the Sherrin brand and the place. This is difficult to read in the fabric but is evident in documentary resources.

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 8 The Sherrin Factory assists in illustrating the popularity of sport, in particular Australian Rules Football, from the late nineteenth century to the late twentieth century. Australian Rules Football has made a strong and influential contribution to the course of Victoria’s history. TW Sherrin and the Sherrin Company have played a role in this history through the provision of sporting equipment and creation of a popular commercial brand.

Criterion H is not likely to be satisfied.

ASSESSMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S ASSESSMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE [s.40(1)(3)(c)]

The Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin was the location of the manufacture of a range of sporting equipment, notably including footballs for Australian Rules Football, for more than 80 years from 1894 to 1982. Sherrin footballs were the official ball of the Victorian Football League from 1897 to 1989 and the Australian Football League from 1990 to the present.

It is the Executive Director’s assessment that the form and fabric of the Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin at 32‐34 Wellington Street, Collingwood, does not clearly demonstrate the historical use of the place or its association with Australian Rules Football. It is acknowledged that the product manufactured here – the Sherrin football – has historic value; however, neither the manufacturing process or the product are apparent in the existing fabric of the place.

The significance of the Sherrin football is readily apparent in the collection of sporting memorabilia located at the National Sports Museum at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. On display are a large collection of Sherrin‐ branded footballs dating from the early twentieth century to the twenty‐first century. Together these footballs provide a clear illustration of the association of TW Sherrin with Australian Rules Football and the sporting industry in Victoria.

For reasons detailed above, the Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin at 32‐34 Wellington Street, Collingwood, is not considered to warrant inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register as a place of State‐level significance.

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 9 RELEVANT INFORMATION Local Government Authority City of Yarra Heritage Overlay No Other Overlays Design and Development Overlays (DDO2, DDO11) Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register No Other Listings No Other Names N/A

Comments Internal access to the property was not permitted by the owner. Discussion of the interiors in this report has been informed by 2017 images available via www.realcommercial.com.au.

HISTORY Thomas William Sherrin Thomas William Sherrin (1857‐1912) began his working career as a saddler in Wellington Street, Collingwood, making and repairing saddles and other leather equipment, including balls for various sports. It seems that Sherrin learnt his trade from William Prytherch who had a saddlery business in Wellington Street, Collingwood from at least 1864. Prytherch and Sherrin continued to share these premises until 1893.

From the 1880s Sherrin was manufacturing balls and other sporting equipment, using the Sherrin brand. He received prizes for his cricket balls at industrial exhibitions in 1880 and 1881 and exhibited at the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition in 1888 as a ‘cricket ball manufacturer’. His display at this exhibition displayed a range of cricket, Australian Rules, rugby and basket balls, boxing gloves and other equipment. In 1891 TW Sherrin began his own ball making business at premises at 20 Wellington Street and continued working at this location until 1893.

History of Place In 1894 Sherrin relocated his business to an existing timber shop at 32‐34 Wellington Street which, together with adjoining houses at 36 and 38 Wellington Street, was owned by merchant Samuel Flatau. After working from this building for a number of years, Sherrin purchased the property with timber shop and two brick houses, from Flatau in 1901. At the time of purchase, he was recorded as living at the property at 32 Wellington Street, presumably at the rear of the main building.

By 1898 TW Sherrin employed a staff of skilled workmen who made leather sporting goods by hand and a newspaper article recorded that he had daily orders arriving from Australia, America and Europe, particularly for cricket balls (Mercury and Weekly Courier, 7 Oct 1898, p 3). Sherrin died in 1912, at which time he was recognised as one of the largest manufacturers of footballs, cricket balls, boxing gloves and other sporting goods in Australia. His products were noted as being preferred to imported products by many sportsmen.

