Convict Fence

Author

Heritage Council

Place Number

04609

Location

River between Salter Pnt & Shelley Bridge Canning

Location Details

Local Government

Canning

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1892, Constructed from 1866

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 18 Sep 2018
State Register Registered 12 Dec 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 17 Oct 2017 1

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
1798 The convict built fence in the Canning River. Journal article 1979
6426 A preliminary study of convict sites in Western Australia (draft). Heritage Study {Other} 1997

Place Type

Historic site

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use Transport\Communications Water: Other
Present Use Transport\Communications Water: Other

Architectural Styles

Style
Other Style

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall TIMBER Log

Historic Themes

General Specific
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY Workers {incl. Aboriginal, convict}
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS River & sea transport
OCCUPATIONS Timber industry

Creation Date

17 Jun 1996

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

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.

Author

City of Canning

Construction Date

Constructed from 1866, Constructed from 1897

Demolition Year

N/A

Statement of Significance

Convict Fence, a timber post fence in the Canning River, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: - it is believed to be part of a series of fence posts that were originally constructed by convict labour in 1866 to keep in place the navigation channel which had been excavated in shallow parts of the river to enable timber to be transported down the river from Masons Landing to Fremantle by barge; - it is a remnant of the convict era in Western Australia; and, - it is a reminder of the early timber industry and river transportation system.

Physical Description

The Convict Fence is located in the Canning River, between Salter Point and Shelley Bridge. The remnants of the fence are clearly visible from Centenary Avenue and Shelley Bridge, as well as from Riverton Drive in Shelley and Rossmoyne, and from the river edge near Clontarf and Watersford. A line of jarrah poles protruding above the water level indicates the position and line of Convict Fence. It was designed to prevent the dredged channel on its northern side from silting up.

History

The history of the Convict Fence is very closely linked with the development of the Canning Districts. The early 1860s saw the establishment of a timber industry on the banks of the Canning, and this development led to special attention being given to the navigability of the river. Between Salter’s Point and Mason's Landing the river was very shallow, especially in summer; barges carrying timber for export frequently got stuck on the sand banks and failed to connect with the steam tugs which were waiting to take them in tow at Mt Henry where the water was deeper. Letters from published in newspapers of the time from George Randell and Benjamin Mason, proprietors of the Mason Timber Company set out the difficulties of shipping their timber along the Canning River, and request that the Government take steps to ensure the River was navigable throughout the year. Works were carried out in 1866 and according to correspondence from Mason and Randell to the Colonial Secretary it is evident that a convict party had erected stakes in the stretch of the River from Muddy Reach to the oyster beds at least, and that the oyster beds section had also been wattled. In 1869 Mason and Randell were complaining about the state of navigation on the river as the existing fence had fallen into disrepair and needed attention. The Government decided against using convict labour to perform the repair work, and instead called for tenders. Mason and Randell won the tender for the work, which included completing the staking and wattling already commenced in Muddy Reach ‘to the point shown us by the Clerk of Works, about one mile in length to agitate the mud to form a channel along the same to a depth of one foot by means of the steamer. To repair the breaches in the banks of canal at the oyster beds, and continue the staking and wattling down to Watts Point for the Sum of Two Hundred Fifty Pounds’ (CSO, 1869, Public Works). Floods seriously damaged the wattling in the fence at Muddy Reach in 1872 and convicts were despatched to deepen and widen the canals, repair the several gaps in the wattle fencing; and alter the direction of the fencing at the head of Muddy Reach as will be pointed out to you, and extend the fencing at the lower end of the Muddy Reach giving more room to enter the channel (CR 10/12/1872: C 9). Although the channel was probably built originally with convict labour in 1866, it became necessary to maintain and repair it on a regular basis. Tenders for maintenance of the Canning River Channel Improvements were called in 1868, 1869 and 1874. Further repairs were undertaken in 1887-1888 and again by the Public Works Department in 1892-1897. It was during this latter period that the dredge Black Swan, using prison labour, opened out a channel for over 2 kilometres to a depth of 1.2 metres at low water. The channel was wattled and staked throughout the greater part of its length to assist against filling up. It allowed the largest, locally employed barges, when laden, to pass up the Canning River as far as was required to satisfy the needs of any industries established on the banks.

Integrity/Authenticity

The fence no longer serves the purpose for which it was built. However, the spacing of the remaining posts gives a good indication of the way in which the fence was structured.

Condition

Vunerable given it is difficult to maintain

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
D Hutchison & D Davidson; "The Convict Built Fence". WA Museum 1979
McDonald & Cooper "The Gosnells Story" City of Gosnells 1988

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

25 Sep 2019

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.

Author

National Trust of Western Australia

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statement of Significance

This fence – the remains of the only known one of its kind, is considered significant because of its historical and social importance. After reading the attached copies of newspaper clipplngs, it is surprising that there is still any evidence of its existence. AT the foot of Violet St, Shelley, on the “Convict Fence” there was the hull of a barque called the “Python” (105 ft x 26.25 ft x x8.92 ft built of wood). It was blown up in recent years as it was considered a boating hazard. The Mason & Bird timber enterprise was a significant one in the colonial days and of major significance to the history of the Canning and Kalamunda Districts. Mason conceived the idea of employing convict labour to dredge a channel in the shallow section. The barrier fence of mixed origins – and reconstructed at different times, was about 1km long and extended from Zenith Point to Fifth Avenue in Shelley. It was built to hold back the silt and encourage the current to keep on scouring out the channel. The barges were propelled by manpower and so a dual purpose of the fence was to aid poling, particularly at low tide. CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT Below low water line the timber is well preserved and apparently hand hewn axe marks are clearly visible. The barrier-fence no known as the ‘convict fence’ is reported to have been constructed of jarrah poles backed by Casuarina trees felled on the nearby banks. The tops of the sunken piles were linked by a 10 cm x 10 cm planking. The distinctive landscape feature is one of the few remaining relics of the convict and timber industry days in the metropolitan area. Social importance: is that of all old sites for their respective communities. It is a unique structure – of pioneer civil engineering. Historical Importance: is its use in the early establishment of the timber industry of Western Australia. It is of tourist importance – and tourist driving around the scenic foreshore of the Canning River are shown the few remaining remnants of Mason & Bird Timber Company established in the early 1860s. Comment: it may be a recreational hazard to pleasure boats and need sign posting for more public awareness of the problem. This fence contains excellent examples of aged jarrah timber poles – clearly visible from the foreshore particularly at low tide – and from viewing these it is easy to imagine the fence’s original function. The history of the Canning River Fence was found to be closely linked with the development of the Canning district. The early 1860s saw the establishment of a timber station on the banks of the Canning River at Mason’s landing from where the pit-sawn timber was transported down stream to Perth or Fremantle. This development led to special attention being given to the navigability of the very shallow (especially in summer) river. The barrier-fence was built to hold back mud and silt to form a deeper channel. Its dual purpose was for poling the flat-bottomed timber barges up and down the river. In addition, immense labours must have gone into the construction of the primitive wooden tramway track hacked through heavily-wooded bushland, which came down the somewhat perilous descent of the Darling Range Escarpment. This was only the second railway line built in Western Australia (the gauge was 3 feet) and was 14 k long, of which half was over the flat plain from the foothills to Mason’s landing. The opening of the line in 1872 was described in contemporary newspaper accounts as one of the most important days in the history of the Canning and Kalamunda Districts. Original piles of the fence in the river have been retained – although recently a large number (approximately 19) were pulled up by the Department of Marine and Harbours , because they were considered a recreational hazard. The fence is of paramount value as it is unique and is a landmark of the Canning District.

Physical Description

A long row of piles in sections of the Canning River - part of a barrier fence built to hold back the mud from the channel and also used to pole the shallow-draught timber barges up and down the river in the days of Mason & Bird Timber Company dating from the 1860's

History

Assessment 1990 Dating approx 1860's (?)

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

11 Oct 2021

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.

Canning Town Hall

Author

Heritage Council

Place Number

00431

Location

1309 Albany Hwy Cannington

Location Details

Lot 16, Diagram D93575

Local Government

Canning

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1909 to 1926

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 18 Sep 2018
State Register Registered 23 May 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 17 Oct 2017 1
Classified by the National Trust Classified 08 Jun 1998

Associations

Name Type Year From Year To
H. Jeffries Architect - -

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
6539 Canning Town Hall cnr Albany Highway & George St. Cannington : conservation plan. Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} 2000

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use GOVERNMENTAL Town, Shire or District Hall
Original Use GOVERNMENTAL Town, Shire or District Hall

Architectural Styles

Style
Federation Warehouse

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron
Wall BRICK Rendered Brick
Wall BRICK Common Brick

Historic Themes

General Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Community services & utilities

Creation Date

27 Jul 1988

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

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.

Author

City of Canning

Construction Date

Constructed from 1909, Constructed from 1973

Demolition Year

N/A

Parent Place or Precinct

11932 Canning City Council Administration Centre

Statement of Significance

Canning Town Hall, a two-storey public building with a hall and stage to the rear, built in brick with a painted render finish, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place is highly valued by the local community for its use as a major civic building representing the history and development of the Canning area; It has landmark qualities that contribute towards the community’s sense of place; and, The place has been an important community focal point for civic and social activities, and was used as a cinema for many years.

