House, 5 Eileen Street

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as a predominantly intact example of the Federation style.
• The place has historic value for its association with the development of this area of Bassendean.
• This place has social value as the remaining original front portion of the house demonstrates the form and scale of housing in the early 1900s.
• The place has historic value for its association with the prominent local leader in the Labor
Movement, William Counsel.

Physical Description

An elevated single storey timber and iron dwelling with a symmetrical façade. The hipped roof is clad with corrugated zincalume and has a tall painted brick corbelled chimney. The façade includes timber framed sash windows, 1-over-1 style flanking a centrally placed front door. The front door has side lights and a fan light above. The verandah extends across the full width of the front elevation incorporating a separate skillion canopy, positioned just below the eaves, wrapping around the side which has been infilled with a weatherboard addition. The canopy is supported on turned timber columns with non-original lace brackets. A timber balustrade is located between columns. Access to the verandah is via steps from the driveway and the elevated section of the verandah has been infilled with recycled bricks.

History

This portion of Bassendean was subdivided by a group of investors in 1898. The group of investors included some of the most well-known members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H. Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr J. Hope and W. Paterson. Eileen Street was named after Eileen Kenny whose father Dr Daniel Kenny was an eminent physician in addition to being a significant land speculator. From the available evidence this cottage was the first residence in the street, built in 1910 for William
Counsel (c1872-1916) his wife Elizabeth Emily Counsel, née Thompson and their five daughters and two sons. William Counsel worked as a railway employee and was a significant figure in the Labor movement in Western Australia. He was a Justice of the Peace and held the position of President of the WA Amalgamated Society of Railway Employees. On a trip to the goldfields in 1916 as the representative for the Midland Districts Council and Metropolitan Superphosphate Workers at the Labor Congress he fell sick and
died five days later, aged 44. His funeral was well attended by parliamentarians and members of the wider Union movement. Elizabeth Counsel lived on at the house until her death in 1924. Aerial photographs indicate that the property is likely to have included the adjacent lot immediately to the north, 3 Eileen Street. This was subsequently developed c1970. The cottage was reroofed in zincalume in the late 1990s and appears to have been extended to the rear of the lot at this time.

Integrity/Authenticity

High
Moderate

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.