Invercloy Park

Statement of Significance

The date palms are a significant landmark on both Great Eastern Highway and Wedderburn Place.
The date palms have a strong aesthetic and historic connection to Invercloy (1904), which enhance this significant property.
The date palms are associated with Jack Barry, a well-known horse owner, and who probably planted them c.1929.

Accurately giving the age of a Canary Island Date Palm is difficult, since their growth rate is dependent on the quantity of water they are able to obtain. It is usually thought that these palms take 80 years to reach their full height of 18 metres, but in the presence of sufficient water this height can be reached in 25 years. Nonetheless, there is good evidence they were planted for Jack Barry after he purchased Wedderburn (formerly Invercloy, and later Nulsen Haven) in 1928.
Jack Barry had retired from the racing industry and purchased Wedderburn, “one of the show places of Belmont”. He remodelled and redecorated the property, but the most notable change to the extensive grounds was to the garden. (Call News, 22 March 1929) It is likely, then, that the date palms were planted during this campaign.
By 1943, when Wedderburn was offered for sale, it was described as being enclosed by “well-kept lawns, gardens and shrubberies, all well reticulated”, and a particular feature was “the number of well grown shade trees”. (West Australian, 10 March 1943) The description of trees as “well grown” is consistent with them having been planted c.1929.
In 2016, the four date palms are on a separate lot to the original property, and are located in a small park with high aesthetic value.

Physical Description

Four mature Canary Island Date Palms (Phoenix canariensis) located on the former garden of Invercloy (1904, later called Wedderburn and then Nulsen Haven).

History

The date palms are a significant landmark on both Great Eastern Highway and Wedderburn
Place.
The date palms have a strong aesthetic and historic connection to Invercloy (1904), which
enhance this significant property.
The date palms are associated with Jack Barry, a well-known horse owner, and who
probably planted them c.1929.
Accurately giving the age of a Canary Island Date Palm is difficult, since their growth rate is
dependent on the quantity of water they are able to obtain. It is usually thought that these
palms take 80 years to reach their full height of 18 metres, but in the presence of sufficient
water this height can be reached in 25 years. Nonetheless, there is good evidence they
were planted for Jack Barry after he purchased Wedderburn (formerly Invercloy, and later
Nulsen Haven) in 1928.
Jack Barry had retired from the racing industry and purchased Wedderburn, “one of the
show places of Belmont”. He remodelled and redecorated the property, but the most
notable change to the extensive grounds was to the garden. (Call News, 22 March 1929) It
is likely, then, that the date palms were planted during this campaign.
By 1943, when Wedderburn was offered for sale, it was described as being enclosed by
“well-kept lawns, gardens and shrubberies, all well reticulated” and a particular feature was
“the number of well grown shade trees”. (West Australian, 10 March 1943) The description
of trees as “well grown” is consistent with them having been planted c.1929.
In 2016, the four date palms are on a separate lot to the original property, and are located in
a small park with high aesthetic value.

Condition

Very Good

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.