Donnybrook Post Office

Author

Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup

Place Number

00727

Location

54 South Western Hwy Donnybrook

Location Details

Lot 32

Local Government

Donnybrook-Balingup

Region

South West

Construction Date

Constructed from 1898, Constructed from 1950

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
State Register Registered 02 Sep 1997 HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 27 Nov 2013 Category 1
Statewide Post Office Survey Completed 01 Mar 1992

Statement of Significance

Donnybrook Post Office is a very fine example of a purpose built post office in the Federation Free style and is a landmark in the town centre of Donnybrook. This building has been and continues to be an important part of the life of the community and is an integral part of Donnybrook's past and present mail service and communications. Donnybrook Post Office is comparatively rare as it retains its original roofscape complete with functional ceiling vents flumes & cowls which was a common feature of post offices constructed 1890s to circa 1930.

Physical Description

Donnybrook Post Office is a single-storey red brick building with a hipped corrugated iron roof in the Federation Free Classical style. Contrast is provided by wide bands of painted render. The front facade is symmetrical and is divided into three bays. The central bay projects forward and is parapeted with a plain pediment. This bay has a central arched window with a narrow window on either side. The words "DONNYBROOK POST OFFICE" are painted over the windows. The bays on either side each contain a rendered entrance arch with a keystone. The left hand arch has been filled in with a window. The roof has a wide eaves lines with timber battens. At the left side an additional bay provides an asymmetrical element to the facade. The main roof has a vent in a Dutch gable.

History

From 1877, Preston Post Office operated from the police station at Minninup, as the district was then known. In October 1894, the townsite of Donnybrook was gazetted. In 1895-96, the local Progress Association requested a new school and post and telegraph offices be built in the vicinity of the railway station. The Public Works Department prepared plans for a post and telegraph building similar to those erected at Dardanup, Harvey and Brunswick, and tenders were called in April 1897. In August, Hough and Donald, of Busselton, were awarded the contract at a cost of £596.18s., and they completed the building on the reserve across the road from the railway station in December. On 13 January 1898, it opened as Donnybrook Post and Telegraph Office, in charge of Miss Mason. In 1912, W. T. Deeble, of Pinjarra, built additions, that included a telephone exchange, at a cost of £1,136.0s.3d. In the post-World War II period, of farming and fruit growing in the district expanded and consequently the volume of postal business increased necessitating enlargement of the Post Office. In 1952, Frank Chappell, of Claremont, completed alterations and additions that included a lunch room, a retiring room, relocation of the telephone exchange, additional post boxes, addition of a room for a technician, and a new toilet block at a cost of £5,617.10s.8d. In 1992-94, some outbuildings were demolished. Since Donnybrook Post Office was sold into private ownership in 1994, the place has continued to serve the postal needs of the Donnybrook community.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: high, still used for its original and intended purpose of Post Office. Authenticity: moderate to high. A large part of the external fabric is original, although internal modifications are substantial.

Condition

Good

Associations

Name Type Year From Year To
George Temple Poole Architect - -

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Assessment Document, Donnybrook Post Office, RHP 00727
Oldham, Ray and John George Temple Poole: Architect of the Golden Years 1885-1897, University of Western Australia Press, Nedlands 1980
A.C. Frost "Green and Gold" 1976
Bunbury Herald 23 July, 26 Oct. 1897, & 8 Jan 1898

Other Reference Numbers

Ref Number Description
29 Municipal Inventory

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use Transport\Communications Comms: Post or Telegraph Office
Original Use Transport\Communications Comms: Post or Telegraph Office

Architectural Styles

Style
Federation Free Classical

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall BRICK Common Brick
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron

Historic Themes

General Specific
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS Telecommunications
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY Settlements
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS Mail services

Creation Date

29 Aug 1988

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

20 Nov 2020

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.