Physical Description

Canning Town Hall is an Inter-war classical style building located at the corner of George Street and Albany Highway, Cannington. The Canning Town Hall building comprises the original hall constructed in 1909, the extension on the northern side of the building constructed in 1926, the eastern wing of former offices constructed in 1955 and various additions including the brick covered way along the eastern side probably constructed in 1972, and the toilet block on the western side of the hall constructed in 1996. The different elements of the building are visually diverse and comprise a range of architectural styles and materials. The walls however are all of brick and the whole building has been painted white, which gives a more unified appearance.

History

Canning Town Hall comprises a hall and offices, which was built as a town hall and administrative centre for the Queens Park Municipality, later the City of Canning. It was constructed in 1909 following a period of controversy regarding its proposed location. The site finally chosen on the comer of Albany Road and George Street being purchased by the Queens Park Council from a J.H. Woods for 100 pounds. A tender of £597-10-3 was accepted from builder J McCracken, and the architect, H Jefferies, was appointed to oversee the project. Minor alterations took place over the next few years. The front doors were painted in 1911 and a small notice board installed nearby. An honour roll was installed inside the Hall in 1915 and approval for the erection of a flagpole was granted in 1917. The hall was used for various activities including social functions, dances, concerts first aid classes to name but a few. A change in the use of the Hall, which presaged a much longer history, was proposed in 1920 when the managers of the Lyceum Theatre, Mount Lawley, wrote to the Council, with an offer to rent the Hall as a picture theatre. On 25 July 1921 the Council voted to allow the Hall to be let one night a week as a cinema, for a period of six months with an option to renew. In the same year a memorial to fallen soldiers was erected in front of the hall and a chain fence with a turnstile was erected to replace the original picket fence. In 1948 the memorial arch was relocated to its present site and incorporated with memorial rose gardens as memorial to both World Wars. In 1926 the hall was extended to include a public gallery with a new boardroom and additional office space. A new brick section was constructed at the front of the existing hall. The original part of the building was also upgraded including rewiring and structural work. In 1964 Council considered plans to remodel the Hall, and in 1965 accepted a tender to turn the Hall into offices for the Council, before it took up space in its new Administrative Centre, next door. In 1972, the Council decided to convert the Hall into a community hall and Senior Citizens Centre, and renovations took place the following year. In 2015 the Hall was available for hire for special events such as weddings; and also seminars, workshops and theatrical productions. The Town Hall was largely surrounded by market gardens up until the 1950s. This changed dramatically with the intensification of Albany Highway and its transformation into a commercial strip and with the purchase of 17.75 acres of adjacent land for the purpose of constructing a new Council Administration Centre.

Integrity/Authenticity

High: the building is still being used for community purposes. Alterations: Significant alterations and additions 1926, 1955 and 1973. Intactness of fabric: Evidence of change throughout the history of the building. Original (1909) building materials not intact.

Condition

Very good: well maintained

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
"Queens Park Municipal Council and Canning District Road Board Minute Books". Riverton Library Local History Collection
F.G. Carden; "Along the Canning, A History of the City of Canning". 2nd Edition City of Canning 1991
"The West Australian". 28/6/1972

Titles and Owners

Reserve Lot/Location Plan/Diagram Vol/Folio
16 93575 2115-150
Owner Category
City of Canning Local Gov't

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

19 Sep 2018

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.

Author

National Trust of Western Australia

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statement of Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Canning Town Hall, a two-storey public building with a hall and stage to the rear, built in brick with a painted render finish, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: *the place is highly valued by the local community for its use as a major civic building representing the history and development of the Canning area; *it has landmark qualities that contribute towards the community's sense of place; * the place has been an important community focal point for civic and social activities, and was used as a cinema for many years. AESTHETIC VALUE Canning Town Hall has aesthetic value in the fact that it is a good example of simple country building at the turn of the century. It is an example of a public building from H. Jeffrie who was not influenced significantly by the common aesthetics demonstrated in Public Works Department public buildings that were being erected around the state at that time. It is a landmark building for the area. HISTORIC VALUE Canning Town Hall reflects a period of growth and development in the town's history. Canning Town Halt has been closely associated with key figures involved in Municipal activities in the town. SOCIAL VALUE Canning Town Hall is highly valued by the local community in its role as the principle public building associated with cultural and administrative activities in the town. Canning Town Hall has landmark qualities that contribute towards the community's sense of place. REPRESENTATIVENESS Canning Town Hall demonstrates the civic and community need for a meeting place for the community. It is representative of the social climate in which it was designed, and the leisure and entertainment pursuits for which it was subsequently adapted. The appearance of the building demonstrates the importance of the meeting place when compared with domestic style buildings. Canning Town Hall is in reasonable condition, but there is work being carried out on the north side to the rear entrance where demolition has taken place. Internally the building has had some alterations over the years and maintenance has been minimal but satisfactory to hold the building in reasonable condition.

Physical Description

This brick and iron building faces onto Albany Highway. It has a semi classical facade with simple plastered brick walls and central clear storey windows at high level. The plan of the building is basically a main hall with a stage to the rear and an upper gallery at the front. Offices are on either side of the central entry. To the left hand side below the upper balcony there is a small kitchen with service to the main hall. The entrance foyer has simple double doors with a staircase leading up to the balcony directly in front of the entrance doors. The whole of the building is painted a light off white colour. The rear of the stage area, originally timber frame and weather boarded, has now been faced with brick and repainted. The balcony is on two levels with steps to the left. The gallery access is 1.3m in width. Three wide steps lead to the main gallery level on the left hand side of the building. The right hand side of the building is enclosed. There is a small servery within the upper gallery which was a 1970s addition. The ceiling to the gallery level is spray on vermiculite finish onto the original plaster board ceiling. The main hall is two storeys high with a cathedral ceiling, lined with pressed metal mouldings. A later addition to the clear storey and sloping part of the cathedral ceiling has been relined with acoustic metal panelling. The floor is strip timber flooring running the length of the room. The stage at the far end is up five steps. The timber framed preceding arch door on either side is also lined with pressed metal moulding. The three lights in the centre of the room and lie rods across the building are dwarfed by the later addition of the evaporative cooling system in the room. The gallery access is three metres above the main hall floor. In the entrance foyer at the left hand side is a small pay kiosk for the cinema patrons. Access to the projection box is on the right hand side of the staircase at ground level. There are seven holes in the wall from the projection box to the main hall. The side wings to the stage are 2m wide, with a doorway to the rear of the stage on both sides and also emergency exits to the rear. There are gas heaters to the main hall. In addition to the right hand side of the main hall, the emergency exit has been removed in 1996. A 13m x 8m extension to the side has been built at a later date as a Senior Citizens Centre. The external elevation is simple red brick with concrete plinth and ply panelling four brick courses up the lintel above the ground floor windows. A simple lintel is at three courses height above the clear storey windows.

History

Assessment 1998 Construction: 1909 Architect: H.Jeffris Builder: J. McCracken Alterations/Additions: 1926 Canning Town Hall comprises a hall and offices, built as a town hall and administrative centre for the Queens Park Municipality, later the City of Canning. In 1908, the Queens Park Municipal Council was approached by a local resident, James Walsh, who was offering land for sale to the Council for the purpose of building a Town Hall. Several other residents also offered land, and it can be supposed from this that Queens Park, in line with other municipalities, had not had sufficient land set aside in crown reserves for municipal use when it had been formed. The Council voted, on 23 June 1908, to accept James Walsh's offer, only to rescind the decision two weeks later in favour of the rival offer of Tate's Hall. This decision set in train a number of rival offers which were eventually resolved on 16 February, 1909, by the acceptance of an offer by J.H. Woods. A special meeting of ratepayers was called to protest the decision but the Council remained adamant, and lenders for the proposed Town Hall and offices were called on 14 May 1909. A tender of £597-10-3 was accepted from builder J McCracken, and the architect, H. Jeffris, was appointed to oversee the project. The Mayor had also previously submitted plans and specification to the Council and it is not known how closely the final building reflected these initial thoughts. A dispute over the siting of the hall on the block was overcome and work commenced. The new Hall was to be lit by gas, as electricity had not yet come to the district. That a Town Hall was needed is evinced by the hiring of the hall to G. Shaw, who submitted his request even before the keys to the hall had been handed to the Mayor. Other requests soon followed, including one for a Juvenile and Industrial Exhibition. On another front, significant in the later history of the Hall, a letter was received from the Secretary for Health regarding the regulations for picture shows. H. Jeffris submitted his final certificate for the work to the Council on 25 November 1909. In the course of finally preparing the building for occupation some changes had been approved by the Council. The floors of the hall had been waxed, rather than oiled, and the lower sashes of the windows were to be frosted. Minor alteration took place over the next few years. The front doors were painted in 1911 and a small notice board installed nearby. An honour roll was installed inside the Hall in 1915 and approval for the erection of a flagpole was granted in 1917." In 1919 the Electric Light Committee recommended that the Hall be electrified, and after calling for tenders and receiving four, the offer of L.H. Deague was accepted.' A new gutter was fitted to the rear of the building in the same year and new doors were proposed for the rear of the Hall by Mr Knowles, who offered to replace them for the sum of £2-0-0 and the old doors. A change in the use of the Hall, which presaged a much longer history, was proposed in 1920 when the managers of the Lyceum Theatre, Mount Lawley, wrote to the Council, with an offer to rent the Hall as a picture theatre. On 25 July 1921 the Council voted to allow the Hall to be let one night a week as a cinema, for a period of six months with an option to renew. The proposed new purpose also involved the Council, as the Canning District Road Board, in constructing an operating box at the rear of the Hall. Tenders for the operating box were let on the 8 August 1921, and for exclusive rights to show pictures for three months in April 1922.' During this period a masonry arch and garden were constructed in the grounds of the hall as a war memorial to commemorate the dead of the Great War. Two years later, in 1924, the right to show pictures was granted to F. Hodges, who continued to do so until at least 1932, and possibly later.' Hodges installed a Bio, or operating, Box over the front door of the Hall, replacing the earlier one at the rear. In 1927, a fire in the box resulted in damage to five windows in the Hall. In the previous year, alterations to the building had included the construction of a public gallery, a new boardroom and more office space." Additional renovations took place in 1936 and 1937, and in 1939, Star Entertainments were given leave to renovate the Hall at their own expense.' In 1964 Council considered plans to remodel the Hall, and in 1965 accepted a tender to turn the Hall into offices for the Council, before it took up space in its new Administrative centre, just down the road.' In 1972, the Council decided to convert the Hall into a community hall and Senior Citizens Centre, and renovations took place the following year. The Hall continues to be used as a community venue, and in the 1970s was the site of competition in the Southern Suburbs Eistedfodds.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY Canning Town Hall has a basic integrity of the original building with its use as a community hall and its conversion to a community cinema. Later additions of ventilating systems, acoustic treatment and upstairs servery and bar additions detract from the original integrity. Externally the addition of the Senior Citizens Centre and connecting walkways to the rear south west side are so different and out of keeping with the original that they can be considered only as a useful addition of space to the original hall and of little heritage significance. AUTHENTICITY Canning Town Hall has moderate authenticity. The main construction of the hall and stage through the rear internally retains the form and detailing of the original with a special regard to the metal moulded ceiling to the stage area. In the main hall the form of the original hall is retained, but the alteration of the acoustics by the way of panelling and addition of ventilation system intrudes on the authenticity of the space. The floor and windows are the originals. The stage is a good example of the local community involvement and activities of the period.

