House, 62 Wilson Street

Uses

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Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value as a substantially intact timber residence from the 1920s. • The place has historic value for its association with the development of the area known as West Guildford, later Bassendean in the 1920ss. • The place has social value as a demonstration of the scale of housing constructed for professional members of the community in the 1920s.

Physical Description

A single storey timber framed house with a hipped roof. The roof has been reclad in red Colorbond with a vented gablet ridge, flying gable and verandah canopy, supported on square timber posts. The house has an asymmetric plan form with weatherboard to dado height and rough cast render above. The main entrance features a timber and glass panelled door with leaded light panel and leaded side lights and fan light. The windows are timber framed casements. A feature of the façade is a box bay with four casements, one to each side of the bay with stained glass fan lights. The house is located within a mature garden setting behind a timber picket fence.

History

This portion of Bassendean, on the eastern side of Wilson Street, was subdivided by a group of investors in 1898 under the promotional name of 'West End'. The group of investors included some of the most wellknown members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H. Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr J. Hope and W. Paterson. Three of these men; Parker, Leake and Paterson; were at various times members of parliament. Wilson Street was the western boundary of this subdivision and a slightly later subdivision was created c1902 on the western side of Wilson Street. The name of the street recognises either the Premier of Western Australia, Frank Wilson but more likely an early resident of Guildford, Colonel Wilson. From the available information this residence was built c1921 and the first occupant was Thomas Walter Hall (c1893-1934) and his wife Eileen Emma, nee Parlour. The couple had married in 1919 and Thomas’s father, James Henry Hall a builder, may have built the house for them. Information from the owners’ c2004 stated that the house is substantially in its original form with a later addition of two bedrooms at the rear.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate

Condition

Good

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House, 68 Wilson Street

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value as a substantially intact timber residence from the 1930s. • The place has historic value for its association with the development of the area known as West Guildford, later Bassendean in the 1930s. • The place has social value as a demonstration of the scale and form of housing constructed for working men and their families in the Inter War period.

Physical Description

An elevated single storey residence of timber framed and zincalume construction. The timber frame is clad with weatherboards and fibre cement sheeting. The residence has an asymmetric plan form with a projecting bay incorporating a gable roof with timber battened detailing. The windows are 3 sections of timber framed casements with leaded window and skillion Colorbond canopy supported with timber brackets. The recessed section sits under another gabled element forming a verandah canopy, lined on the underside with fibre cement sheeting, supported on square timber posts with a simple timber balustrade extending between the posts. The verandah is accessed by a short flight of concrete steps and the void under the verandah is bricked up. The house is on timber stumps. The roof has been reclad with Colorbond with open eaves. The open front garden has a retaining wall to minimise the slope of the garden and has a paved driveway to the side.

History

This portion of Bassendean, on the eastern side of Wilson Street, was subdivided by a group of investors in 1898 under the promotional name of 'West End'. The group of investors included some of the most wellknown members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H. Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr J. Hope and W. Paterson. Three of these men; Parker, Leake and Paterson; were at various times members of parliament. Wilson Street was the western boundary of this subdivision and a slightly later subdivision was created c1902 on the western side of Wilson Street. The name of the street recognises either the Premier of Western Australia, Frank Wilson but more likely an early resident of Guildford, Colonel Wilson. From the available information this residence was built in c1938 and the first occupants were super phosphate worker, Bertie Francis Besch (c1910-1982) and his wife Doris Mabel Besch, nee Ewing (c1916-1975). The couple had married in 1936. The cottage has been extended to the rear since the mid-20th century however the form and extent of the original residence are still evident.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate

Condition

Good

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House, 69 Wilson Street

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value as a substantially intact timber residence from the 1920s. • The place has historic value for its association with the development of the area known as West Guildford, later Bassendean in the 1920s. • The place has social value as a demonstration of the scale and form of housing constructed for working men and their families in the Inter War period.

Physical Description

A timber framed and weatherboard single storey house with a complex hipped roof clad in Colorbond. The asymmetric façade has a stepped elevation including three double windows to the front of replacement sliding aluminium. The entry is a shallow return wall with a double window adjacent. The roof is hipped to the front section with another hipped form to the rear. The front hip incorporates a rough cast rendered flying gable above the main front window. The verandah extends the full width of the front elevation being the continuation of the main roof with a gentle break of pitch. The verandah canopy is supported on square timber posts with horizontal timber balustrade.

