Hyden Memorial Hall & Memorial Rose Garden

Parent Place or Precinct

10929 Hyden Townsite

Statement of Significance

The place demonstrates a way of life no longer practiced, and ways of life that are still practiced. It demonstrates significant associations with identities of Hyden, and the unique co-operation which typifies the place. It represents a considerable construction for the period and is an essential place in the streetscape and townscape character of Hyden. The hall evokes a sense of place for generations of Hyden settlers.

Physical Description

The red face brick structure has a corrugated iron gable roof which has been clad over with decramastic tiles. The front facade is symmetrical about the hall proper and extends on the south to link with the front wall of the CWA building. The stepped parapet steps down to the CWA. The hall proper has a central double entry which is flanked by a set of two windows each side. A flat concrete roof coverers the entry and forms an "eyebrow" over the windows. The roof is supported by brick piers with small columns. The facade has been rendered to window sill height. Wandoo floor, Hyden bricks for the interior walls. Inferior Japanese roof iron which was painted sheet by sheet on both sides prior to laying on the roof.

History

With the establishment of the town in 1933, and the subsequent lapse of the Progress Association, it wasn't until 1946, after the reformation of the Progress Association, that moves were made to establish a hall in Hyden. At a meeting on 18 December, the first motion proposing a brick hall costing £2500-3000 was lost, but a Hyden Hall Fund was established and a committee elected. The committee comprised; PJ Lynch, E Thompson, F Duns and R Clayton. In 1947 the hall committee decided on a formula for fund raising; a voluntary levy on the wheat and wool yield. In 1948 TA Lynch donated the block of land and it was vested in the Roads Board, and an Honour Board was instigated to honour those who served their country. Various plans and specifications were considered for the hall, and materials were short with post war restrictions. An architect from Millars, Mr W Ellix, was involved in the project until his death in 1951 when Harry Schofield, a Narrogin PWD Building Inspector took over as the architectural supervisor. The hall committee arranged for 100,000 bricks to be made. A local brick making venture was instigated and Hesketh and Co from Perth came to make the bricks on Jack Hynes block where suitable mud was located. The brick-makers camped near the kiln. S Zinkler was the contractor, for the bricks, and the exterior bricks were purchased from Perth and carted by Byron Collard. The first 40,000 bricks were made by 18 July 1949. By September 1949, the Kondinin Roads Board was reluctant to erect the hail in Hyden, and the committee, after receiving advice, registered as an incorporated body, and took full responsibility for the hall's construction. Some difficulty was experienced in obtaining a builder for the project, and it was decided to subcontract the construction which could not be undertaken by local volunteers. The community of Hyden were involved in the construction process of the hall, from accommodating out of town workers, to cutting and carting wood for the brick kiln fire, to attending meetings, catering for meetings, subscribing to loans or participating in fundraising schemes, it was a total community effort. Midway through 1952 the construction of the hall was commenced. 35 men used 75 tons of foundation materials to pour the hall footings in 12 hours. The soft Hyden bricks proved inadequate for the external walls and bricks were purchased from Midland Brick. The internal soft bricks proved to provide very good acoustic qualities in the hall. The only contracted labour was the laying of 100,000 bricks and that was commenced in October 1952. A foundation stone was laid, and there was subsequent controversy with regard to the wording on the stone. After the hall was completed, P Lynch made a cardboard plan for the supper room which links the hall and the then existing CWA rooms. The hall floor and roof extended the 20 feet to meet the CWA which houses the kitchen facilities. The building was completed in April 1953, and was officially opened by Sir Charles Gairdner on 12 May 1953 with a debutante ball attended by 650 people, during which the lights failed. Some discussion about who was invited to the first sitting for supper. The bank agency conducted business in the hall cloak room when visiting Hyden. This regular visit coincided with the Doctor's visit at the CWA. Later the Doctor held consultations in the Hall as his use of the CWA rooms occurred at the same time as the CWA meetings.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact/redeemable Authenticity: medium degree

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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