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

25 Oct 2021

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.

Canning War Memorial

Author

Heritage Council

Place Number

00432

Location

Cnr Albany Hwy & Manning Rd Cannington

Location Details

Lot 4013, Plan P192402

Other Name(s)

WW1 & WW2

Local Government

Canning

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1921 to 1956

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 18 Sep 2018
State Register Registered 23 May 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
Statewide War Memorial Survey Completed 01 May 1996
Classified by the National Trust Classified {HBS}
Municipal Inventory Adopted 17 Oct 2017 1
Municipal Inventory Adopted 08 Aug 1995 1

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
6606 Register of historic burial sites as at June 1988. Report 1988

Place Type

Other Built Type

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use MONUMENT\CEMETERY Monument
Present Use MONUMENT\CEMETERY Monument

Architectural Styles

Style
Other Style

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Other STONE Marble
Wall STONE Donnybrook Sandstone

Historic Themes

General Specific
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES World Wars & other wars

Creation Date

30 May 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

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.

Author

National Trust of Western Australia

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statement of Significance

This site is dedicated to the remembrance of Canning residents who gave their lives during both Wars. Historic: A piece of Canning history Educational: Showing the new generation the loss of young lives in war. Representativeness: Magnificent construction of Donnybrook stone in the form of an Archway erected in the 1920's.

History

Assessment 1993 (1919) 1-9: Returned Soldiers Association wrote to Board re: erection of memorial to fallen soldiers of Canning (1919) 29-9: Committee collection information on memorials. (1920) 9-1: Public Meeting held at Town Hall (1920) Miss W. Woodhouse; Miss L. Wilson: Miss Corhey given free use of Town Hall four times for “Fallen Soldiers Memorial Fund”. (1921): Foundation stone laid on the 5 Feb 1921 by Sir Francis A. Newgate K.C.M.G. Upon its completion a plaque was attached. It bore the inscription: “This Memorial was erected by the residents of Queens Park Rds District To the memory of those soldiers of the district who fell during the War 1914 – 1919.” At that stage there were machine guns at top of the Memorial which were removed in war time, 1940. As the Town Hall was extended and used as a picture theatre, the Arch suffered minor damage from vandals. The structure lost its dignity. (1948): A Committee was formed from the Canning-Welshpool branches of the R.S.L. Also representatives of the C.R.B. The Arch was dismantled and re-erected on the corner of Albany Highway and Fremantle Road, now Manning Road. Finance for the removal was raised by donations to the “War Memorial Fund”. The erection of the Arch was undertaken by Mr H.A. Hicks (stonemason). At least two tons of car bodies plus pieces of Shephards Garage plus two tons of Australian cement were used as Reinforcement. Rose gardens and lanns finish it off. The ashes of returned service men have been placed in the area to the front of the memorial, never to be disturbed. The Memorial is now to the Fallen of two World Wars.

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

11 Oct 2021

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.

Author

City of Canning

Construction Date

Constructed from 1921, Constructed from 1956

Demolition Year

N/A

Statement of Significance

Canning War Memorial, a white painted, freestanding masonry memorial arch and matching stone panel in a formal garden setting, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: it is a symbol of national mourning for those who lost their lives in World Wars One and Two; the memorial is a means of identifying the men and women from the Canning district in alphabetical order; and, the place is located on a predominant point between two major roads opposite the Canning Town Hall (this present site was used for the erection of a memorial in 1956 to replace the original siting outside the Canning Town Hall from 1921. This was due to road realignment). The memorial is important at a local level in that it is the only means of identifying the men from the district who served in WWI and WWII, (officilal records are only arranged by name or service unit, rather than home town or place of enlistment). The fact that the names on the memorial are recorded in alphabetical order and are non-hierarchical in that the rank of the men is not identified, can be interpreted as symbolic of a national egalitarian and democratic ethos. The modest scale of the Canning War Memorial reflects the aspirations, size and degree of propsperity of the local community. While not outstanding for its creative or artistic achievement, the memorial was completely constructed and thoughtfully designed, both in its original form, subsequent relocation and in its later additions of new elements. The arch is not uncommon in the design of memorials and takes a variety of forms, however the design of the Canning War Memorial is probably unusual in the Western Australian context. All war memorials are both representative, because of their symbollic function and unique because of their local community associations and settings. The memorial has importance for social values; it is valued by the community in general as exemplified by the high standard of maintenance of the memorial itself adn the surrounding garden setting and by the district's RSL sub-branches. It is significant as a community shrine and the site of the traditional ANZAC Day and Armistice Day commemorative services.

Physical Description

Canning War Memorial comprises a Donnybrook stone arch in a formal garden setting, on a reserve near the intersection of Manning Road and Albany Highway. The stonework is now painted white which conceals the craftsmanship of the masonry work. The two machine guns, which adorned the memorial, were removed in 1940 and were not replaced. The memorial is laid out in a symmetrical arrangement with the arch and flagpole aligned at either end of a central access with garden beds on either side. Lawn areas with crossed garden beds of roses are symmetrically placed, together with informal plantings of trees. The modest scale of the Canning War Memorial reflects the aspirations, size and degree of prosperity of the local community at the time. While not outstanding for its creative or artistic achievement, the memorial was competently constructed and thoughtfully designed, both in its original form, subsequent relocation and in the later addition of new elements. The names of men killed in action during World War One are inscribed on two marble tablets mounted on either side of the arch. In addition to the original arch, the memorial includes a matching stone panel bearing the names of the men killed in World War Two and a plaque commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Remembrance Day, 11 November 1993. A time capsule was buried behind the Arch in 2000 by the City of Canning.

History

From the Queen's Park district it was reported that 230 men enlisted inactive service in the great war and of that number 43 were killed on the battlefield or died of wounds or disease. In 1921, in line with similar moves by local government and community associations throughout Australia, it was decided to commemorate the sacrifice of the men who had died at war by the erection of a permanent memorial. The site for the memorial was to be outside the then Canning Town Hall. The memorial was in the form of a monumental arch, which was unveiled on Monday 25 April 1921 by the then Minister for Works (Mr W. J. George). A report in the West Australian dated, Tuesday 26 April 1921 (p.5) set out 'The arch, which is of Tudor design and composed of Donnybrook stone occupies a fine site at the corner of Albany Road and George Street, immediately in front of the local town hall, and both names of the fallen soldiers are inscribed on marble tablets as insets to the supporting columns.’ In his address the Minister for works said that only the day before he had laid the foundation stone of a monument at Gosnells, another part of the then Canning district. The Town Hall was extended for use as a venue for movies in 1926. The changing use of the place led to dissatisfaction with the site as an appropriate venue for the memorial. In 1948, after World War Two, it was felt that a more appropriate site should be found. A triangular portion of land on the corner of Albany Highway and Manning Road was purchased for that purpose by the Canning Road Board for £150. Local RSL branches undertook special drives and sought donations to raise money to relocate the structure and to beautify the parkland. The memorial arch was disassembled by local volunteers in 1956 and transferred to its present location. The move and reconstruction was overseen by local stonemason, A.H Hicks. In 1993, a plaque commemorating the 75th anniversary of Remembrance Day, 11 November, was added to Canning War Memorial is the site of local Anzac Day and Armistice Day celebrations, and the ashes of some servicemen have been buried on the site.

