Bert Wright Reserve

Author

City of Bayswater

Place Number

11336

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Location

Cnr King William & Hamilton Sts Bayswater

Location Details

Local Government

Bayswater

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1928

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
Heritage List	Adopted	25 Feb 2020

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	24 Feb 1998	Classification 5	Classification 5 These sites do not have built features and includes parkland or environmental areas of significance. They also include sites which may have been demolished.
Local Heritage Survey	Adopted	25 Feb 2020	Classification 3	Classification 3 Sites have heritage significance, though it is likely that these places will or have experienced development pressure. Owners of properties are encouraged to retain and conserve their property wherever possible, although demolition would be supported where there is limited opportunity to retain the existing buildings.

Statement of Significance

This place is representative of civic functions within Bayswater and has an historic association with the development of the Bayswater Townsite.

Physical Description

A public park consisting mainly of a large levelled lawn area suitable for games and other activities. This area is achieved on what would originally have been a sloping site by the construction of steep banks on two sides. These banks are also grassed and surmounted by the row of trees which surrounds the whole area.

History

The land was resumed in 1928 and improvements have been carried out progressively. This historic park near the centre of Bayswater was the first public area resumed by the Roads Board. It had formerly been the site of Chue Hing's garden and then a small mixed farm. During the late 1920s, when an effort was being made to upgrade the business district, it was decided that a farm, which was not particularly presentable, located within the town centre created the wrong impression. Robert McLeish, President of the Businessmen's Association, led the campaign to have it taken over for public purposes. In 1928, it was resumed,
improved and eventually named Whatley Gardens. This became the home ground of the Women's Hockey Club during the 1930s. During the 1960s when modern facilities were being developed in the district, it was chosen as a site for the Senior Citizens Centre and the Bayswater Library. The name was changed in honour of Bert Wright, a long standing Shire Council member and well known hardware store proprietor. The presence of this park and Halliday Park so close to the centre of Bayswater reminds us of the rural locations into which Swan Location U was originally subdivided. Had these large areas of land not remained farms until well into the twentieth century, they would not now be parklands.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High
Authenticity - High

Condition

Good

Place Type

Urban Park

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Present Use	PARK\RESERVE	Park\Reserve
Original Use	PARK\RESERVE	Park\Reserve

Historic Themes

General	Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Sport, recreation & entertainment

Creation Date

19 Mar 1998

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

19 May 2021

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.