TW Sherrin’s nephew, John Sydney (Syd) Sherrin (1888‐42), worked for the company from 1903 and acquired the business after his uncle’s death. Syd was a boxer and boxing referee and, like his uncle, was heavily involved in the Collingwood Football Club. At the time of TW Sherrin’s death, his assets were described as:

All that piece of land having a frontage of 66 feet to Wellington Street Collingwood by a depth of 104 feet and being part of Crown Portion 5 Parish of Jika Jika County of Bourke and being the land comprised in Certificate of Title Vol 634 Fol 689. This property is known as 32 and 34 and 36 and 38 Wellington Street Collingwood. Numbers 32 and 34 are weatherboard and were occupied by the deceased as a shop and factory and deceased lodged there in a furnished room. Numbers 36 and 38 are 2 four roomed brick and weatherboard cottages……..This is practically all one building and we value it at £650. (PROV, Probate & Admin Files, VPRS 28/P3, unit 343, item 128/046)

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 10 In 1915, three years after TW Sherrin’s death, fire destroyed the factory and an adjoining cottage, as well as stock, and a collection of sporting memorabilia. At this time the factory was described as a Glove Factory and the owner, Syd Sherrin was described as a ‘boxing glove manufacturer’ (Argus, 9 July 1915, p 4). Temporary premises were established opposite the property in Wellington Street until the factory at 32‐34 Wellington Street was rebuilt (Sporting Judge, 17 July 1915, p 3). The same year, Sherrin sold the adjoining properties at 36 and 38 Wellington Street to Frederick Richard Row. He retained the southern portion of the property, 32‐ 34 Wellington Street, which contained the factory and this remained in the Sherrin family until 1986.

By the mid‐1920s the Sherrin factory employed 38 employees and produced some 20,000 footballs a year, as well as cricket balls, hockey balls, medicine balls, wicket‐keeping gloves, batting pads, punching balls and boxing gloves (Advocate, 27 Nov 1926, p 15). A second fire caused severe damage to the front of the premises in 1928 (Age, 19 June 1928, p 9).

On Syd Sherrin’s death in 1941, his son Tom (1917‐78) took over the family business. Like his father and great uncle, Tom was involved in the Collingwood Football Club, where he was President from 1963‐74. In 1969 a decision was made to sell the Sherrin business to Spalding, an American‐owned company which had been manufacturing sporting goods in Australia since 1920. Despite the location of the factory at Sunshine, football manufacture remained at the Collingwood factory until its closure in December 1982. In 1975 the Collingwood factory was producing about 700 footballs per week.

After closure of the Collingwood factory, all operations moved to Spalding’s factory in Sunshine and the property in Wellington Street, Collingwood was sold. It has been used for a number of purposes since this time, including manufacture and a gallery space. The Russell Corporation purchased Spalding Australia in 2003 and continues to produce a range of Sherrin footballs. Sherrin footballs are manufactured in Melbourne from cow hide lined and machine‐stitched, but cheaper models are often made in India or China.

Dates Key Events 1891‐93 TW Sherrin began his own ball making business at 20 Wellington Street Collingwood. 1894 Sherrin moved his business to an existing timber factory at 32‐24 Wellington Street Collingwood. 1912 TW Sherrin died. 1915 32‐24 Wellington Street destroyed by fire. 1915 New factory built at 32‐24 Wellington Street. 1928 Severe fire damage. Factory repaired/modified. 1915 façade may have been preserved. 1982 Football manufacturing function ceased at the place.

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 11 History of Australian Rules Football and Football Production Australian Rules Football was first played in Victoria in 1858 and variously used a spherical or oval ball. There are records of both shaped balls being used for matches throughout the 1860s however in 1877 the Victorian Football Association (VFA) was formed and for the first time a particular ball was specified ‐ a no.2 size rugby ball 26 inches in circumference. This ball size remained until 1906 when it was decreased by the Australasian Football Council and the shape and size continued to be modified through the twentieth century. The Victorian Football League (VFL) was established as a separate competition in 1897 and many of the successful VFA football teams, including the Collingwood Football Club, transferred to this competition.

TW Sherrin was a director of the Britannia Football Club when it was re‐named the Collingwood Football Club in 1892. It is claimed that Sherrin created the unique Australian Rules football shape after repairing the pointed ends of rugby balls, however this claim remains unsubstantiated. It is likely however that his familiarity with the developing game of Australian Rules Football, and his close connections with the Collingwood Football Club, allowed him to develop and trial a ball shape and size that differed from the standard rugby ball and suited the Australian code of football. The Sherrin football became the official ball of the VFL when it was established in 1897.

