Filmer's Corner (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The site on which the Filmer family built their shop and the building itself, is a well-known landmark and meeting place for locals. The building also has some architectural significance, being a unique style of architecture in the town of Katanning.

Physical Description

Constructed from brick with a flat corrugated iron roof. The style of the building alludes to the Inter-war functionalist architecture with its simple curved lines and flat roof concealed by a parapet.
The Clive Street fa?ade has a suspended awning with a pressed metal lining and the shop fronts are authentic with their metal frames and plate glass. The copies are stylised versions of classical ones.

History

In 1904 the Filmer family moved from South Australia to settle on land at Katanning. One of the Filmer sons, Walter J., moved into the town in 1920 and set up business (Filmer and Forbes Limited) in a small shop owned by the Cass family near the corner of Clive and Daping Streets because he saw the "opportunities offering in motor power". [Bignell, p.200] He also set himself up as a land agent.
Progressively Filmer moved into larger premises until finally in 1938 he purchased "a vacant block on the corner of Clive and Daping and had Philpott and Baldwin build his own premises (completed in 1942)". [Anderson,p.433] It was named "Filmer's Corner".
As soon as she was old enough, Filmer's daughter Ivy began working as an office girl for her father. In addition, his sons were to later join him in the business, which had considerably extended. The firm gained a solid reputation in farm machinery - sales, parts and services. In the late 1940s and 50s the adjoining block was purchased from Arthur Hobbs (the baker) and additions were made to the store.
Filmer retired in 1951, but the business continued to operate with the sons in charge, changing the trading name to Filmer Bros. It is currently occupied by Cut'n'Cote Paints but still referred to as "Filmer's Corner".

Condition

Good

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.