Local Government
Merredin
Region
Wheatbelt
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
Lot 1450 Mackenzie Cr Merredin
Location Details
Additional address: Lot 1452 Goldfields Rd, Merredin. 11/5/2011 - VFL. Located approximately 400 metres to the east of Benson Road, at the east side of the Merredin townsite, north of the railway line and Great Eastern Highway, and 200 metres past the entry and car park to Railway Dam, Merredin
Other Name(s)
2/1 AGH; Army Hospital, Merredin;
First Australian General Hospital Site
Construction Date
Constructed from 1942
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Register | Registered | 02 Dec 2011 |
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 | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 16 Apr 1999 | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
|
Statement of Significance
The army hospital was relocated from Tobruk to Merredin in December 1942 for strategic reasons and because a reliable supply of fresh water was available. It operated in the town for 18 months. Twenty doctors and over one hundred personnel were employed on the site.
The influx of thousands of injured and recuperating men associated with the hospital brought substantial economic benefits to the town. There were also social benefits, such as local churches being able to support large choirs. Local knowledge states that the hospital was constructed as part of a base for counter-attack on Perth and Fremantle, should the metropolitan area have been taken by the Japanese during World War II.
This conflicts with the commonly held view that if the enemy had landed in WA, Australia's defence forces would abandon the State and pull back to a line between Adelaide and Brisbane.
These structures are considered to be of national importance.
Physical Description
On the north-eastern fringes of the Merredin town site the First Australian General Hospital occupied an area of about 12 ha. Most of the structures were tents, of which nothing remains.
The most substantial buildings were two theatre blocks, which were located side by side and the power plant, situated nearby. All three buildings were timber framed, asbestos and iron, sitting on brick and concrete bases, with floors 0.3-0.5 m above the ground. The bases remain in quite good condition with the only exception being the corner of one base, adjacent to the current access track, which has been broken apparently by a vehicle. The power plant building is distinguishable by concrete mounting blocks, raised above the floor.
There is evidence of drains and an extensive sewerage system beneath the whole hospital complex. Approximately 500 m to the north-west, on the granite outcrop of Merredin Peak, is the Army Hospital Reservoir.
History
Themes: Outside Influences - World War II.
Integrity/Authenticity
With substantial remains of the more important buildings and the sewerage system, the site has a measure of integrity.
Condition
Fair to poor- slowly deteriorating
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Merredin Peak Heritage Trail" booklet | WA Heritage Committee | 1988 |
State Heritage Office library entries
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8904 | Merredin Peak Reserve [WA] : interpretation plan. | Heritage Study {Other} | 2007 |
Place Type
Individual Building or Group
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | HEALTH | Hospital |
| Present Use | VACANT\UNUSED | Vacant\Unused |
| Original Use | MILITARY | Other |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Other | CONCRETE | Concrete Slab |
| Wall | BRICK | Common Brick |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| OTHER | Other Sub-Theme |
| OUTSIDE INFLUENCES | World Wars & other wars |
| PEOPLE | Aboriginal people |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Aboriginal Occupation |
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Community services & utilities |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Racial contact & interaction |
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Government & politics |
| OCCUPATIONS | Domestic activities |
Creation Date
18 May 1999Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
31 Dec 2016Disclaimer
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.