The Sherrin‐brand of football was increasingly promoted from the mid‐1890s as ‘superior to imported balls for durability, shape and playing quality’ and ‘as used by all metropolitan clubs’. Sherrin products continued to be described as equal, if not superior, to overseas products into the 1910s and their footballs were advertised as ‘the only balls used by the League since its inception in all semi‐final and final matches’ (Herald 18 Nov 1915, p 10).

A number of other brands of football were advertised for purchase in Victoria in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The English ‘Gilbert’ brand of rugby ball, imported to Australia from the 1870s, dominated the market in the late nineteenth century and continued to produce balls for the Victorian market in the twentieth century. In Melbourne, Sherrin footballs were produced in Collingwood from the 1880s and other football manufacturers included Robert Don (described as ‘the largest wholesale manufacturer of leather sporting goods in the Southern Hemisphere’ Daily Commercial News and Shipping List, 28 Dec 1922, p 11) and Henry Fordham, who both operated from premises in Brunswick. Lists of football manufacturers began to appear in advertisements and other publications from the 1890s. This included the Victorian Football Guide in 1894, produced by the Victorian Cricketing and Sports Company, which failed to list Sherrin‐branded footballs, despite listing punching balls manufactured by this firm. The Sherrin brand did not monopolise football production in the early twentieth century with the Fordham‐branded football selected from six tenderers as the provider of the standard ball for the VFA season (Argus, 24 April 1909, p 17).

In Western Australia, Joe Burley began production of footballs in 1906 and these quickly became popular. Both Burley, and another local producer, Hugo Fisher vied for supremacy by claiming to make the official ball of the Western Australian Football League in advertisements through to the 1920s. Interstate matches between Western Australia and South Australia in the 1920s used both Burley and Sherrin‐branded footballs in alternate quarters and at the Interstate Carnival in Melbourne in 1927, for a half each. Burley branded footballs continue to be produced.

In response to a growing interest in sporting activities in Melbourne in the 1920s, Ross Faulkner started manufacturing Australian Rules footballs, cricket balls and rugby balls in Melbourne in 1927. The Faulkner football soon established itself as a rival product to the well‐established Sherrin football in Victoria and became the official football of the VFA. The Faulkner company continues to manufacture footballs and is run by a fourth generation of the Faulkner family.

Interstate teams were introduced into the VFL in the 1980s and 1990s and the competition was re‐branded the Australian Football League (AFL) in 1990. The Sherrin football became the official ball of this expanded

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 12 competition and in 2001 Sherrin signed a long‐term contract as the supplier of footballs for AFL competition. This strengthened the existing association between the Sherrin brand and Australian Rules Football and resulted in the brand becoming the identifiable football of the Australian football code.

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS Architect name: Unknown Architectural style name: Edwardian Builder name: Unknown Construction started date: 1915. Repaired/modified after a fire in 1928. Façade may remain from 1915. Construction ended date: Unknown.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION The Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin, 32‐34 Wellington Street, Collingwood is a single‐ storey industrial brick building of simple gabled‐roof form, with timber trusses concealed behind a central curved front parapet. A simple Edwardian‐style façade, fronting Wellington Street, comprises a symmetrically composed rendered parapet with two simple vertical brick (overpainted) strips which visually support the curved parapet and a flanking pair of unframed hopper windows which appear to be set slightly off centre. The lower building façade is of face red brick and contains three frameless openings which are set asymmetrically across the façade. A pair of panelled timber doors with single upper panel are flanked by uneven banks of windows with rendered lintels and sills. Undecorated recessed horizontal panels of brickwork are located below each window.

Internally, the timber trusses are exposed with timber lining above. The internal space has been partitioned and rectangular skylights have been inserted in the roof. An early ledge and brace door is located in the rear wall of the main internal space.

INTEGRITY/INTACTNESS Intactness – The Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin does not retain any fabric from the initial phase of production of footballs by TW Sherrin 1894‐1915. The original building was destroyed by fire and replaced in 1915, then further modified after another fire in 1928. The place may retain its 1915 façade. (November 2018).

Integrity – The values of the Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin lie in the manufacturing process that occurred on site and the final product, the Sherrin football. Neither the manufacturing process nor the product are readily apparent at the place and the historic use of the place is not discernible in the fabric. The place is of low integrity (November 2018).

CONDITION The place is generally in good condition (November 2018).

