Local Government
Derby-West Kimberley
Region
Kimberley
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
90 Clarendon St Derby
Location Details
Cnr Clarendon & Fairbairn Sts; A recent house built by the RFDS on the southeastern corner of the RFDS land addressing Fairbairn St is of little significance.
Other Name(s)
Royal Flying Doctor Service Base, Derby
Construction Date
Constructed from 1955
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Register | Registered | 19 Jan 2007 |
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 | 01 Dec 1995 | Category 3 |
Category 3 |
|
Statement of Significance
The Derby headquarters of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Victorian Section) including the radio station and adjacent residence, is of social and historic significance representing the role of the Flying Doctor in the Kimberley community from the 1930s and in Derby from the 1950s. They are an important aspect of the history of the provision of medical services to the remote areas of Australia. They are particularly significant to the people of the Kimberley and to the people of Victoria who have assisted in their support throughout the history of the service in the region. They are also a significant component in the aviation history of Australia.
Physical Description
Both the house and the office are timber framed buildings typical of buildings constructed in Derby in the 1950's. The walls are clad with asbestos cement sheeting and the roofs are of corrugated iron with timber storm battens. Both the office building and the house have been altered from the original. the office contains a significant display including items relating o the history of the Flying Doctor Service and radio equipment. The existing radio equipment dates from 1972.
History
The Victorian section of the Flying Doctor Service (The Royal prefix was added in 1955) commenced operations at Wyndham in 1934. The citizens of Victoria adopted the Kimberley area to support as that State had no large outback population. The Kimberley Base was transferred to Halls Creek during WWII, from 1942-1946. The West Kimberley base opened in Derby in 1955 and the Wyndham base ceased operations in 1990.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service Radio Station office and the adjacent house were opened on 21st July 1955 by her excellency Lady Slim. The house was erected as a result of a donation by Mrs Janet Biddlecombe of Golf Hill Victoria. (Dedication plaque).
Integrity/Authenticity
Intactness of Fabric: Good
Alterations: Various
Condition
Good
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| RFDS; "Information Sheets". | RFDS Derby |
Place Type
Individual Building or Group
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Air: 0ffice or Administration Bldg |
| Present Use | RESIDENTIAL | Single storey residence |
| Original Use | RESIDENTIAL | Single storey residence |
| Other Use | Transport\Communications | Air: Other |
| Present Use | Transport\Communications | Air: 0ffice or Administration Bldg |
Architectural Styles
| Style |
|---|
| North-West Vernacular |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | METAL | Corrugated Iron |
| Other | TIMBER | Other Timber |
| Wall | ASBESTOS | Fibrous Cement, flat |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| PEOPLE | Famous & infamous people |
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Air transport |
| PEOPLE | Innovators |
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Technology & technological change |
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Community services & utilities |
Creation Date
10 Dec 1997Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
02 Feb 2017Disclaimer
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.