Dardanup State School (fmr)

Condition

Dardanup State School (fmr) is in fair to good condition. Some remedial works have recently been undertaken in order to slow the deterioration of the building. Works such as ground drainage, roofing and roof drainage have been undertaken.

Uses

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Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place is significant for the following values: Aesthetic Value: The school building has aesthetic significance as a good example of a small state school designed in the English Queen Anne architectural style prepared by the Public Works Department when G. T. Poole was the Government Architect. Historic Value: The school building has historical significance as one of the oldest state schools and the oldest surviving school in Dardanup.

Physical Description

The building represents an English Queen Anne Style Government School Building designed in the department of George Temple Poole. It is a small single room rectangular building with a steeply pitched gable roof (corrugated metal clad). The verandahs run continuous with the roof on the western and northern sides of the building. There are also two small verandah brick rooms. The verandah has been constructed from timber consisting of timber chamfered posts, fluted brackets and closed eaves. The tall brick chimney is in tact. There are high double hung timber sliding windows.

History

The one room state school was built in 1896 and opened in 1897. Miss Mary Anne Cleary was the first teacher. The school is one of the oldest government schools in WA. It closed in 1971 when Dardanup, Wellington, Ferguson and Waterloo Schools were amalgamated and transferred to the new school in Hayward Street, Dardanup. The first school established in the area was in 1854 at the home of Sir Thomas Little and transferred to the church where, in 1871, it was relocated to a little cottage built beside the church. The school was taken over by the government and relocated once again in the new premises (present site) in 1896. The building was restored in 1988 with the aid of volunteers funded by the Shire of Dardanup and the Australian Bicentennial Authority. Don Hewison, a one time student, and the local builder, who undertook much of the renovations, died in a rail crossing accident outside his home. In 1993 the school was named after him in acknowledgment of his outstanding contribution to the school. A bronze plaque on a granite block commemorates the restoration project.

Integrity/Authenticity

Authenticity: Good

Condition

Poor

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Thomas Little Memorial Hall

Parent Place or Precinct

00684 Catholic Precinct Dardanup

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Thomas Little Memorial Hall, a small brick rural neo-Gothic chapel of the mid-nineteenth century, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: • the original building is the first Catholic church established outside the metropolitan area of the Swan River Colony. It is of considerable significance as the ecclesiastical centre for the Catholic Church in the south-west coastal districts in the early history of European settlement; • the place is closely associated with Thomas Little, who was instrumental in the development of the colony because of his agricultural, viticultural and commercial activities and his unique social position; • the place is able to demonstrate the importance of religious ritual and liturgy as a focal point for a close-knit minority group of rural settlers in the early days of European settlement in Western Australia; • the place has the refind proportions of an Irish rural Gothic Chapel transferred without interpretation to an Australian setting; and, • the place demonstrates the manual skills and resourcefulness of colonial tradespeople using hand tools and local materials. The sacristy which now forms part of the building is of less significance than the main church building, while the front porch is an intrusive element. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE cont. Aesthetic Value Thomas Little Memorial Hall is noteworthy as a reflection of the European background and beliefs of an isolated Catholic group of early settlers. It is a direct translation of an Irish rural Gothic church building into an Australian setting, with little or no concession made to Western Australian climatic conditions. Thomas Little Memorial Hall contains examples of finely crafted hand-made joinery , especially the lancet windows and sashes. It also displays considerable masonry skills using local wood-fired bricks. Historic Value Thomas Little Memorial Hall illustrates, and was a focal point in, the early development of a rural Catholic enclave in a predominantly Anglican colonial community. Thomas Little Memorial Hall is significant for its association with Thomas Little, a local landowner who sponsored Catholic settlement in the Dardanup area, provided the land and building materials for the construction of the building and raised funds for its completion. Social Value Thomas Little Memorial Hall has been valued by the Catholic community at Dardanup for 140 years, filling a central role in the religious, educational and social life of the district. The community 's willingness to maintain, restore and utilise the place over this period indicates the regard in which it is held. Condition The place is in a sound condition. Dampness and salt accumulation have damaged the face bricks and affected the internal plaster, while the external render is deteriorating. Some restumping is needed, and the floorboards do not appear to have been inspected. Integrity The integrity of its underlying fabric is moderate. Authenticity The authenticity of the place is moderate.

Physical Description

For a discussion of the physical evidence refer to Michael Broderick and Partners, Architects: 'Conservation Plan for the Thomas Little Memorial Hall formerly Church of the Immaculate conception Catholic Parish of Dardanup' (prepared for the Thomas Little Memorial Hall Committee August 1996).

History

Assessment 1998 Construction 1854 -57 Alterations/additions 1884, 1979, 1992 For a discussion of the documentary evidence refer to Michael Broderick and Partners, Architects: 'Conservation Plan for the Thomas Little Memorial Hall formerly Church of the Immaculate conception Catholic Parish of Dardanup' (prepared for the Thomas Little Memorial Hall Committee August 1996).