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 13 COMPARISONS Sporting facilities associated with Australian Rules Football As the principal site of production of the Sherrin football from 1894 to 1982, the Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin has close associations with Australian Rules Football, a sport that plays a highly important role in the cultural heritage of Victoria. Other facilities associated with this football code remain in Victoria and are included in the Victorian Heritage Register. These include: Melbourne Cricket Ground, East Melbourne (VHR H1928) The Melbourne Cricket Ground was established in 1853 and was initially a simple ground with modest pavilion and limited grandstand and facilities. It has evolved and expanded through a number of redevelopment phases. The Melbourne Cricket Ground is considered to have historical, architectural, social and aesthetic significance at a State‐level for the following reasons:  As one of the oldest and largest capacity sporting venues both in Australia and overseas. It has been the pre‐eminent venue for top‐level cricket since the mid to late nineteenth century and the main venue for Australian Rules Football in Victoria since the late nineteenth century (historical and social)  As the main venue and ceremonial focus for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games (historical and social)  For its associations with a variety of other sports and events (historical and social)  For its association with the Melbourne Cricket Club, the oldest club in Victoria and a major force in the development of cricket and other sports in Victoria from the nineteenth century (historical and social)  For its egalitarian image as the 'people's ground' and its long tradition of serving the people of Victoria (historical and social)  For the Great Southern Stand (Daryl Jackson in association with Tompkins Shaw and Evans, 1992) which has been the recipient of a wide range of design awards and has generally been received with acclaim by architectural critics (architectural)  As a living icon, a focus of attention in which importance lies in participating in events as well as experiencing the place itself (social significance)  For its overall form and scale and its traditional parkland setting (aesthetic significance) Waverley Park, Mulgrave (VHR H1883) Waverley Park was opened in 1970 and operated as a stadium for AFL football until 1999. Designed by architect Reginald Padey and engineer John Connell as a sunken oval with high cantilevered grandstand, the stadium was located in the fast‐growing outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne on land owned and controlled by the Victorian Football League. The original vision of a stadium of enormous capacity (157,000) was only partly realised with the construction in 1974 of a segment of the encircling stand with its unusual 'scissor' trusses. The ground has hosted other sports and functions. Waverley Park (formerly VFL Park) is considered to have historical, architectural and social significance at a State‐level for the following reasons:  As a manifestation of the importance of the game of Australian Rules football to Victorians and as the first major venue to be designed specifically for this football code (historical and social)  For its pivotal role in the Victorian Football League's wresting of control of venues from local cricket clubs and municipal ground managers, to maximise revenue and independence for football (historical and social)  For its associations with the greatest changes in football in Australia (historical and social)  As a display of suburban expansion in Melbourne to the east and south‐east (historical)  For the innovative and advanced design approach to stadium design in the early 1960s and construction of its overseas‐influenced structure (architectural)  For the size of the stadium (architectural)  For the high stand (designed 1963, built 1973‐76) as an early example of a reinforced concrete structure on this scale (architectural).

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 14 Victoria Park, Abbotsford (VHR H0075) Victoria Park is a ground which was acquired for municipal use by Collingwood Council in 1882 with Australian Rules football played there for a long period from 1892 to 1999. It provided the base for the Collingwood Football Club until 2005 and the Collingwood Cricket Club from 1906 to 1996. The Collingwood Football Club has been one of the most successful, popular and influential league football clubs in Victoria. Victoria Park is considered to have historical, architectural and social significance at a State‐level for the following reasons:  For its associations with notable figures in Victorian sporting history and businessman and Collingwood supporter John Wren, who provided financial help to many players particularly through the Depression (historical)  For associations with the Depression era (historical)  For associations with the local working‐class area (historical and social)  As representative examples of large and extensive facilities at a suburban league ground (stands and walls) (architectural). Glenferrie Oval Grandstand, Hawthorn (VHR H0890) Completed in the Moderne style in 1938 to designs by architect Stuart Calder, the Glenferrie Oval Grandstand was built for the Hawthorn Football Club more than a decade after they were admitted to the Victorian Football League. The Glenferrie Oval Grandstand is considered to have historical and architectural significance at a state level for the following reasons:  For its associations with the popular sport, Australian Rules Football and the growth of the Victorian Football League (historical)  For the architectural design which clearly illustrates the principal characteristics of the Moderne style (architectural). St Kilda Cricket Ground (VHR H2234) Established as the St Kilda Cricket Ground in 1856, the ground also became the home ground of the St Kilda Football Club, which was formed in 1873. The St Kilda Cricket Ground was often used for important cricket matches when the MCG was unavailable and the VFL Grand Finals were played there in 1898 and 1899. It was the home ground of the St Kilda Football Club until 1965, and of the Fitzroy Football Club from 1970‐84. The St Kilda Cricket Ground is considered to have historical, architectural and social significance at a state level for the following reasons:  As the home ground of the St Kilda Cricket Club and the St Kilda Football Club (historical)  For its fine examples of early twentieth century grandstands (architectural)  As the home of the St Kilda Cricket Club and the St Kilda and Fitzroy Football Clubs for many years (social). Fitzroy Cricket Club Grandstand (VHR H0751) The Fitzroy Cricket Ground Grandstand was constructed in 1888. The ground was the home of the Fitzroy Football Club until 1966. The Fitzroy Cricket Ground Grandstand is considered to have historical and architectural significance at a state level for the following reasons:  As possibly the oldest and most intact nineteenth century grandstand in the metropolitan region (historical)  For its association over many years with cricket and the Fitzroy Football Club (historical)  As a fine example of a nineteenth century grandstand at a major sports venue (architectural).

