Upper Gascoyne Road Board Office (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The Former Upper Gascoyne Road Heard Office has high Historic significance as the centre of
local government in the district for 55 years. The place also has considerable social
significance for its links to the prevision of education in the district for several years and its
current use as a local museum. The simpIe style and compact scale cf the building together
with its good condition and high integrity combine to enhance the aesthetic Qualities cf the
place. The building is an excellent example of the small road board offices built in rural and
remote areas in the early part of the 1900's and forms an intrinsic part of the civic precinct arc
built environment of Gascoyne Junction.

Physical Description

The Former Upper Gascovne Road Board Office is located immediately to the east of the
present Shire Office on Scott Street. The small timber framed building is clad with horizontally
fixed weatherboards which have been painted cream. A steeply pitched pyramid-shaped
corrugated iron roof covers the main building while a separate surrounding verandah reef is
supported on timber posts. The original timber verandah floor has been replaced with
concrete. The simple front (north) facade of the building faces the street and features only a
centrally placed timber pane! entry door. The symmetrical design of the building sees a second
door positioned on the opposite (south) wall, while the side walls each have a large timber
framed double hung window. Internally, the building consists of only one room and features
ripple iron to both the walls and ceiling. There is some evidence of white ant damage to the
weatherboard cladding on all the elevations of the building.
A collection of artifacts is housed inside and around the building, including a number of etc
signs attached to the external walls.

History

The Gascoyne Road Board was formed in 1887. and it's first members were Robert Busr,. Roger
O'Grady. Henry Waish, Charles Davis. E. Darlot and John Fitzpatrick. The Board was mainy
occupied with building and maintaining roads and wells In the district, which at that time also
included the Murchison District. In 1S07, the Upper Gascoyne Road Board was termed with
William Scott as Chairman and Walter Summerhayes Smith as Secretary. Road Scare meetings
were held at Bidgemia Station [Place No. 7], however members seen agreed that it was
necessary to have an official office for Board meetings. On 20 September 1912, the Road Board
Secretary submitted the pro-forma invoice from Millars Karri and Jarrah Co. fcr a proposed office
at 'the Junction' as it was locally known, but officially named Kiiliii in 1912. and later renamed
Gascoyne Junction. The invoice for 88 pounds was for material cut and ready for erection on a
block of land granted by the government. The small two-room building was used for the regular
meetings of the Road Board, it was also used as a school from 1953 until a new school was built
and officially opened in May 1965.

on July 1961. the Upper Gascoyne Road Board became the Upper Gascoyne Shire Council
when the Local Government Act 1950 cane into operation. A new Shire Hall and Office were
built immediately adjacent en Scott Street and opened on 24 June 1967. the old Road Board
building currently operates as a local museum.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.