Integrity/Authenticity

High. Alterations: Relocation on a new site and the addition of new features to commemorate WWII and Armistice Day, have been made in a sympathetic manner. The stonework is painted which which detracts from the appearance of the memorial and conceals the craftsmanship of the masonry work. The two machine guns were removed in 1940 and were not replaced. The honour board remained in the hall following the re-location of the memorial; its present location is within the local RS&L club building in Wharf St, Cannington. The ashes of former servicemen are buried at the memorial site.

Condition

Good: well maintained

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
National Trust of Australia assesment forms 2/2/1993
Index to Local Government minutes. Riverton Local History Library
J McKay and R Allom; "Lest We Forget". RSL of Australia Qld branch 1984
Riverton Local History Library
FG Carden; "Along the Canning River". pp162-164 1991

Titles and Owners

Reserve Lot/Location Plan/Diagram Vol/Folio
4013 192402 LR3106-87
Owner Category
City of Canning Local Gov't

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

19 Sep 2018

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.

Woodloes Homestead

Author

Heritage Council

Place Number

00433

Location

39 Woodloes St Cannington

Location Details

Lot 808, Plan P39692

Local Government

Canning

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1871

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 18 Sep 2018
State Register Registered 21 Jan 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
Classified by the National Trust Classified 15 Oct 1988
Register of the National Estate Nominated 17 May 1991
Register of the National Estate Indicative Place
Municipal Inventory Adopted 17 Oct 2017 1

Associations

Name Type Year From Year To
Bird, Francis Architect - -

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
11358 Cast iron pillar boxes of Western Australia: An early history of the J & E Ledger foundry Book 2015
4870 Woodloes Homestead, Cannington : conservation plan. Heritage Study {Other} 1993
2322 The Mason and Bird Timber Company 1862 to 1882. Book 1978

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use EDUCATIONAL Museum
Original Use FARMING\PASTORAL Homestead

Architectural Styles

Style
Victorian Georgian

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Roof TIMBER Shingle
Wall STONE Limestone

Historic Themes

General Specific
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY Settlements
OCCUPATIONS Timber industry
PEOPLE Early settlers

Creation Date

27 Jul 1988

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

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.

Author

City of Canning

Construction Date

Constructed from 1871

Demolition Year

N/A

Statement of Significance

Woodloes Homestead, a Victorian Georgian home with shingled roof, an attic, and verandahs to four sides, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: it is a rare example of an early architect designed house south of the Swan River in the Perth area; the original owner (and architect), Francis Bird, was a key figure in the development of the Western Australian timber industry, and one of the largest employers in Western Australia; the place maintains a connection with the Canning River that is currently uninterrupted (except for a recent security fence) and is thus almost unchanged from the original relationship; the quality of timber workmanship is exemplary; the place is a rare example of the type of dwelling constructed by wealthy Western Australian families in the Victorian era, largely intact, with sufficient information being available to allow appropriate conservation work to be undertaken; the house sits on a site that was part of a much larger plot containing a landing stage crucial to the development of the Mason Bird timber industry, providing river transport to Perth and Fremantle prior to the advent of rail transport, an historical connection that was important in the development of the locality; and, the relatively rare bunya bunya pine (a local landmark), the fig tree and two olive trees amongst the other historic, mature trees identified as a collection, are important for their contribution to the aesthetic values of the property and the setting of the house and are representative of exotic species that were popularly planted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Western Australia. The shed, gazebo, blacksmith shop, water tank and reconstructed church are considered to be intrusive and do not possess cultural heritage significance.

Physical Description

The building is a square plan Victorian Georgian homestead consisting of six rooms at ground floor, an attic room and a cellar. The building is typical of homesteads of the period with a central passage and rooms on either side. The building has steeply pitched she-oak shingle roof that is penetrated by two white painted brick chimneys and a small dormer window to the eastern pitch. The she-oak shingles were replaced by galvanized corrugated iron in Dec 2018/Jan 2019. There are open verandahs to all four sides supported by timber posts. The verandah sits on limestone masonry dwarf walls and has timber boards. The construction is primarily rubble limestone with brick quoining around openings. Internally the building is largely original. There has been some change during the 1970s restoration, with the partial removal of the original lath and plaster ceilings and partial new timber floorboards. The décor is an interpretation of a Victorian period home. The homestead is located on a site adjacent to the Canning River. The landscaping and character of the site has been altered, however some remnants of the original plantings remain, including a mature Bunya Pine, which is considered to be a fine example of its type. The site currently contains a number of more recently acquired features, which are not original including a replica of the Congregational Church (also known as the Church with a Chimney) and a post box.

History

The history of Woodloes Homestead is entwined with that of Benjamin Mason and Francis Bird. The Mason Bird & Company was a prominent, albeit
short lived, business operation in the early Western Australian timber industry. After felling timber in the Darling Ranges the company would float the timber on flat bottomed barges down the Canning River to Mason’s Landing which existed a short distance upstream from Woodloes. Francis Bird arrived from England into Fremantle in October 1869. Upon arriving he invested in the Mason Bird & Co, which supplied the timber for much of the State’s early infrastructure including the timber for the roof of Perth Town Hall, Fremantle Lunatic Asylum (now Fremantle Arts Centre) and the Geraldton to Northampton Railway. 
 Following the liquidation of the Mason Bird & Company partnership on the 18 June 1873 it appears Francis Bird continued on his own for some years. Francis Bird, who was a trained architect, designed and built Woodloes Homestead in the early 1870s; some accounts place the date at 1874. 
 He named the house after one in which he lived for a portion of his early adulthood in England. 
Francis Bird married Augusta Maud Earnshaw in 1871. Seven of their fifteen children were born at Woodloes. Three children died at birth and at least one of these is believed to have been buried there. In 1882 Francis Bird sold Woodloes Homestead and became Chief Government Architect in 1883. In 1882 Woodloes was purchased by Joseph Shaw. The Homestead had nine owners between 1883 and 1974. The lot was subdivided from the original land holding several times and subsequently became much reduced to its current size. In 1974 it was purchased by the City of Canning with the intention of providing a venue for the Historical Society and establishing a museum. A schedule of repair works was prepared by D. Brearey, the Town of Canning Property Officer, dated 31st March 1976. The works were undertaken over a number of phases and were completed in 1978. These works included (but are not limited to) removing the iron sheet roofing and reinstating shingle roof cladding; defective paint and render was removed to better reveal the stonework; and Jarrah finishes were repaired and partly replaced including floors, skirtings, door thresholds and framing. Woodloes was opened to the public on the 5th June 1978. To the north-west of the site there is the Congregational Church (also known as the Church with a Chimney), which was rebuilt at Woodloes in the 1990s when Albany Highway was widened by 17 metres. Some materials from the original church were used in this reconstruction. The Church is managed by the Canning District Historical Society and hired out for functions.

Integrity/Authenticity

High: although it is now a museum, its original use as a residence remains evident Alterations: Various alterations including changes to the dormer windows, removal of interior walls, removal of a gable over the entrance and replacement of roof shingles with corrugated iron sheets occurred over the history of the building. However the building form has always remained substantially as originally constructed. Intactness of fabric: The building was restored in the 1970s with an extensive amount of reconstruction of elements due to the poor condition of the existing fabric. Some detailing is as original however some aspects of the building are not as originally constructed.

Condition

Good - well maintained

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
G MacDonald & W Cooper; "The Gosnells Story". City of Gosnells 1988
Kevin Palassis Architects; "Conservation Plan, Woodloes Homestead, Cannington". Prepared for the National 1993

Titles and Owners

Reserve Lot/Location Plan/Diagram Vol/Folio
808 P39692 2554/894
Owner Category
City of Canning Local Gov't

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

15 Sep 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.

Author

National Trust of Western Australia

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statement of Significance

Woodloes homestead holds considerable interest as it is the oldest existing home in Canning which is close to its original state. From 1841 this homestead has had many owners including Mrs Elizabeth D. Brockman (1900 - 1911); previous property owner Benjamin Mason (1860 - 1871) joined a following owner and architect Francis Bird to form a pioneer timber company. Francis Bird designed and built woodloes in 1871, becoming one of the few architect designed homes in the colony. Bird became first Chairman of Canning Board at 26 years old. The nearby Masons Landing is at the site of the original mill. Bird became Chief Government Architect in 1883 - 1884, and was later associated with "Strawberry Farm", Albany and Albany's Court House. Ticket of leave men were availed to assist in the building of Woodloes Homestead.

Physical Description

This simple, early colonial residential building of rendered masonry, with pit sawn timbers, some brick construction, 6 rooms plus kitchen, an attic and a cellar has been restored with extreme care. A shingle roof has replaced iron roofing as was the original. An outside bakers oven near the kitchen exists. The attic room is completely restored and the cellar where Ticket of Leave men were held, is restored to be used for displaying artifacts of the era. A blacksmiths shop and shed has been erected at the rear of the homestead. A Bunya Bunya Pine tree dated prior to 1900 stands in the front garden, under which one of the Bird's children is reputed to be buried.

History

Assessment 1988 Construction: c.1871 Original Owner: Francis Bird 1871/1882

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

20 Sep 2021

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.

Fmr Sikh Cemetery

Author

Heritage Council

Place Number

04612

Location

Bicentennial Adenia Reserve Ferndale

Location Details

Canning River Regional Park; Lot 921, Plan P240087

Other Name(s)

Cremation Site

Local Government

Canning

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1932

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 18 Sep 2018
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 08 Aug 1995 5
Municipal Inventory Adopted 17 Oct 2017 1

Place Type

Historic Site

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use MONUMENT\CEMETERY Cemetery
Present Use PARK\RESERVE Park\Reserve

Architectural Styles

Style
Other Style

Historic Themes

General Specific
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY Immigration, emigration & refugees
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Religion

Creation Date

18 Jun 1996

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

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.