Name: Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin Hermes Number: 201721 Page | 15 Summary of Comparisons There are a number of facilities associated with Australian Rules Football which clearly illustrate their association with Australian Rules Football and are represented in the Victorian Heritage Register. Unlike the Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin, these retain fabric to clearly demonstrate their association with the Australian football code.

The Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin does not clearly demonstrate the historical use of the place. It is acknowledged that the product manufactured here – the Sherrin football – has historic value; however, neither the manufacturing process or the product are apparent in the existing fabric of the place. The product is readily apparent in the collection of sporting memorabilia located at the National Sports Museum at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. On display are a large collection of Sherrin‐branded footballs dating from the early twentieth century to the twenty‐first century. Together these footballs provide a clear illustration of the association of TW Sherrin with Australian Rules Football and the sporting industry in Victoria.

PREVIOUS HERITAGE COUNCIL DETERMINATIONS RELATED TO FOOTBALL Comparison can be made with the MCG Hotel, 180 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne, which has been assessed twice by Heritage Victoria, the second time in 2011. It was determined to not be of significance at a State‐level on both occasions. The hotel was constructed as the Parade Hotel in the 1860s and was the venue for important meetings of the Melbourne Football Club and the original rules of Australian Rules football were drafted at the hotel in 1858. The hotel was rebuilt in 1863 and substantial alterations were made in 1875 and 1934. In relation to the place’s association with Australian Rules Football, the Heritage Council (in 2011) considered that:

The committee is of the view that the history of Australian Rules Football is of great significance to Victoria but is not embodied in the fabric here.

The Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin can also be considered to lack adequate fabric to demonstrate the historical association of the place with the sporting industry in Victoria.

KEY REFERENCES USED TO PREPARE ASSESSMENT City of Collingwood Rate Books, various dates Certificates of Title, 32‐38 Wellington Street, Collingwood, various Probate & Admin Files, VPRS 28/P3, unit 343, item 128/046, Public Records Office of Victoria Sands and McDougall. Melbourne Directories, various dates S Sherrin. The Family Behind the Football. Melbourne 2010 The Same Game, A Different Ball boylesfootballphotos.net.au G Blainey. A Game of our Own, the Origins of Australian Football. Melbourne 1990 Various newspaper articles

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External image without advertising signs (2017) https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property‐offices‐vic‐collingwood‐502455310

Internal image available online (https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property‐offices‐vic‐collingwood‐502455310)

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Internal image available online (https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property‐offices‐vic‐collingwood‐502455310)

Internal image available online (https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property‐offices‐vic‐collingwood‐502455310)

MMBW Detail Plan 1209, City of Collingwood, 1899

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Leader, 29 Aug 1908, p 18

Football Record, 1916 Round 2, p 14

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Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin, c 1950s from S Sherrin. The Family Behind the Football. Melbourne 2010

Former Factory, Office and Residence of TW Sherrin, 1982 from S Sherrin. The Family Behind the Football. Melbourne 2010

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