In 1843, Alexander Dawson was employed as a Foreman of Works by the Civil Branch of the Royal Engineers in Dover, England. In February 1844 he was posted to Van Diemen's Land, arriving in Hobart Tasmania, in October 1844. He served as a Senior Clerk of Works in the Office of the Ordnance and was involved in supervising various Military and Civil works in the colony. In 1848, Dawson was asked to design and supervise the construction of a 3 storey school house in the Gothic style. The High School was officially opened in January 1850 and eventually became the first building of the University of Tasmania. for more information see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales_Government_Architect#Alexander_Dawson