History

This portion of Bassendean, on the eastern side of Wilson Street, was subdivided by a group of investors in 1898 under the promotional name of 'West End'. The group of investors included some of the most wellknown members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H. Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr J. Hope and W. Paterson. Three of these men; Parker, Leake and Paterson; were at various times members of parliament. Wilson Street was the western boundary of this subdivision and a slightly later subdivision was created c1902 on the western side of Wilson Street. The name of the street recognises either the Premier of Western Australia, Frank Wilson but more likely an early resident of Guildford, Colonel Wilson. From the available information this residence was built c1926 and the first occupants were boilermaker’s assistant, Edwin Joseph O’Kely (Okely) (c1890-1985) and his wife Amy Semark Okely (c1894-1983). The couple lived at the residence until the 1950s. Aerial photographs indicate the building has been added to at the rear in several programs of work.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate/Low

Condition

Good

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House, 73 Wilson Street

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value as a substantially intact timber residence from the 1920s. • The place has historic value for its association with the development of the area known as West Guildford, later Bassendean in the 1920s. • The place has social value as a demonstration of the scale and form of housing constructed for working men and their families in the Inter War period.

Physical Description

A single storey timber dwelling with a hipped tiled roof. The roof extends down to form the verandah canopy at the same pitch with a weatherboard flying gable above the entrance door. A simple symmetrical façade with a central entry flanked by 1-over-1 sash windows. The front garden is enclosed by a timber picket fence.

History

This portion of Bassendean, on the eastern side of Wilson Street, was subdivided by a group of investors in 1898 under the promotional name of 'West End'. The group of investors included some of the most wellknown members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H. Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr J. Hope and W. Paterson. Three of these men; Parker, Leake and Paterson; were at various times members of parliament. Wilson Street was the western boundary of this subdivision and a slightly later subdivision was created c1902 on the western side of Wilson Street. The name of the street recognises either the Premier of Western Australia, Frank Wilson but more likely an early resident of Guildford, Colonel Wilson. From the available information this residence was built in the early 1920s and was occupied by Charles Crowther Cope (c1857-193), his wife Elizabeth and their children Harold and Eileen. The block has been subdivided and a new residence built on the rear portion. Additions to the rear of the original residence have not had a significant impact on the form and extent of the original residence.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate

Condition

Good

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House, 77 Wilson Street

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value as a substantially intact timber residence from the 1920s. • The place has historic value for its association with the development of the area known as West Guildford, later Bassendean in the 1920s. • The place has social value as a demonstration of the scale and form of housing constructed for working men and their families in the Inter War period.

Physical Description

A single storey dwelling of rendered brick construction with a hipped corrugated iron roof. The symmetrical façade features casement windows flanking a central doorway. The windows are timber framed leaded openings with angled brick sills. A concrete deck verandah is located across the entire facade with the main roof extending down to form the canopy at a broken pitch, supported on rendered brick columns. The hipped roof incorporates two gablets at the end of the ridge and a short brick chimney.

History

This portion of Bassendean, on the eastern side of Wilson Street, was subdivided by a group of investors in 1898 under the promotional name of 'West End'. The group of investors included some of the most wellknown members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H. Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr J. Hope and W. Paterson. Three of these men; Parker, Leake and Paterson; were at various times members of parliament. Wilson Street was the western boundary of this subdivision and a slightly later subdivision was created c1902 on the western side of Wilson Street. The name of the street recognises either the Premier of Western Australia, Frank Wilson but more likely an early resident of Guildford, Colonel Wilson. Information from the owners c2004 stated that the house was constructed in the 1920s. Other sources confirm that the house was built c1923 and was first occupied by carpenter, Clarence Cook (c1895-1970) and his wife Minnie, nee Roach(c1902-1968). The couple lived at the house until the 1950s. Current owners state that the house was originally weatherboard and has been clad in brick pre 1992 and many of the doors and windows are not original having been salvaged from other buildings.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate/Low

Condition

Fair

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House, 78 Wilson Street

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value as a substantially intact timber residence from the 1910s. • The place has historic value for its association with the development of the area known as West Guildford, later Bassendean in the 1910s. • The place has social value as a demonstration of the scale and form of housing constructed for working men and their families in the early 20th century.

