Pinjarra Court House (fmr)

Statement of Significance

Pinjarra Court House is an intact example of a court house constructed in the Inter-War Georgian Revival style with Art Deco stylistic detailing. Pinjarra Court House is associated with the administration of justice and the maintenance of law and order in the area, with the site having been used for court purposes until 2003. Pinjarra Court House makes a significant contribution to the historic streetscape of Pinjarra.

Physical Description

Pinjarra Court House is a modest courthouse constructed in the Inter-War Georgian Revival style with Art Deco stylistic detailing. The overall form is restrained and well proportioned and combines functionality with a flourish of detailing. The projecting front portico is classically inspired and the internal plasterwork detailing is in stylised low relief. The built-in timber furniture has been well designed and crafted.

History

In 1934, designs for Pinjarra Court House were prepared by the Public Works Department under the direction of A.E (Paddy) Clare. Pinjarra Court House was constructed between the Post Office and the Police Station, on the site once occupied by an earlier court house. In January 1935, the building contract was awarded to E. Ward for £1327, and work commenced immediately. Pinjarra Court House was a rendered brick and tile building, with a formal portico, surmounted by a flag pole (since removed), opening to a passage way, with a Magistrate’s Room on one side and a room for witnesses on the other. In the back three fifths of the building was the Court Room, with the Bench on the south west of the room, the police entrance on the south, and the public entrance on the north-east wall of the room, opening into a waiting room. Separate male and female toilets were constructed at the rear of Pinjarra Court House. As was its usual practice, the PWD also designed the built-in furniture for the Court Room, which was constructed largely in jarrah. On 7 June 1935, the official opening of Pinjarra Court House was reported in the local paper: After years of waiting and agitation the town of Pinjarra is at last [in] possession of a magnificent building that is at once not only an adornment to the town, but one well fitted to take pride of place in any town of much bigger size than Pinjarra. The beautiful building is a distinct credit to the Principal Architect and officers of the Public Works Department, to the Supervisor (Mr C Angel) and the contractor and builder (Mr E Ward). In 1948 minor repairs and renovations were carried out on Pinjarra Court House. In 1955 septic tanks were installed to service the Police Station and Pinjarra Court House, resulting in the old brick earth closet at the very rear of the block being demolished and an additional new brick water closet and urinal built behind the Court House. In 1959 a storeroom was built at the southern corner of the Court House. In 1972 the storeroom was removed and additions built onto the rear of the Court House. The additions consisted of a new Magistrate’s Room and a new storeroom. Both of these rooms could be accessed from a new verandah on their south-west. There were also internal modifications. In 1977 a toilet block was built on to the rear of the storeroom at the south of Pinjarra Court House. In 1998 it was announced that Pinjarra Court House would close, with Mandurah Court House taking over all functions. This announcement was unpopular with the local community. Concerns were also raised were that the Court House serviced Dwellingup, and that community would be disadvantaged if services were moved to Mandurah. After several public meetings it was agreed to keep Pinjarra Court House open for at least another year. However, in 2002, the Court House was again reviewed by the Ministry for Justice, and it was again announced that it would close. Despite efforts by the Shire and the local community, in January 2003, Pinjarra Court House ceased to operate as a Magistrate’s Court and its functions were transferred to Mandurah. In 2005 the State Government contributed $200,000 towards refurbishment of the Court House. In 2006, ownership of the place was transferred to the National Trust. In 2009, the Shire of Murray entered into a leasing arrangement over five years, with the option of a further five years. In 2010 Ranger Services and the Community Emergency Services Coordinator were based in the building.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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