Author

National Trust of Western Australia

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statement of Significance

Social importance is that of all burial grounds for their respective communities. Historically important because of the part Afghans played in the settlement of this state. The history of this dis-used site demonstrates the way of life, and customs of early pioneers - namely the Afghan people. The awareness of a Sikh (Afghan) Crematorium-cemetery in the metropolitan area makes us begin to understand the development of cultural phases in settling this large state.

Physical Description

The area is low lying and swampy. Afghans were reluctant to discuss details of their religious observances, but it was said that their cremations took place where there was running water alongside the funeral pyre. It was traditional to cast the ashes on the water – where the water was still. The ashes were lowered in an urn. The ashes were then buried in the earth where there was no water.

History

Assessment 1990 The Sikhs are a sect of reigious dissenters from Hinduism. They originated in the Punjab regions of India. They were mostly camel drivers - and these cameleers were really the lifeblood of the goldfields. The would come back to Perth to die, when possible. I In 1932 the site was vested in the names of Bulla Singh and Massa Singh for the purpose of a Sikh cemetery. n 1970 the spokesman for the Sikh community in Western Australia was Harbhajan Singh of Dianella.

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

11 Oct 2021

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.

Author

City of Canning

Construction Date

Constructed from 1932

Demolition Year

1977

Statement of Significance

The site is important for historic reasons because of its association with the religious rituals of the small Sikh communiyt of Western Australia. Cremation was not generally permitted in Western Australia until the passing of the Cremations Act 1929, although some cremations of people of 'Asiatic race', took place in country areas and at Woodman's Point Quarantine Station before that date and before the building of crematorium facilities at Karrakatta Cemetary in the late 1930's. The site therefore has importance as part of the broader history of cemetaries and religious pracitses associated with the disposal if the dead in Western Australia and is closely associated with the passing of the Cremations Act 1929 and the acceptance of cremation in the wider community. The site has social value for the Sikh community because of its religious associations and because it contributes to a recognition of the Sikh communiyt as a part of thr history of the state.

Physical Description

Fmr Sikh Cemetery is a small area of 0.2 hectares, formally a ‘C’ class reserve within the Bicentennial Adenia Reserve, located in Ferndale. The present public open space was modified as part of the redevelopment of the area in the late 1980s, as a result of minor earthworks and tree planting. A group of rocks record the site upon which a plaque is mounted. The stones are located approximately 62 metres within the park to the north-west of the Duff and Adenia Road intersection. The bronze plaque reads as follows: ‘Sikh Heritage Cremation Site – Adenia Recreation Reserve – In memory of the Sikh Pioneers who contributed towards the opening up and development of the south west, central and eastern goldfields regions of Western Australia. Sikh Association of WA Canning City Council Canning Districts Historical Society – 2nd November 1992. Plaque donated by Hazel and John Parker C.D.H.S stone donated by Readymix Gosnells Quarry.’

History

HISTORICAL INFORMATION Sikhs are known to have arrived in Western Australia in the early 19th century although it is probable that a greater number of them arrived during the second half of the century. Shiploads of camels were brought to Australia in the 1860s and, although their handlers were known as ‘Afghans’, there were Sikhs among them. Many early Sikh settlers worked as camel handlers, while others travelled around WA selling wares. The annulment of the White Australia Policy in 1973 saw increased opportunities for Sikh migration with Sikhs coming to Western Australia from India, the United Kingdom, east Africa, Singapore, Malaysia and Fiji. In Sikhism cremation is the usual method for disposal of remains regardless of the age of the deceased. A small C Class reserve occupying 0.2ha (0.5acres), was gazetted in 1932 as Reserve 20968 for the purpose of a Sikh cemetery after a dying Sikh man immolated himself, fearing that he would be buried. At the time the area was isolated and largely undeveloped with few residents living in the vicinity. An article in The Mirror newspaper provides detail of a cremation at the subject place in June 1934. The article reports that a big pyre was built with banksia logs to cremate a deceased Sikh man and that three days after the cremation the mourners would return to the burial ground to collect every particle of ash to throw into the Canning River. By 1898, the Sikh community was well established, although lacking recognition, both as a separate ethnic community, and as British citizens. The reserve was vested in two members of the Sikh community, Bulla and Massa Singh. In 1971, the Sikh community sought to have the vesting altered as neither Bulla or Massa were alive. They also sought to have the size of the reserve extended. The reserve was cancelled in 1977 and reverted to public open space. Landscaping and earthworks took place over the site in the late 1980s, when the Canning Regional Park was developed. In 2011, a plaque at the Sikh Cemetery in Ferndale was placed in-situ.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
National Trust Classification 2016
Richards; "Canning River Regional Park, Western Australia: Historical Survey". pp66, 67 & 72 City of Canning 1991

Titles and Owners

Reserve Lot/Location Plan/Diagram Vol/Folio
921 240087 3055/958
Owner Category
State of Western Australia State Gov't

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

19 Sep 2018

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.

The Chapel of the Guardian Angel

Author

Heritage Council

Place Number

04607

Location

190 Treasure Rd Queens Park

Location Details

Part of the Manguri Complex (Sister kate's); Lot 800 on DP 73648

Other Name(s)

Sister Kate's Children's Home Chapel (fmr)

Local Government

Canning

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1937

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 18 Sep 2018
State Register Registered 24 Apr 2003 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 17 Oct 2017 1

Parent Place or Precinct

05068 Sister Kate's Children's Home (fmr)

Associations

Name Type Year From Year To
Marshall Clifton & George Herbert Parry Architect - -

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
9469 Chapel of the Guardian Angel, Queen's Park conservation plan. Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} 2010
11706 Sister Kate's Children; "1934 to 1953 Aboriginal Corporation" Book 2017

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use RELIGIOUS Church, Cathedral or Chapel
Present Use RELIGIOUS Church, Cathedral or Chapel

Architectural Styles

Style
Inter-War Old English

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Roof TILE Cement Tile
Wall BRICK Common Brick

Historic Themes

General Specific
PEOPLE Aboriginal people
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Institutions

Creation Date

13 Jun 1996

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

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.

Author

City of Canning

Construction Date

Constructed from 1937

Demolition Year

0

Statement of Significance

The Chapel of the Guardian Angel, a small red brick church with a steeply pitched clay tile roof and a small steeple, designed in the Inter-War Old English style and located on the site of the cottage-based Aboriginal childcare facility formerly known as the Sister Kate’s Children’s Home has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: constructed in 1937, it was the Christian focus of Sister’s Kate’s Children's Home, founded for Aboriginal children in 1934 by Sister Katherine Mary Clutterbuck, (Sister Kate) and Miss Phoebe Ruth Lefroy. As such it was associated with the role of the Anglican sisters and with Aboriginal childcare services in Western Australia since that time; it is a highly intact, finely detailed and executed building in the Inter- War Old English style, designed by Marshall Clifton and George Herbert Parry, of the architectural firm Parry & Clifton; Sister Kate’s Children’s Home (fmr) with its driveway flanked by mature pines, areas featuring mature palms, the oak tree planted by Sister Kate and other mature introduced and indigenous trees, comprises a visually pleasing cultural environment. it is located on the site of the former Sister Kate’s Children’s Home and as such is valued by the general community for provision of childcare services, and by Aboriginal communities in particular as a home for Aboriginal children, including some children removed from their families under previous government policies; and, it is valued by a number of former residents of Sister Kate’s Children’s Home who continue to visit and care for the place.

Physical Description

The site of the Chapel is bounded by Treasure Road to the south, Hamilton Street to the north and Cross Street to the east, in Queens Park. Access to the property is via long driveways from either Cross Street or Treasure Road. The chapel is well setback from the street on an area of grass and surrounded by scattered trees. It is largely concealed by single storey blond brick and Colorbond units, which were constructed in 2010. The Chapel was constructed in 1937 in the Inter-War Old English style. It is a single storey face brick building, with a steeply pitched clay tile roof and a small steeple. There are terracotta vents. On the western end of the building there are a series of projecting bricks in the shape of a cross above a stone panel inscribed with the words, 'To the Glory of God May 10th 1937’. Windows are steel-framed and clear glazed with gothic arched heads.

History

Sister Kate's Childrens Home was established by Katherine Mary Clutterbuck (Sister Kate) in Queens Park in 1934. The home provided cottage style accommodation for children of part Aboriginal descent. Sister Kate was born in Wiltshire, England in 1860 and joined the Kilburn Sisters (Church of England sisterhood) who ran an orphanage in London in 1883. In 1901 she came to Australia with four other sisters and twenty-two orphans and in 1903 founded the Parkerville Childrens Home. Sister Kate's home in Queens Park was founded after Sister Kate retired from Parkerville at the age of seventy-two. In 1934 Sister Kate was awarded the OBE in recognition of her work with children. Sister Kate died in 1946. In June 1934, Sister Kate and Ruth Lefroy, with ten school-aged children, moved the home to a site on Railway Street (now Treasure Road), Queen’s Park where they had built, with the help of private supporters and fundraising, a six-roomed cottage named ‘Myola.’ In 1935, a kitchen and a second cottage, 'Friendly Cottage' were built on the site to accommodate smaller children. In 1937, fund-raising resulted in some landscaping around the chapel and the building of an internal road. The Chapel of the Guardian Angel was apparently a personal gift to Sister Kate from Jack Crossland who also donated the land to her. The chapel was also designed by architects Parry and Clifton.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good: well maintained

Associations

Name Type Year From Year To
Parry and Clifton Architect 1937 -

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Landscape Zones of Significance by Heritage and Conservation Professionals Landscape Plan 2010
The Chapel of the Guardian Angel Conservaton Plan by Phil Griffiths Conservation Plan

Titles and Owners

Reserve Lot/Location Plan/Diagram Vol/Folio
800 73648 2794/39

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

25 Sep 2019

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.