Physical Description

A single storey timber framed and weatherboard cottage with corrugated iron hipped roof with small gablets which sweeps down to form the verandah canopy at a broken pitch. The verandah returns around the side elevations and the canopy is supported on square timber posts. The façade is symmetrical with 1-over-1 sash windows flanking the central entrance door. The door forms part of an ensemble that includes side lights and fan lights. The house is set within a garden enclosed by a picket fence.

History

This portion of Bassendean, on the eastern side of Wilson Street, was subdivided by a group of investors in 1898 under the promotional name of 'West End'. The group of investors included some of the most wellknown members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H. Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr J. Hope and W. Paterson. Three of these men; Parker, Leake and Paterson; were at various times members of parliament. Wilson Street was the western boundary of this subdivision and a slightly later subdivision was created c1902 on the western side of Wilson Street. The name of the street recognises either the Premier of Western Australia, Frank Wilson but more likely an early resident of Guildford, Colonel Wilson. From the available information this larger residence built over two lots was constructed c1916 for James Henry Hall (c1876-1950) and his wife Kate Caroline Hall (c1877-1941). James Hall is recorded as a plumber and later builder so may have constructed this home and others in adjacent lots which were occupied by members of the Hall family (Nos. 80 and 62). Aerial photographs indicate that the place has been extended to the rear, which has not had a significant effect on the form and extent of the original cottage.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate

Condition

Good

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Eden Hill Primary School

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value as significant elements of the building stock are good and well maintained examples of the Post War International style. • The place has historic value for its association with the development of this area of Bassendean in the period following World War Two. • The place has social value for the many members of the community who have attended the school or had other associations with the school.

Physical Description

Vernacular brick and iron single storey educational complex constructed in stages. The earliest brick section features an entry with a gabled projecting element incorporating three tall windows with the remainder of the elevation featuring a regular rhythm of sash and hopper window positioned directly under the eaves. There is a regular placement of tall brick chimneys with rendered caps. Further brick and rendered range with large sash windows appears to have been constructed at a similar period. The later buildings feature a brick dado and rendered upper section of walling; with a hipped roof including regular placement of tall brick chimneys. The original window placement creates a regular rhythm to the elevation, but with non-original sashes (1-over-1 with separate lower window).

History

Portion of Bassendean was developed under the name 'Eden Estate' in the 1890s when developer and future Premier of Western Australia, Frank Wilson, subdivided land for residential use. The name was believed to come from a farm that once existed in the area. A primary school has been located at this site since 1915. Known briefly as the Ivanhoe Street School before being renamed the North Guildford School and finally the Eden Hill School, it catered for the growing number of children whose families were settling north of the railway line in the area which would be formally known as Eden Hill in 1954. The original school was replaced in the early 1950s with the current new school buildings. The construction of this new facility was a response to the growth of population in this area in the period following World War Two. The buildings were designed by the Public Works Department of WA and the scale and design of the school buildings were consistent with many schools of the period. Since 1953, the school has been altered and added to in response to changing teaching methods and population. Particular events have had an impact on the school included a major fire in 1989, which caused significant damage and major new works as part of the Commonwealth Building Education Revolution (BER) programme in 2010 and 2011.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate

Condition

Good

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Pyrton Training Centre

Condition

By January 2009 all buildings had been cleared. Some mature plantings (eg Date Palm) remained.

Uses

Creation Date

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House

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Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value as a well maintained example of the Post War International style. • The place has historic value for its association with the development of this area of Bassendean in the period following World War Two.

Physical Description

Single storey brick and tile dwelling which presents with a symmetrical façade consisting of two projecting bays either side of a recessed section of the façade. The east bay projects further than the west. Featured within the recessed section of façade is the front entrance; no more detail is visible due to mature planting. Centrally located on the projecting bays is a group of three timber framed windows where the central glazed sections are fixed and the sections either side of this are casement windows. The roof is a complex hipped arrangement which is clad in terracotta tiles. Underneath the eaves of the two projecting bays a separate flat roofed porch has been built covering the recessed section which is supported by timber posts.

History

Eden Hill was approved as a suburb in 1954. The name 'Eden Estate' had been used in the area since the late 1890s when developer and future Premier of Western Australia, Frank Wilson, subdivided land for residential use. The name was believed to come from a farm that once existed in the area. This residence was built during a period of rapid expansion and development following World War II when Western Australia was experiencing significant economic and population growth. Areas on the fringes of the metropolitan area such as Eden Hill were taken up for new subdivisions. The construction of the new Eden Hill school buildings in 1953 on the other side of Marion Street would have made this area popular for young families.

