Bonnie Rock Hall

Statement of Significance

The hall is of considerable significance as the only visible reminder of a
the community and settlement at Bonnie Rock which developed in the depression years. It has associations with the generations of the Bonnie Rock community and has a 'sense of place' for the events and special occasions that have taken place.

Physical Description

Timber framed and clad with weatherboard dado and asbestos. The gable roof is clad with corrugated iron. The interior has jarrah dado wall beneath the unlined remainder of the walls. The exterior weatherboards have been painted in more recent years over the original oiled boards.

History

In 1932, the townsite of Bonnie Rock was declared, after the railway line
opened in 1931. A store, sports ground and reservoir were established, and the settlement hoped Bonnie Rock would be the centre of the new Mukinbudin Roads Board District. In 1933/34, the area boomed with 100,000 bags of wheat at the siding. Moves were made to construct a district hall. At that time, settlers took turns in hosting socials and dances, and after a boarding house was established in town, it became the venue, but pressure was on for a community venue. In 1933, the Progress association had opened a hall fund account, and fundraising in the community took the form of cropping, sports days and dances.

In 1934 the Roads Board raised a loan and built the 30' x 40' hall, after it became obvious that Bonnie Rock would not be the administrative centre of the district. The hall was opened on 30 November 1935, by the MLA F Warner. It was the focus point of the district with dances, meetings, church services, Christmas trees, and 'Heron's Talkies', as well as being the venue for the school.

By 1937, the kitchen and ladies room were added on, and a 6 light 'Wizard' lighting plant was installed. In 1938, the district nurse used the hall for consultations. The same year, a gramophone and record collection were bought for the hall.

By 1944, the Bonnie Rock townsite had no residents, and the hall remained as the district focus, as it does in the late 1990s.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact
Authenticity: High Degree

Condition

Very 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.