Manjimup Infant Health Centre (fmr)

Statement of Significance

Aesthetic, Historic, Representativeness, Social and Rarity

Physical Description

The Manjimup Infant Health centre (fmr) is on the corner of Rutherford
and Moore St. The site comprises the clinic and a brick and tile garage.
The clinic building is located centrally on the site and is set on the
diagonal so the front façade faces towards the intersection of the two
streets.
The clinic is a single storey brick and tile building built on a domestic
scale similar to houses built in the Inter-War period. It is constructed of
stretcher bond brick work walls and a Marseilles patterned terracotta tile
roof with lined eaves and timber windows. The main façade of the clinic
is composed symmetrically with two hipped roofed wings projecting
forward of the main body of the building.
The main entrance to the building is central within the wall between the
two wings. The entrance is housed within a semi-circular portico. Much
of the architectural interest in this building is concentrated on the design
of the entrance portico, which together with the symmetry of the front
façade, displays a number of the characteristics of the Inter-War Stripped
Classical style. Six octagonal columns support the simplified rendered
entablature of the portico, bearing the words Manjimup Infant Health
Centre. A simple curved balustrade runs between the columns.

History

These historical notes have been derived from the Heritage Places
Assessment Documentation, Heritage Council Of Western Australia
Compiled by Kristy Bizzaca December 2001
There was an increase in the provision of public services to the
Manjimup area during the Inter-War period. This coincided with the
recognition of a need for state wide infant welfare services to be set up
throughout Western Australia. It was at the instigation of the Bridgetown
branch of the CWA that an infant health clinic was opened at
Bridgetown/ Manjimup on 29 November 1940. At the time of
establishment the Bridgetown Clinic also served the Manjimup district.
The Infant Health nurse based as Bridgetown travelled to the sub-centre
at Manjimup one day a week to operate a clinic out of the rooms in the
local CWA’s rest room (Hall). In 1943 the service was increased to two
and a half days a week owing to a flourishing clinic. At some point
during this growing period the Infant Health service moved from the
CWA Hall to new accommodation in Brockman Street. It appears in
c1943 the Manjimup Infant Health Centre became increasingly
autonomous from the Bridgetown clinic. Records show that the
Manjimup Infant Health Centre was administered by its own committee
as early as 1941/1942. The committee was responsible for paying the
Sister’s wages and the running expenses of the clinic, which included
raising money for rent and maintenance costs.
In January 1944 Dr Eleanor Stang, Medical Supervisor of Infant Health,
visited Manjimup. Her meeting with the Infant Health nurse, Sister Page,
and the Manjimup committee, stimulated the local community to raise
funds for the building of a new Infant Health Centre. A baby competition
was organized by the Committee and the local community supported the
concept by raising over 1,400 pounds. Further money was secured form
the Lotteries commission and the Manjimup Road Board.
In 1944 Nancy Allen of the architectural firm of WG Bennett drew up
plans for the proposed Manjimup Infant Health Centre. The building
comprised the rooms of the centre and the living quarters for the nurse.
In February 1945 the tender for the construction of the Infant Health
Centre was awarded to builder James Rea. Records show that the Infant
Health Clinic formed part of a larger civic centre to be located at the site.
However, the construction of the community centre did not go ahead.
The Manjimup Road Board as owners of the property became responsible for the Infant Health centre’s maintenance.
The Infant Health Centre was opened to mothers on 4 February 1946.
Much to the consternation of Sister Hernan the new centre was not well
attended in the first few months. The new clinic was deemed to far from
the hub of the town. Attempts to solve the problem included a free bus to
transport mothers and their babies to this vital service. The centre was
officially opened on 5 July 1946, by this time the earlier concerns of
attendance seem to have died down.
In 1994 the clinic was enlarged to takeover the residential facilities. It
was at this stage the main entrance was changed to the north side (the
former front door of the Sister’s living quarters.)
In April/May 2000 the Manjimup Infant Health Clinic was relocated to a
new building. It is interesting to note that the Manjimup Infant Health
Clinic is still administered by a management committee, one of the few
remaining clinic in WA to be operated this way. In 2005 the Infant
Health Centre (fmr) was occupied and being used as a Shire office.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Fair
Authenticity: Very high

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.