Integrity/Authenticity

High High

Condition

Good

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House

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as a predominantly intact example of the Inter War style. • The place has historic value for its association with the development of Eden Hill in the Inter War period. • This place has social value as the house demonstrates the form and scale of housing for working families in the inter war period.

Physical Description

A single storey dwelling constructed of timber weatherboards and wall sheeting with a terracotta tile roof. The façade is constructed from timber weatherboards on the bottom third and wall sheeting for the top two-thirds. The façade is asymmetrical in form due to the section projecting from the south-west corner. Centrally located within the projecting section is a group of three timber framed casement windows, each with two small panes across the top of the larger panes. Projecting over the group of casements is a terracotta tile clad awning with timber brackets. Within the gable of projecting section is timber detailing. The timber framed front entrance is located within the recessed section of façade, abutting the projecting section. To the east of the front entrance is another group of three timber framed casement windows each with two small panes above the larger part of window glazing. The roof is hipped (except over the projecting section which is gabled) and is clad with terra cotta roof tiles. The pitch of the roof breaks slightly to extend over the recessed part of façade to create the verandah which is supported by timber posts and has a decorative metal balustrade and a rendered brick floor.

History

Eden Hill was approved as a suburb in 1954. The name 'Eden Estate' had been used in the area since the late 1890s when developer and future Premier of Western Australia, Frank Wilson, subdivided land for residential use. The name was believed to come from a farm that once existed in the area. From the available information this dwelling was constructed c1937 and first occupied by labourer, Frederick Edward Darnley Power (c1901-1981) and his wife Gladys Ena Power (c1907-1984). This couple lived at the dwelling for only a few years before being occupied by a series of residents. It is likely that this house was originally numbered 9 or 11 Marion Street. The pressed metal roof tiles are likely to be a later addition.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate

Condition

Poor

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House

Uses

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Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as an example of the Inter War style. • The place has historic value for its association with the development of Eden Hill in the Inter War period. • This place has social value as the house demonstrates the form and scale of housing for working families in the inter war period.

Physical Description

The canvas blinds and dense planting around this cottage prevent a detailed description of this place. The roof form and visible materials indicate that it is a typical timber framed cottage with a symmetrical façade.

History

Eden Hill was approved as a suburb in 1954. The name 'Eden Estate' had been used in the area since the late 1890s when developer and future Premier of Western Australia, Frank Wilson, subdivided land for residential use. The name was believed to come from a farm that once existed in the area. Marion Street was a relatively remote part of the district in 1928 when the Carter family first started living there. From the available information members of the Carter family occupied residences in Marion Street from this time with Alfred Walter Carter (1872-1952), a labourer, the most consistent resident. Alfred married Ada Selina Ruck in 1899 in their home country of England before moving to Australia c1912 and serving with the AIF during World War One. The couple lived at 5 Marion Street until their deaths, Ada in 1948 and Alfred in 1952. From the available information, their son Charles Albert Carter (1901-1988) lived at 7 Marion Street from c1936. Charles Albert Carter recorded his occupation as a Steward as was his brother Alfred Cornelius Carter who lived in the street during the early 1930s. From the aerial photographs of the site the residence has changed minimally from the mid-20th century although many structures have been constructed in the rear of the property throughout recent decades.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate/Low

Condition

Fair

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House

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

• The place is indicative of the standard plan and type of housing in the Inter-war period. • The place has historic value for its association with the development of this area of Bassendean in the Inter War period.

Physical Description

Single storey timber framed and weatherboard clad dwelling. The dwelling consists of a symmetrical façade with a centrally located timber framed front door which is flanked on either side by a group of three timber framed casement windows. The roof is hoped, clad in cement tiles and has a steep pitch. With a slight break in pitch the sweep of the roof extends over the façade to create the verandah. The verandah runs along the entire façade and is supported by timber posts with decorative timber brackets.

