Yarloop Timber Mill Workshops

Physical Description

The buildings are in varying states of repair, some needing maintenance and restoration. Millar's are thought to have intentions of redeveloping their worlc:shop system, possibly on the same site. For this reason the National Trust recommends that consideration should be given to the preservation of the complex, possibly as a working museum. The complex is of major importance because contents of the buildings consist of the technological equipment of a timber mill workshop before the opening of the twentieth century together with associated structures in timber erected before the general use of metal for all purposes.
Note: Yarloop was impacted by severe bushfires in 2016 and a restoration project is underway

History

Assessment 1974
Construction mid 1890's
Architect/Builder; Millars Karri & Jarrah Co LTD
At Yarloop, nearly 80 miles south of Perth along the South Western Highway, Millars Karri and Jarrah Co.Ltd. have operated a timber mill since the 1890's. An early decision was: made to centralise the mill and workshop activities at Yarloop to service the several timber mills operated by the company in the hills eastwards of the W.A.G.R .South Western Railway. The mill tradition is that the name derives from the loop line at the timber yard; early settlers would remark that a nearby brook had the name Yalup .
The mill and workshop were originally built alongside the Government railway, but in more recent times the mill was resited near the Highway. To visit the workshop one must turn off the Highway, by-pass the present mill and continue into the township .

Hillar's timber operations (involving the mill and workshop)represent one of the fundamental reasons for Yarloop's existence. Built in the mid 1890's the workshops retain all the original .form and atmosphere and read much as they must have done when first operative.
The main workshop contains original heavy equipment, overhead belt drive gear, boilers, clocks etc•• A G-class steam locomotive in very original condition stands in its own shed . Our preliminary investigatio ns indicate that this workshop may have been maintaining Millar's fleet of steam locomotives and mill equipment before the Midland railway workshops were operative.It is believed that occasionally W.A.G.R .locomotives were serviced at this workshop which was so much moI·e central for the South Western Railway.

The complex represents a unique example of a complete and working timber mill workshop in Western Australia (and possibly Australia).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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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.