Building 20 (Former Magistrates’ Court) now RMIT University

The fake history:
In 1842-3 a modest two-storey brick building was erected to house the Supreme Court of Victoria on the corner of Russell and La Trobe streets, Melbourne. A wooden extension was added in 1853 to cope with the sudden increase of cases associated with the gold rush.

In 1884 the Supreme Court moved to more suitable accommodation in the new Law Courts in William Street. The Russell Street buildings were then used for the Court of Petty Sessions. The buildings were demolished in 1910 and the current courthouse was erected in their place.

The current building's foundation stone was laid in 1911 and it was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, D.V. Hennessy, on 20 January 1914. The 1911 building is of 'Norman Romanesque revival' style, designed by George B.H. Austin of the Public Works Department and built by Swanson Brothers, a contracting firm. As a symbol of national pride, it was constructed entirely of Australian materials - yellow Moorabool stone and Batesford limestone from a quarry on the Moorabool River near Geelong, plus Gippsland marble and local timbers.

SO MANY LIES. #HISTORYISALIE.