90th Anniversary of Prahran Mechanics Institute Print Page 
Mechanics Institute of Victoria plaque commemorates the 90th anniversary of the Prahran Mechanics Institute.
The purpose of the MIV Historical Plaques Program is to inform the public of the history of Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria and also give a snippet of history about the individual Institute. The idea of putting a plaque on Mechanics' Institute Halls was advanced by Committee member Alan Tonkin in 1999. Committee member Paul Permezel brought it to reality in 2003 and since then plaques have been installed to mark special occasions within Institutes all across the State. These plaques have been used to commemorate a significant date in the history of an Institute or town; be it an anniversary, or a significant renovation or restoration project.
Location
| Address: | 140 High Street, Prahran Mechanics Institute, Prahran, 3181 |
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| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -37.851754 Long: 144.991781 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
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| Monument Theme: | Culture |
| Sub-Theme: | Community |
| Approx. Event Start Date: | 1915 |
| Approx. Event End Date: | 2005 |
| Link: | http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mivic/ |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Saturday 8th October, 2005 |
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Mechanics Institute of Victoria Inc. (MIV)
Prahran Mechanics' Institute (est. 1854)
Formed Prahran Technical School on this site in 1915.
The Mechanics' Institute movement began in British urban industrial centres in the early 1800s. A "mechanic" was a person applying skills and technology. During the 19th century, most towns in Victoria established a Mechanics' Institute or Athenaeum with a library and meeting hall. Common objects were the "spread of useful knowledge" and provision for "rational recreation" in the community.
This plaque, No. 11 in the MIV series, was unveiled on 8 October 2005 to mark the 90th anniversary of the opening ceremony of this building.