History

Eden Hill was approved as a suburb in 1954. The name 'Eden Estate' had been used in the area since the late 1890s when developer and future Premier of Western Australia, Frank Wilson, subdivided land for residential use. The name was believed to come from a farm that once existed in the area. Marion Street was a relatively remote part of the district in the 1920s when the Carter family first started living there. From the available information members of the Carter family occupied residences in the street from 1926 but may have been earlier. Alfred Walter Carter (1872-1952), a labourer, married Ada Selina Ruck in 1899 in their home country of England before moving to Australia c1912 and serving with the AIF during World War One. The couple lived at 5 Marion Street until their deaths, Ada in 1948 and Alfred in 1952. Their son Charles Albert Carter (1901-1988) lived next door at 7 Marion Street. This residence is similar in form and detail to the residence at 7 Marion Street and it is likely that they were built at roughly the same time during the Inter-War period. From the aerial photographs of the site the residence has changed minimally from the mid-20th century although many structures have been constructed in the rear of the property and additions have been made to the rear and sides of the original residence.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate/High

Condition

Good

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House

Uses

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Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value as an intact and unmodified example of a Federation Bungalow style residence. • The place has historic value for its association with the early settlement and development of the Eden Hill area in the 1920s. • The place has aesthetic value as a landmark in the community as it has been unchanged since the 1920s • The place has social value for its demonstration of a family home of a working family in the 1920s.

Physical Description

A single storey timber constructed and weatherboard clad dwelling which originally presented with a symmetrical façade. The west elevation and west corner of façade have been closed in using cement-fibro sheeting to create a sleep-out under the verandah, therefore making the current façade present as asymmetrical. The timber framed front entrance with timber panelled front door is located off-centre toward the east with what could be the original decorative timber fly screen. To the east of the front entrance is a timber framed six-over-six sash window with a small timber sill beneath. To the west of front entrance is another six-over-six timber framed sash window with a small timber sill. Centrally located on the sleep-out addition on the west corner of façade is a double framed louvre window. The roof is a pyramid hipped roof which is clad in corrugated iron. At the façade edge, the pitch of the roof breaks and extends over the faced creating the verandah which is supported by timber posts with a simple timber frieze, timber balustrade and timber decking. The verandah extends along the entire façade and east elevation and would have originally extended along the west elevation were it not for the later addition of the verandah sleep-out. The entire dwelling is in an extremely dilapidated condition. The mature trees surrounding the house are an indication of the age of the building.

History

This portion of Bassendean was subdivided by a group of investors in 1898. The group of investors included some of the most well-known members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H.Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr. J. Hope and W. Paterson. Three of these men; Parker, Leake and Paterson; were at various times members of parliament. Third Avenue was originally an extension of James Street on the southern side of the railway line but was renamed c1930. From the available information this residence was built c1919 for glass cutter Albert Richard Winch (c1874-1946) his wife Annie and their seven children. The house was one of the first to be built in this portion of Eden Hill and was relatively isolated until after World War II. The house was set in a large garden which does not appear to have been used for commercial purposes. In 1929, the Bassendean Road Board approved plans for additions to the property although the nature of the additions is not known. Aerial photographs indicate the property has not significantly changed in form or extent since the mid 20th century.

Integrity/Authenticity

High High

Condition

Poor

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Red Post Boxes Group

Child Places

• 01279 Kalgoorlie Railway Station
• 07406 VR 1876 Post Box, Bassendean
• 07406 VR 1876 Post Box, Bassendean
• 05304 Old Busselton Post Office Site & Post Box

Physical Description

The group comprises four operational red post boxes: - VR 1876 Bassendean - VR 1891 Busselton - VR 1894 Kalgoorlie Railway Station - VR 1897 Kalgoorlie Hotel

