Local Government
Meekatharra
Region
Midwest
Berongarra-Mt Gould Rd Mount Gould
100M North of Meekatharra
Meekatharra
Midwest
Constructed from 1888
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - To be assessed | Current | 09 May 2003 |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Register of the National Estate | Indicative Place | |||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 05 Jul 1982 | ||
| Register of the National Estate | Nominated | 23 Dec 1982 | ||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 21 Sep 2013 | Category B | |
The place is a good example of a simple stone building in the Victorian Georgian style located in a picturesque setting.
The place is an example of a remotely located lock up constructed to protect European pastoralists from so called Aboriginal attacks.
The place appears to be a rare example of a police station and lock up complex in the area, which dates from this period.
The use of stone and simple Victorian Georgian style of the place is typical of this era.
The site comprises a police station and residence, lock up, wind mill, stone water trough and 2 CGI water tanks. The police station is a square stone building with two chimneys and a hipped CGI roof which extends to cover surrounding verandahs. These verandahs are supported by busk timber posts with bush timber rafters, part of the verandahs have been enclosed. External walls are limewashed and the timber framed windows have shutters. The lock up is a small, square stone building located to the rear of the police station. It has a CGI roof and the building itself only had one room only. The verandah is located on all four sides and has bush timber posts. Window openings have metal grills.
The first pastoralist families who took up land in the Iriwn, Greenough and Bowes River areas were the Burgesses and the Browns among others. Sheep in particular proved a popular stock and were run on the land in this area. In the 1860s and 1870s more pastoralists took up land in the river country and the small shepherd’s huts were eventually replaced by larger homesteads. The Mt Gould Police Station and Lock Up is believed to have been established at the instigation of pastoralists in the area in an effort to have a permanent police force on hand for immediate action against sheep spearing and stealing by local Aboriginal people. The place was built in c. 1880 on Berringarra Station, which owned by brothers Len and Everard Darlot Brothers. From this lock up, prisoners were taken to Carnarvon for trial in neck chains by the mounted police stationed at Mt Gould. Those found guilty were sent to Rottnest Island. It is not known to what uses the place was put subsequent to its closure. Both buildings were re-roofed during recent restoration works.
Integrity- Low Authenticity- Moderate
Sound
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Police Station or Quarters |
| Present Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Gaol |
| Style |
|---|
| Victorian Georgian |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | STONE | Other Stone |
| Roof | METAL | Other Metal |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Law & order |
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.