Braemar College

Braemar College is an ecumenical co-curricular private school located on Mount Macedon in Woodend, Victoria, Australia. Initially the school's board consisted of representatives from the three local municipalities (Shire of Gisborne, Shire of Romsey and Shire of Newham and Woodend - now replaced by the newer Shire of Macedon Ranges) and the three local Christian denomination churches (Anglican, Catholic and Uniting). The school's motto is Unum Corpus Multi Sumus (One body, many parts).Braemar HouseThe main building in the college, Braemar House, dates from the late nineteenth century and is believed to be the largest plywood structure in the Southern Hemisphere. Braemar House is a substantial two storey timber mansion on brick and stone foundations with high pitched roofs, intricate gables and asymmetric features, which was constructed in 1889-90 to a design by Italian-born architect Louis Boldini.The school's architectural style is classified as Victorian Period (1851–1901) Free Classical.Braemar House was built as a guest house for affluent Melbourne residents by a consortium of Melbourne businessmen. The location of Braemar House in the Mount Macedon area which was noted for its bracing mountain air made it attractive to those who believed that city life was not conducive to good health and that regular vacations in a healthy environment would restore well being. Access to rail transport and proximity to recreational activities such as walking and climbing in picturesque locations such as nearby Hanging Rock made Woodend a suitable place for such a venture.