Author

National Trust of Western Australia

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

History

Assessment: Not classified by NTWA Other names: Manguri Chapel Architect/designer: Marshall Clifton Construction: 1937

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

13 Dec 2021

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.

Castledare Boys Home (fmr)

Author

Heritage Council

Place Number

04579

Location

108 Fern Rd Wilson

Location Details

Lot 101, Plan P60726

Other Name(s)

Niana
St Vincent's Preparatory School for Boys

Local Government

Canning

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1953, Constructed from 1906

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage Agreement YES 15 Oct 1997 HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument
Heritage List Adopted 18 Sep 2018
State Register Registered 07 Apr 1998 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
Classified by the National Trust Classified 13 Dec 1999
Art Deco Significant Bldg Survey Completed 30 Jun 1994
Aboriginal Heritage Sites Register Interim
Municipal Inventory Adopted 17 Oct 2017 1

Associations

Name Type Year From Year To
Henderson & Thompson Architect - -

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
1368 Former Castledare Boys Home, Wilson: conservation plan. Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} 1996
6946 Niana Homestead, Castledare Retirement Village, Wilson, WA formerly Castledare Boys Home : stage 2 refurbishment internal works for Catholic Homes Inc. (Final report). Conservation works report 2004
5409 Castledare Marian Shrine : archival photographic record. Heritage Study {Other} 1998

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use EDUCATIONAL Special School
Present Use EDUCATIONAL Special School
Other Use RELIGIOUS Church, Cathedral or Chapel

Architectural Styles

Style
Federation Queen Anne

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall BRICK Common Brick
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron

Historic Themes

General Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Religion
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Education & science

Creation Date

14 Feb 1996

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

31 Dec 2016

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.

Author

National Trust of Western Australia

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statement of Significance

Castledare Boys Home (fmr) is a purpose built institution on an early Canning River Grant with the homestead Niana being representative of the growing wealth of the district at the turn of the century. The place has cultural heritage significance arising from it being the only known purpose deigned residential school developed according to the new ideas for treatment of the intellectually handicapped in the late 1920s. It is an important marker in the development of Catholic Education in Western Australia. The church and miniature railway complement the recently established Canning River Park and currently provide important religious and recreational facilities for the Canning district and beyond. Castledare Boys Home (fmr), a purpose built institution on an early Canning River land Grant was designed around a brick and corrugated iron Federation Queen Anne style house featuring attic space and an octagonal belvedere. A brick dining room added to the rear of the house, two brick cottages with dormitory wings, a brick hall, a Women’s Auxiliary building, a Marian Shrine and a laundry amongst a complex of other buildings have been demolished. In addition to the house, a church, recreational building and miniature railway on the bank of the river remain in a landscape of mature trees and have cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: • It is the only knowN purpose designed residential school developed according to the new ideals for treatment of the intellectually handicapped in the late 1920’sin WA at a time of great debate about appropriate treatment of the intellectually handicapped and mentally ill. • The place has importance as a technical innovation; • The place is an important marker in the development of Catholic education in WA • The site is one of the earlier settlements in the Canning district and the homestead ‘Niana’ is representative of the growing wealth of the district at the turn of the century. • The style of the house is uncommon in the Canning and is valued by the community for its aesthetic characteristics • It is important for its close association with local identities such as Flemmings and Meares • The church and miniature railway complement the recently established Canning River Regional Park and currently provide important religious and recreational facilities for the Canning district and beyond AESTHETIC VALUE The Federation Queen Anne style of the original house is uncommon in the Canning and is valued by the community for its aesthetic characteristics . The overall landscape character of the site has visual connection to the Canning River and retains a mature tree canopy, many specimens of which are of very high visual integrity and environmental quality. HISTORIC VALUE • The site comprises part of an original Canning River land Grant, is one of the earlier settlements in the Canning district and the homestead Niana is representative of the growing wealth of the district at the turn of the century. It is significant for its development and use as a residential school for intellectually handicapped boys at a time of great debate about appropriate treatment of the intellectually handicapped and mentally ill. The place is an important marker in the development of Catholic education in WA. It is important for its close association with local identities such as Flemmings and Meares SCIENTIFIC VALUE The place has importance as a technical innovation. As a purpose built institution for the treatment and training of intellectually handicapped children, it was in many ways ahead of its time in Western Australia. The design was influenced by the State Psychologist, Ethel Stoneham, and the supervisor of the project, Father McMahon, whose travels in Europe and the United States led to the incorporation of the best features of similar institutions abroad. SOCIAL VALUE The site is significant for its use and adaptation as a school for underprivileged boys, inlcudig English migrant children. It is important for the social history of the work and recreation of the Christian Bortherse and the boys and lay people who generously contributed to the school since its initiation. It is important for its role in the Canning community, being valued for its miniature railway and the sites general amenity. It is of particular significance to those members of the community who grew up there and still use the church. RARITY It is the only known purpose designed residential school developed according to the new ideals for treatment of the intellectually handicapped in the late 1920’sin WA. REPRESENTATIVENESS The homestead Niana is representative of the growing wealth of the Canning district at the turn of the century. CONDITION The main structure of the homestead is intact but in poor condition, with windows, doors and skylights removed; the dining room has been demolished. The stained glass windows of the entrance hall, including the name ‘Niana’ was recovered after removal and are in storage, awaiting restoration of the building. The recreational building is in fair condition with toilets, lunch shelter and lock up storage being used by the miniature railway. The railway is in good condition and still in use. INTEGRITY Castledare Boys Home closed down in 1984 and almost all of the school buildings have been demolished for a senior citizen’s village which now occupies most of the site. However the original intention of Niana homestead as a residence, sited on a slight rise overlooking the Canning River remains clear. AUTHENTICITY Castledare Boys Home has a moderate level of authenticity. Niana homestead exhibits original layout, detailing and decoration. The children’s home developed on the site because the house and land presented the church with the ideal location for their school. The adaptation of the house to provide the chapel, kitchen, administration and attic workshop for the school illustrates the robustness of the design. Later additions have tended to distract from the appearance of the house but it has retained its prominence on the site.

Physical Description

For a discussion on the physical evidence refer to Allom Lovelll Hocking Conservation Consultants: 'Conservation Plan; Former Castledare Boys Home, Wilson' prepared for Catholic Homes Inc June 1996.

History

Assessment 1999 Construction 1906 Alterations/additions: 1929,1938, 1941, 1953, 1957, 1962 For a discussion on the documentary evidence refer to Allom Lovelll Hocking Conservation Consultants: 'Conservation Plan; Former Castledare Boys Home, Wilson' prepared for Catholic Homes Inc June 1996. Also see letter from Castledare Miniature Railways of WA Inc, dated 27 April 1984. Copies of relevant sections of these documents are on the NTWA record

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

13 Dec 2021

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.

Author

City of Canning

Construction Date

Constructed from 1957, Constructed from 1895

Demolition Year

N/A

Statement of Significance

Castledare Boys' Home (fmr), a purpose built institution designed around a brick and corrugated galvanised iron Federation Queen Anne style house featuring attic space and an octagonal belvedere, and also consisting of a brick dining room added to the rear of the house, two brick cottages with dormitory wings, a brick classroom, a brick hall, a Women's Auxiliary building, a Marian Shrine and a laundry amongst a complex of other buildings and a landscape of mature trees, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: - it is the only known purpose designed residential school developed according to the new ideals for treatment of the intellectually handicapped in the late 1920s in Western Australia at a time of great debate about appropriate treatment of the intellectually handicapped and mentally ill; - the place has importance as being technically innovative; - the place is an important marker in the development of Catholic education in Western Australia; - it is important for the social history of the work and recreation of the Christian Brothers and the boys and lay people who generously contributed to the school since its initiation; - the site is one of the earlier settlements in the Canning district and the homestead 'Niana' is representative of the growing wealth of the district at the turn of the century; - the style of the original house is uncommon in the City of Canning and is valued by the community for its aesthetic characteristics; and, - it is important for its close association with local identities such as the Flemings and Meares.

Physical Description

Castledare is located on high ground and river flats adjacent to the Canning River. It was originally developed as a pastoral property and then a school in 1929. All buildings bar the “Niana” homestead were demolished and replaced at the turn of the Twenty-first Century with brick and tile aged-care accommodation. The “Niana” homestead is representative of the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture and is prominently located on the highest point of the land. It has tuck-pointed red brick walls surrounded by a generous bull nose vernadah, which is supported by turned timber posts. The hipped corrugated iron roof has projecting gables with timber and rough render infill. There is also a convex steel belvedere stop of the roof. A large blond brick and tile Church built in 1957 remains on site. The main façade of the Church has a recessed gable lined with small mosaic tiles set above steel framed doors and windows.