History

The first pillar box in Western Australia is thought to have been erected in Fremantle in 1868. From 1891, all Western Australia’s pillar boxes were cast by the J & E Ledger Foundry, therefore the boxes which predate this time, including VR 1876 Post Box, Bassendean were cast by other (mostly unknown) foundries and differ slightly in design. J & E Ledger cast post boxes from 1891 until 1912. Forty five (45) Ledger post boxes remain extant in WA, with the majority being located within a heritage precinct or museum. Ledger’s post boxes fit into one of three designs, each of which relate to a specific reigning monarch. The three types are: • VR boxes cast between 1891 and 1900 – carrying the royal cipher VR, for Victoria Regina (Latin for Queen Victoria, 1853 to 1901) - These boxes are similar in design to the earlier Penfold-type boxes. They are simple red hexagonal cast iron structures, originally cast with a finial on top. • ER boxes cast between 1901 and 1909 – carrying the royal cipher ER for Edward Rex (King Edward, 1901 to 1910) – These boxes are larger than the earlier VR versions. They are cylindrical, with a finial topper, and have a black swan cast on the front. • GR boxes cast between 1910 and 1912 – carrying the royal cipher GR for George Rex (King George, 1910 to 1936) – These boxes are similar to the ER boxes in that they are tall, cylindrical boxes, cast with a black swan on the front. It appears that cast iron post boxes were slowly taken out of postal circulation in the twentieth century and removed from their original locations. The majority are no longer used for postal services and are now located within heritage precincts or museums. For more information about cast iron post boxes in Western Australia, see Hobson, Sue, Cast Iron Pillar Boxes of Western Australia: An Early History of the J & E Ledger Foundry (Scott Print, Perth: 2015)

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Swan and Canning Rivers

Child Places

• 04799 Mill Point Reserve
• 11960 Landing Reserve
• 26082 Canning River Regional Park
• 11960 Landing Reserve
• 04839 Milyu Nature Reserve and Marine Park
• 13808 Yule's Rapids
• 11691 Mosman Bay Foreshore
• 18688 Matilda Bay Reserve
• 09295 Mosman Bay Junior Sailing Club
• 11667 Mead's Fish Gallery

Values

The place is one of the most prominent landmark in the State of Western Australia

The place has an exceptional level of aesthetic value

The place is highly significant as the primary water way through the Perth metropolitan area and, being the focus of the earliest settlements in the State, still retains numerous sites and places that provide evidence for this story

The place is highly significant to the Western Australian Noongar population as a focus point for ceremony, spiritual life and subsistence during both prehistory through to the present day

The place has long been the focus of recreation and community life in the metropolitan area and has iconic values as the centrepiece of the State

Statement of Significance

The Swan Canning Riverpark covers 72.1 square kilometres of river reserve and adjoining public lands. The Swan Canning Riverpark supports a diverse array of plant and animal life, some endemic to the region. The Swan and Canning rivers, which stretch and snake their way for 280 kilometres from Wickepin to the deep blue of the Indian Ocean in Fremantle, represent an important slice of West Australian history, as well as holding significant cultural values for Perth, serving as an important feature of the city’s landscape.

Physical Description

The Swan River runs through the Perth metropolitan area from its mouth at Fremantle to Walyunga National Park in the northeast. The Canning River, diverting from the Swan at Canning Bridge, continues to Araluen in the southeast.

History

The Indigenous population of Western Australia, in the metropolitan area comprising the Noongar language group, utilised the resources of the Swan River for thousands of years prior to European settlement. Although the resources it contained were integral to this focus, the rivers were also significant components in Noongar spiritual and ceremonial life. This focus, and the spiritual links, continues to the present day. Although explored by the French and Dutch during the seventeenth, and early nineteenth centuries, the first British expedition to explore this part of Western Australia did not take place until 1827. Captain James Stirling arrived on the western side of the continent in the H.M.S Success in March and his reports of the region were favourable. The Canning River was also explored during this expedition with Stirling naming it after George Canning, a British Statesman and Prime Minister of Great Britain. Stirling’s favourable reports encouraged the establishment of the Swan River Colony in February 1829. European settlement initially centred around the mouth of the Swan at Fremantle and spread out towards Perth and Guildford. Long thin ribbon grants were allotted to early settlers in the Swan District to give them equal river frontage but poor soils and a noxious weed resulted in movement further east into the Swan Valley. With the introduction of convicts to the Swan River Colony in the 1850s infrastructure building and the availability of a labour force allowed the river valleys to be fully exploited for agriculture. With the commencement of Western Australia’s gold rush in the 1890s the population increased, as did the settlement focus on the Swan and Canning Rivers. This continued throughout the early twentieth century with the majority of the population living in and around the river park and along the coastal areas of the State. The intensive infrastructure building seen during this period saw the construction of a safe harbour at the mouth of the Swan in Fremantle and, during the early twentieth century, large sections of the river along the Perth foreshore were subject to reclamation. The Swan and Canning Rivers have, from the earliest period of settlement, been a focus of Western Australian life. This continues to the present and will continue far into the foreseeable future.

Uses

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