Yardarino School (ruin)

Statement of Significance

Yardarino School (ruin), a single-roomed school ruin, constructed of limestone and timber, in a rural setting, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
the place is rare as a single-roomed stone school constructed in the 1870s in Western Australia, albeit in ruin form, being one of only four known surviving examples of these 40-student schools constructed in the State in the mid to late 1800s, and one of only two remaining to have been built to the Public Works Department plan form 720, which was superseded in 1893;
RECOMMENDATION
Every effort should be made to stabilise and restore this building given its high historic and social significance. The building when restored and given its setting would be suitable as an artist’s retreat (eg writers, composers, and visual arts).

Physical Description

This single room random rubble stone schoolhouse has partially collapsed, with the western two-thirds of the building remaining intact. The hipped roof has a few sheets of iron still remaining, however the timber boarding indicates that the building was originally shingled. The windows are timber framed six pane, with originally three on each side. The west wall has a fireplace and an entry door set to the side.

History

This single room schoolhouse, built in 1878, was used as a school when enough pupils attended to employ a teacher. It was also used for marriages and baptisms by the Anglican church community around the Irwin Townsite. After it was closed as a school it was sold to I.C. Burges and was used along with the adjoining teacher’s residence for farm workers accommodation. The schoolmaster's house was accidentally burnt down in the 1950s and the school became a hay shed.
(Source: Bruce Baskerville)
2004
The Shire of Irwin obtained a Lotterywest grant in late 2003 and works have been undertaken to reconstruct the school in 2004. The works are planned to include roof restoration by the end of 2004.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High

Condition

Poor

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.