History

Castledare was opened by the Christian Brothers as a centre for intellectually handicapped Catholic boys in 1929. The site of the home consisted of 83 acres of land on the banks of the Canning River and contained a brick Federation style residence of seventeen rooms. The property had been occupied since 1895 by three successive families, the Flemings, the Meares and the McLeods. The Conservation Plan for Castledare suggests the Federation style residence was built by the Flemings between 1906 and 1908. The property was originally known as “Balmoral” and was not referred to as “Niana” (the name of the Federation style residence) until the Meares were in residence. In 1927 the property was purchased by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Perth who sought to open a home for “sub-normal” children. Castledare opened in March 1929 with ten boys and under the directorship of Brother G. Hyland. The home consisted of the renovated and extended Federation style house and two cottages and a classroom block which were built for the opening. An existing farm building was renovated to provide a handicraft workshop. One of the unique features of Castledare was the purpose built “Cottage Homes” as they symbolised a more humane approach to childcare. An approach considered more superior to congregate living in large institutions. There was never more than thirty intellectually handicapped boys at any one time at Castledare during the first four years. By 1933, Castledare had stopped catering specifically for intellectually handicapped and had become a home for all types of under privileged boys. In the late 1930s and after World War II child migrants mainly from England and Malta were integrated into home. During the 1950s a rebuilding program was undertaken including classrooms and the Chapel to the Mother of Perpetual Succour, constructed in 1957 and blessed and opened by Archbishop Prendiville. In 1977 the chapel became the Parish Church of Wilson. The school closed in 1984, and is no longer used as a children's home. In 1998 the site was redeveloped as an aged care facility and retirement village called Castledare Retirement Village and operated by Catholic Homes Incorporated. “Niana” the Federation style residence was retained as part of the redevelopment with the balance of the classroom and school facilities demolished. The Castledare Miniature Railway came into being through the action of a model engineer, Mr. Keith Watson. Having completed a 71⁄4" gauge 0‐4‐2 tank steam engine named “Nellie” in early 1963, he required a track somewhere to run and operate it to give pleasure to others. After searching around, Castledare Boys Home, on the banks of the Canning River was located and appeared to be an ideal location to build a railway. An agreement was made with the Brothers of Castledare Boys Home orphanage, whereby a proportion of monies raised by the railway would be paid to the boys home. The boys of the home would be encouraged to help build the railway. The first public run on this track coincided with the boy’s home Annual Field Day in October 1963.

Integrity/Authenticity

House (Federation style villa)-1895 Moderate Alterations: Requires further investigation Intactness of fabric: Requires further investigation Condition: Requires further investigation School buildings 1929-1950's Alterations: Requires further investigation Intactness of fabric: Requires further investigation Condition: Requires further investigation Chapel-1957 Intactness of fabric: Good Condition: Good

Condition

Good: well maintained

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
BM Coldrey; "The Scheme: The Christian Brothers and Children in Western". Chap 3 & 7 Argyle-Pacific Publishing W.A. 1993

Titles and Owners

Reserve Lot/Location Plan/Diagram Vol/Folio
101 60726 2713/530
Owner Category
Catholic Church Church Property

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

25 Sep 2019

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.

Kent Street Weir

Author

Heritage Council

Place Number

04611

Location

Canning River Wilson & Ferndale

Location Details

30/3/2011 Other address details: Lots 24 & 25 Queens Park Rd, Wilson; Lot 8 Ferndale Cres, Ferndale. VFL. Mid point between Nicholson Road bridge and Riverton Bridge on Canning River within Canning River Regional Park. ; Lot 4162 on Plan 93607

Local Government

Canning

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1926 to 1989

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 18 Sep 2018
State Register Registered 21 Dec 2012 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
Classified by the National Trust Classified 14 Apr 1998
Municipal Inventory Adopted 17 Oct 2017 1
Municipal Inventory Adopted 08 Aug 1995 1

Associations

Name Type Year From Year To
Public Works Dept Architect - -
Chief Engineer Lawson of the Public Works Department. Architect - -

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
9766 Report for Kent St Weir assessment. Electronic 2009

Place Type

Other Built Type

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use GOVERNMENTAL Other
Original Use GOVERNMENTAL Reservoir or Dam
Present Use SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL Other

Architectural Styles

Style
Other Style

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall CONCRETE Reinforced Concrete

Historic Themes

General Specific
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES World Wars & other wars
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Sport, recreation & entertainment
OCCUPATIONS Rural industry & market gardening

Creation Date

18 Jun 1996

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

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.

Author

City of Canning

Construction Date

Constructed from 1926, Constructed from 1989, Constructed from 2017

Demolition Year

N/A

Statement of Significance

Kent Street Weir, a steel and concrete weir fitted with floodgates, and a steel bridge structure that spans the Canning River, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: - the place is related to the development of agricultural practice in Western Australia, in particular the Canning River area, in relation to a major scheme to provide irrigation services and water to that region; - the place is valued by the community as a well-known landmark in the Canning River Regional Park; - the place was originally constructed to prevent the ingress of salt water upstream during the summer months when the lower reaches of the river became saline due to tidal movements, and was an unique early technological achievement in the Perth Metropolitan; and, - the place provided deep water pools for swimming and fishing, and until the 1960s was virtually the only public swimming facility in the district.

Physical Description

Kent Street Weir is a weir and bridge structure spanning across the Canning River. The Weir is surrounded by parklands, playing fields and natural bush at the end of Kent Street, in the Canning River Regional Park, Wilson The Kent Street Weir was upgraded in 1989, and comprised 17 concrete bays, each containing four removable stop boards which cause fresh water to pool upstream of the weir. These boards are typically removed once there has been enough rainfall to push salt water downstream past the weir (usually in May/June), and replaced when river flows are too low to stop salt water moving back upstream (usually October/November). This annual cycle of stop board removal and replacement allows annual flushing of the system, and facilitated the movement of fish and other animals upstream of the weir during winter months. During 2017 Kent Street Weir underwent refurbishment by the Department of Water and Environment Regulation who at this period in time manage the asset. The upgrade incorporates hydraulically operated lay-flat gates removing the manually adjusted weir boards. Incorporation of a fishway facilitates the movement of fish through the weir, and a new improved footbridge is included. On completion the asset (weir, fishway and bridge) will be handed over to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions for ongoing management. The construction of the weir resulted in important environmental changes, with salt tolerant riverine species confined to the downstream side of the weir and only freshwater species on the upstream side. The weir is located at a scenic stretch of the river with natural vegetaion predominating along the banks. The former cleared open rural landscape which adjoins on either side now forms part of the public open space system of the regional park.

History

The first ever ‘Kent Street Weir’ was constructed from sand bags at this site in 1911, and aimed to stop salt water from affecting agricultural land upstream. A more permanent weir was not completed until 1927 and has since undergone numerous changes to its design and function. The 1927 structure was designed by the Public Works Engineer, at the request of local residents to stop the ingress of salt water during the summer months. Although it was called a ‘weir’ it actually functioned as a floodgate as the timber boards would be removed prior to the arrival of the winter rains to prevent the surrounding land flooding. The boards would then be reinserted in summer. The weir also became a focus for recreational activity on the river in the inter-war years, providing deep water pools for swimming and good fishing spots. By the early 1960s other previously popular swimming places in the river had deteriorated, and the pool at the weir became one of only a few public swimming facility in the district. By October 1932, the weir’s performance was not satisfactory. Salt water was getting above the weir at certain times of the year. A new weir was completed by 20 June 1940 and provided a much more substantial and efficient lock. By the summer of 1960/61, Kent Street Weir was showing signs of failure and works to remedy the situation were completed the following year. The weir was further upgraded in 1989, which included a timber bridge allowing access to both sides of the river and linking with the cycleway system through the regional park. A new weir was constructed in 2017

Integrity/Authenticity

Intactness of fabric: 1960's concrete structure probably remains intact; the original timber boardwalk and minimal handrail was replaced by the 1989 bridge and balustrade construction and totally replaced by the 2017 structure. Alterations: Concrete structure upgraded; addition of timber bridge superstructure.

