Local Government
Merredin
Region
Wheatbelt
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
Mitchell St Merredin
Location Details
Other Name(s)
Merredin District Hall
Merredin Town Hall (fmr) incl. Clock Tower Building
Road Board Office (fmr)
Construction Date
Constructed from 1925
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Register | Registered | 26 Feb 1999 |
Register Entry Assessment Documentation |
Heritage Council |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Register of the National Estate | Indicative Place |
|
Heritage Council | ||
| Art Deco Significant Bldg Survey | Completed | 30 Jun 1994 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 02 Apr 1983 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Register of the National Estate | Nominated | 30 May 1984 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 16 Apr 1999 | Category 2 |
Category 2 |
|
Statement of Significance
As the town of Merredin grew larger and more prosperous an obvious need developed for a public meeting place and venue for social occasions.
The original hall and Road Board Office, a wooden building, was opened in 1913. This event was celebrated with a Grand Ball and Banquet attended by "all of Merredin's beauty and chivalry".
With the exception of the clock, which-looks a little too small, the building is well proportioned and would have been a significant addition to the town at the time of construction in 1924/5. The building is of architectural and social value.
Physical Description
The original wooden hall on the site was opened by the Hon. T. Bath 23 April, 1913. The hall measured 60' x 40' and cost £360. The brick and tile building that remains is the former Road Board Offices that were constructed on the property boundary in front of the hall since demolished. The building which opened 20 May, 1925 is symmetrical with the entrance at the foot of the tower and office accommodation either side. The tower has clocks on three sides, gablets on two sides and the words "MERREDIN DISTRICT HALL" centrally
placed. The date "1925" appears over the entrance, beneath a curved canopy. The north side (rear) has been rendered and has a toilet block addition.
History
The western office section has a centrally placed foundation stone, adjoining the street, with the following inscription:
"This stone was laid by W.C. Woolcar J.P.'
Chairman Merredin Road Board
on 16th November 1924
W.J. Cohn C.E. Secretary
W. Geo Pickering, Jas R. Parker
Aria WA Builder Architect"
Matching the above stone is another stone in the eastern office section, with the following inscription:
"The clock in this tower was erected by the residents of the district in memory of the soldiers who laid down their lives in the Great War 1914-1918.
This tablet was unveiled by Brigadier - General A.J. Bessell-Browne CB CMG DSO VD (F), on 25th April 1928."
By the entrance is a Bicentennial Plaque with the following inscription:
"Merredin's growth after 1920 prompted the newly formed Road Board to build a public meeting place. The original wooden hall and Board Office was opened in 1913. In 1924 the chairman of the Road Board, Mr G. Woolgar, began a campaign to renovate the hall. A loan of £7,000 was raised and the front brick section of the hall was opened in May 1925.
Integrity/Authenticity
The building that remains is of high integrity. Offices added along east wall 1944; west section remodelled 1958; wall at rear demolished January 1978; subsequent toilet block addition.
Condition
Good
Associations
| Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
|---|---|---|---|
| W. Geo Pickering (ARIA W.A.) | Architect | - | - |
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Merredin Tourist" brochure | Merredin Tourist & Information Centre (Inc) | 1979 | |
| "Merredin Peak Heritage Trail" booklet | WA Heritage Committee | 1988 |
State Heritage Office library entries
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10003 | Merredin Town Hall (fmr) | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2012 |
Place Type
Individual Building or Group
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Town, Shire or District Hall |
| Present Use | SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL | Other Community Hall\Centre |
Architectural Styles
| Style |
|---|
| Inter-War Free Classical |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | TILE | Aluminium Tile |
| Wall | BRICK | Common Brick |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Government & politics |
Creation Date
30 May 1989Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
21 Feb 2024Disclaimer
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.