The Beaney Institute

This highly ornate Victorian building was endowed by a Mr Beaney who was the son of a local labourer. The local doctor helped to fund him to study medicine in Edinburgh. Beaney became a ship's surgeon and found himself in the Gold Rush in Melbourne in 1857. Known as `Diamond Jimmy', he became the richest doctor in Melbourne. He left £10,000 to Canterbury for this extravagent building to be the `Beaney Institute, for the education of the labouring man'.

The building now houses the main city public library and the Royal Museum.

Turn right here to enter Stour Street.