Condition

Good: well maintained

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Richards; "Canning River Regional Park, Western Australia: Historical Survey". pp 61, 73, 74 & 70 DPUD 1991
Municipal Heritage Inventory City of Canning 2017

Titles and Owners

Reserve Lot/Location Plan/Diagram Vol/Folio
4162 93607 LR2110-181
Owner Category
City of Canning Local Gov't

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

15 Sep 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.

Author

National Trust of Western Australia

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statement of Significance

Kent Street Weir, a concrete structure across the Canning River, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: the place is related to the development of agricultural practice in Western Australia and in the Canning area in particular in relation to a major scheme to provide irrigation services and water to that region; it is valued by the community as a significant landmark in the Canning River Regional Park. it was originally constructed to prevent the ingress of salt water upstream during the summer months when the lower reaches of the river became saline due to tidal movements and is a unique technological response to the early problem of salt inundation over agricultural land; and, it provided deep water pools for swimming and good fishing spots in the 1960s as it was virtually the only public swimming facility in the district; Aesthetic Value Kent Street Weir is situated on the Canning River within the Canning River Regional Park approximately midway between the Nicholson Road Bridge and Shelley Bridge and has a landmark quality in a picturesque setting. The original weir was constructed of steel piling with removable timber boards to control the flow of water, but this has been replaced with a new concrete structure built in 1940. The weir was substantially upgraded in the early 1960s and again in 1989 when the bridge structure over was added and considerable work carried out to the roads and park area within the vicinity. Historic Value Kent Street Weir has significance in relation to the history of settlement and farming in Western Australia. It also has significance in its relationship with various State and local government bodies and their roles in building, maintaining or supporting the structure. The place is related to the development of agricultural practice in Western Australia and in the Canning area in particular. It has significance in relation to a major scheme to provide irrigation services and water to a specific region. The development of the place is closely associated with settlers Mr Packer, Mr Cameron and Messrs A. and E.E. Manning, with politicians Alex Clydesdale and Mr McCallum, and with Chief Engineer Lawson of the Public Works Department. The place is the result of a search for a design that would meet a specific engineering need. Scientific Value Kent Street Weir is important for its unique achievement in the metropolitan area for its function of preventing the encroachment of salt water into a fertile agriculture area. Kent Street Weir provides a unique demarcation between fresh and salt water environments in the same river system, which provides avenues for research into adaptation of river species, identification of species with requirements for one or other of the environments and the like. construction to meet the needs of agriculturists and market gardeners, Kent Street Weir assists in the understanding of the occupation by white settlers of the Canning River region. Social Value Kent Street Weir has social significance and has been used as a swimming pool and for providing good fishing spots. Kent Street Weir has provided a focus for community recreation since the 1920s. Its present usage serves as an edge to the park’s grassed areas and as a support for the bridge structure which connects the grassed park area with the natural bush of the river. Rarity Kent Street Weir is significant as there are few other examples of weirs within the Metropolitan area. The place is significant in describing the difficulties associated with the settlement and development of the Canning River region by agriculturists. Representativeness Kent Street Weir is representative of a system of water management which has been put in place along the Canning and Swan Rivers to separate the salt from the fresh water, and to provide water for irrigation and other purposes along the upper levels of the Canning River. Condition Kent Street Weir is in good condition. It has been altered and maintained by the Public Works Department (now CAMS) and the City of Canning on a regular basis. Integrity Kent Street Weir retains a high degree of integrity as a weir since the 1920s, although the detailing and construction of the weir have altered over the years. The place, as part of public open space, is important to the community. The addition of a substantial walkway bridge connecting local footpaths has added to the integrity of the weir as it now forms link from one side of the river to the other as well as a break in the types of water (saline or non saline) on either side of the weir. Authenticity Kent Street Weir, as it exists today is not the original construction, but the reconstructed weir is similar in position and size to the original. Construction is similar in principle, but not in detail. The bridge over is larger, wider, more substantial and has greater detail. Regardless of the above, the present Weir achieves the same purpose as the original in separating the waters and because of the change of level is important to the total place within the park, and therefore preserves its authenticity.

Physical Description

Kent Street Weir is located across the Canning River in a picturesque setting approximately mid point between the Nicholson Road Bridge and Shelley Bridge within the Canning River Regional Park. The construction of the Bridge is in timber with metal gratings to allow access to the Weir planking directly below. This would allow for removal or inserts to be carried out. The weir is constructed of concrete support structures with recesses to hold the drop in timber battens that retain the water. The concrete side support structures of the weir were cast in the 1960s. The hand rail and balustrading to the Bridge is vertical posts at intervals of the weir supports below, with each section subdivided into three, with cross balustrading in timber. On the top of the hand rail there is a fixed metal plate to allow for the spread of the load from the equipment which will lift the planks out of the weir. The banks of the river are natural with grass on the park side and bush land on the other. £200 was set aside for a new investigation into the matter. A new site was identified and a survey carried out. Unfortunately, the new site meant that the previous agreements were no longer good and had to be renegotiated. A new Order in Council was prepared and promulgated on 2 June 1926. Out of the 97 affected landholders, 72 signed the new agreements. Rather than chasing the remaining 25, mostly absentee landlords, it was decided to accept the situation as it stood. The new, longer weir, encroaching into an old claypit on the side of the river, commenced construction in the summer of 1926 and was ready, in part, for the winter floods of 1927. The problem of addressing changes in water level and preventing flooding behind the weir in the winter months had been solved by using a set of removable planks as the top of the weir wall. A local committee was to have been formed among the closest settlers who would have the responsibility of checking the water level and removing the planks before flooding could occur. Regrettably the committee was not formed for several months and flooding, seepage and damage to the weir resulted. The committee, consisting of Messrs Packer, Richards, Cameron and M’Lean [sic] was finally formed in June of 1927

History

Assessment 1998 Construction 1926 Alterations/Additions 1940, 1960, 1989 Architect/Designer: Public Works Dept HISTORICAL OVERVIEW Kent Street Weir (1940) comprises a concrete weir with removable timber boards to alter the level of water retained by the weir to accommodate seasonal fluctuations. Topped by a timber bridge the weir provides a recreational facility within Canning River Regional Park. The location and construction of Kent Street Weir is a saga of frustration and determination, of local interest overriding professional advice and ministerial concerns. As early as 1911, agriculturists and market gardeners along the Canning River had become concerned about the annual flooding of their land brought about by the heavy winter rains and bringing with it a burden of salt from the brackish waters of the lower reaches of the Canning. They had raised the matter with local politicians and had even reached the point where some action to allay their concerns might be taken when World War One intervened. Members of the then Public Works Department had recommended the construction of a weir and a small sum of money was put aside. Lack of manpower and materials delayed the project and, in 1916, the Minister for Works was advised of a potential legal problem. This, combined with the shortfall in labour and a revised, significantly higher, estimate of the cost was enough to put the project on the backburner and eventually out of the Ministerial eye altogether. n 1920, the Department was advised that a local resident, Mr Packer, along with several of his fellow gardeners had been providing a temporary weir on an annual basis, at a cost to the constructors of £20 per annum. A petition for a permanent weir was circulating and the Department was to look into the possibilities. No copy of the petition could be found in any of the relevant Government departments and considerable energy was devoted to looking for it. Eventually Mr Packer was requested to provide a copy. Despite the convergence of the community in deciding that a permanent weir was required, there was no convergence in the choice of site. The lack of agreement was to be a stumbling block for many years, as was the understanding that the weir would constitute a source of fresh water for irrigation purposes. The relevant Act needed to be identified and a source of funding found. If the benefits were of a purely commercial nature it was not felt that it was an appropriate project for government funding. The proposed damming of the Canning at a point somewhat higher up also formed a difficulty in that the government of the day felt that they might be in a position to be sued if the damming of the Canning resulted in reduced water flow to the irrigation area behind the proposed weir. Between 1921 and 1924, the arguments for and against the weir at a variety of locations were raised. Finally the Hon William James George, Minister for Works, made a decision declaring: “The desire of the Government is to meet the wishes of the people concerned …. If the Crown Law cannot protect you …. I want to tell the people that we have all been in a fool’s paradise, and we cannot do what they want …. but, if we can do it, for goodness sake get to work….” Inspired by these stirring words, a draft order in Council was prepared for ‘construction of a steel sheet Piling Weir on the Canning River near Kent St and Queen’s Park Road.’2 This order was approved and gazetted. Following instructions, the Solicitor General and the Auditor drew up agreements to be signed by each affected landholder, agreeing to an annual fee for the provision of the weir and fresh water for irrigation, and to allowing the laying of pipes across private land to allow more distant farmers to benefit. Objections to the siting of the weir and to the possibility of flooding now became the topic of discussion, but the work finally seemed to be in hand and by late 1923 or early 1924, the majority of agreements had been signed and the Engineer in charge was requesting that the Queens Park Road Board be required to build a road to make the site accessible. Unfortunately neither the Government of the day or the Road Board had sufficient funds. To make matters worse, the engineer in chief, Mr Lawson, died. His replacement had no brief for a weir and suggested that the settlers continue erecting a sand bag weir on an annual basis. Worse still, the new Minister for Works, Mr McCallum, had not seen through the earlier struggle and was unaware of the depth of feeling of the settlers involved. Matters were once more at a standstill. On 20 March 1925, a deputation, arranged by local politician Alex Clydesdale, arrived to see McCallum and to push for the improvements. They must have been persuasive. Even with the formation of the committee and the building of the weir, matters were not settled. Disagreement over the height of the weir proved troublesome, and several settlers defaulted on the annual charge, claiming that the weir did not perform as promised. The question of maintenance of the weir had also to be settled, a problem exacerbated in 1931 when poachers, taking advantage of the pool formed behind the weir, dynamited for fish, causing structural damage to the weir. By 1934, the West Australian was reporting that there were calls for a higher weir at the Kent St site. The construction of the new Canning Dam caused the river to dry out in 1936, a problem that had been predicted at least ten years previously. Throughout 1937 the weir continued to make good copy for newspapers with delegations to ministers and a visit by Mr Cross, MLA to inspect the weir. The weir was replaced by a new concrete structure in 1940, and was upgraded again in 1960. It became a popular place to picnic and to swim and featured in a promotional piece for the Town of Canning as providing ‘two services to the people of Canning - it keeps salt water down stream and provides a swimming pool for children.’6 In 1989, following the Bicentennial and the upgrading of parts of the Canning River Regional Park, the top of the weir, previously accessed by way of a boardwalk, was upgraded by the provision of a proper bridge. Kent Street Weir provides a popular picnic spot, and access to both sides of the river within the Canning River Regional Park.

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

23 Jan 2023

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