House

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as a late example of the Federation style set in a mature garden.
• The place has historic value for its association with the development of Bassendean in the early 20th century.
• The place has research value as its evolution from 1898 demonstrates different building styles and techniques.
• The place has historic value for its association with prominent local community member, John Pickering and his family.
• This place has social value as the house demonstrates the form and scale of housing for
professional men and their families in the early 20th century.

Physical Description

Single storey dwelling of timber framed construction clad in weatherboard. Most detail of the façade is obscured due to dense and mature vegetation. The façade has two projecting sections; one on the east and west corners with a central recessed section. The front entrance is centrally located on the east projecting section façade. The roof appears hipped and clad in corrugated metal. There is a gabled dormer window situated in the
south plane of hipped roof within the recessed section of façade. A separate corrugated metal bullnose canopy extends across the east projecting and recessed sections of façade and is supported by timber posts with decorative timber brackets.

History

This portion of Bassendean was subdivided for residential development c1905 when developer, Wesley Maley purchased a large parcel of land bordering the river. The names of roads in this subdivision known as ‘Riverside’, reflected Wesley Maley’s enthusiasm for the prize rams he purchased for his Katanning pastoral property, Moojebing. Maley purchased a flock of rams from South Australian politician, J.H. Angus. Several of the rams were named in honour of Australian prime ministers and consequently the names Watson, Deakin, Barton, Fisher and Reid were applied to the roads in this subdivision. The lots were
not developed rapidly and most not until the period following World War Two.
Information from the current owners states the building has been constructed in several stages and been adapted and added to regularly. It is understood that the first structure on the property was a simple two roomed shack built in 1898. Between 1905 and 1911, three rooms and a hallway were added in a more conventional manner of construction when compared to the earlier rudimentary shack. During this phase of work or shortly after the ceilings were raised in the original portion of the house and a new roof constructed across the two structures. It is believed these additions were instigated by John Pickering who
secured the large property and established an orchard. Works were again undertaken at the place for John Pickering in 1923 as documentary evidence has been found to confirm works at the property. John William Pickering (c1869-1957) and his wife Jane Anne, nee Waites (c1865-1955) were very active in the Bassendean community. John Pickering was elected Chairman of the West Guildford Road Board in 1913-14 and took that office again in 1921-22. With the adoption of the name ‘Bassendean’ in 1922, he became the first Chairman of the Bassendean Road Board and held office until 1929. His contribution to the Town of Bassendean was acknowledged in the naming of ‘Pickering Park’ in 1913 prior to his election
to office as a tribute to the work he had done to establish the park.The couple lived in the house they named ‘Floreat’ until the 1950s on the occasion of their fiftieth wedding
anniversary, John Pickering made the comment that Jane ‘was a wonderful woman who ‘did all the housework and washing for a house that measured 60ft by 60ft’.In the 1960s the house was converted to a triplex and the property boundaries were reduced. New
structures were constructed adjoining the house and partitions were erected within the original rooms. In 1974, the property was transferred to new owners who undertook additions and renovations over the following decades. The current owners have continued to undertake sympathetic additions and repairs including reroofing the whole house in zincalume. During the additions particular attention has been made to retain the mature trees in the garden including an English Oak and an Umbrella tree.

Integrity/Authenticity

High
Moderate

Condition

Fair

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.