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Statement of Significance

The place is significant for the following values: Aesthetic Value: The former church has high aesthetic significance as an excellent example of an early colonial style Gothic church. Historic Value: The former church has high historical significance for its association with the establishment of Benedictine monks and monasteries in WA. It is associated with establishments in New Norcia and Subiaco. Scientific Value: The church has scientific significance for the ability of the building to demonstrate early building techniques and constructional traditions of the early colonial settlers. Social Value: The former church has high social significance for its association with Dr Serra, Bishop Administrator of Perth, and Thomas Little. It is also highly esteemed by the local and regional community of WA.

Physical Description

The building is an example of the Colonial Gothic style of architecture which is built of stone. The original shingles of the timber roof have been replaced with corrugated metal sheets. The building has a high-pitched ridge roof with a series of buttresses with pointed arch windows, stained glass panes and a small stone bell tower at the front of the building. The interior is rendered using jarrah with a dado tongue and groove lining.

History

The church land and materials were donated by Thomas Little in 1852 to Dr Serra for construction of a church and monastery, similar to St Benedicts Monastery of Subiaco and New Norcia. Building began in 1854 and the building was in use until 1938. The church was the first Roman Catholic Church to be built in WA. It was used as a school in the 1870's and again from 1938. In 1979 extensive restoration works were carried out and the building was re-dedicated as Thomas Little Memorial Hall.

Integrity/Authenticity

Alterations/Integrity: Front modern timber porch. Rendered walls, corrugated metal roof replaced early shingles. Authenticity: Good

Condition

Good

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St Mary's Anglican Church, Dardanup

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place is significant for the following values: Aesthetic Value: The church has high aesthetic significance for its Federation Gothic architectural style and picturesque visual qualities. Historic Value: The church has historic significance as an early 1906 church in the district. Social Value: The church has high social significance to the local community as a place of worship.

Physical Description

A small compact church designed in compact crucifix form with gable, parapet walls, small hexagonal sacristy, arched windows and a castellated rendered entrance portico. The church is a good example of the English (Federation) Gothic style of architecture with red face bricks and decorative rendered bordering. The compact bold three dimensional form is particularly striking and gives the building landmark qualities. The building is the only remaining structure set in the railway siding area.

History

The church was consecrated and opened in 1906 on land given by the Venn family. The three leadlight windows were dedicated to Harry Whittall Venn and his wife Charlotte. The original organ is still in use and also the original kerosene lamps. The brass bell outside the church is dedicated to the memory of soldiers who died in the World Wars.

Integrity/Authenticity

Alterations/Integrity: Good Authenticity: Good

Condition

Good

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Wellington Dam

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Wellington Dam Precinct, comprising Wellington Dam, a solid concrete gravity dam constructed in 1933, and enlarged in 1945 and 1960, No 1 Pumping Station and associated Chlorine Store and Chlorinator (1953, 1963), 2kW Hydroelectric Station (1956), Caretaker’s Quarters & Kiosk (1966), landscaped Quarry, and roads, landscaping and facilities for public use and recreation, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: • The place is the only example in Western Australia of a combination of water supply facilities for irrigation, domestic use and hydroelectric power couple with a solid concrete gravity dam; • The Hydroelectric Station is a rare example of its type in Western Australia and has value as a demonstration site; • The place is a fine representative example of a solid concrete gravity dam of considerable size in the south west of Western Australia; • The place is a significant recreation landscape formed by a combination of the natural vegetation and landscaping which is a representative example of late Twentieth Century Bush Garden style and was designed by John Oldham who was influenced by the work of Edna Walling; • Wellington Dam was built in 1933 to form the headworks of the Collie River Irrigation Scheme, one of the largest users of water for irrigation in Western Australia; • The place contains an important collection of functional industrial structures and recreational buildings exhibiting elements of the Post War International style; • The place provided direct employment for a large number of men under the sustenance program of the 1930s Depression and was a major employer of immigrant labour, particularly southern Europeans, in the 1950s; • The raising of the wall of Wellington Dam in 1960 provided a reservoir to supply the Comprehensive Water Supply Scheme for the ongoing development of southwest towns; • The place has the potential to yield archaeological information relating to the workers encampments of the 1930s and 1950s, the equipment and machinery used, and the construction processes; • The place is associated with Sir Russell Dumas as Chief Engineer, and Chief Hydraulic Engineer of the Public Works Department, and with landscape architect John Oldham; and • The place is highly valued for its associations with farming in the region since 1933 and for its attractions as both a passive and active recreation venue. The site of the former Workers’ House and Single Men’s Quarters (now demolished) is of little significance.

Physical Description

RHP record

History

Wellington Dam Precinct comprises Wellington Dam, a solid concrete gravity dam constructed in 1933, and enlarged in 1945 and 1960, the No. 1 Pumping Station, Chlorine Store and Chlorinator (1953, 1963), 2kW Hydroelectric Station (1956), Caretaker's Quarters & Kiosk (1966), landscaped Quarry, and roads, landscaping and facilities for public use and recreation. The structures exhibit elements of Post War International Style. A full Historical Description is available here: Assessment Documentation Link to inherit database: http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Content/PdfLoader.aspx?id=09900b8c-92fd-47d6-9cd9-e790765cda08&type=assessment

Integrity/Authenticity

High/ High

Condition

Good

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