Wellard School - site

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Statement of Significance

Historic Value: The site is associated with the establishment of this region in the 1920s by farming families. The site and wider region is associated with the government sponsored Peel Estate Scheme which lead to the development of the region initially for farming and later commercial, industrial and residential occupation. Social Value: The former school site is valued by sections of the community for its association with family members and the communities who established the region. Level of significance: Historic Site

Physical Description

The former school site was 5 acres and its location is approximately bound by Johnson Road, Breccia Parade, Moonstone Parkway and a line east west from Moonstone Parkway to Johnson Road that is on the northern boundary of 20 Ivory Way, which in 2021 is the location of the Bertram Family Practice.

History

The Wellard School, or Richardson Swamp School, was established on this site in 1922 for the children of families who has settled here to farm, either as part of the government Peel Estate initiative, Soldier Settlers, or as independent settlers. Richard Anketell, senior engineer of the Peel Estate Drainage Scheme, made the observation during his tours of the region that there were a significant number of school age children and notified the Department of Education of the need in late 1921. Reserve 17956, of 5 acres was created on 24 March 1922 on Lot 155 which was located on the south east side of Richardson Swamp. Although the site was formalised it appears that there was no immediate action as in August 1922, resident H. McDonald wrote to the Education Department on behalf of the settlers requesting a school in the area. This application was supported by Richard Anketell in a letter to the department in October 1922 stating that he and Chief Inspector Klein of the Education Department had chosen the site and he was willing to supervise the construction of the buildings. A standard school building and quarters were built in 1923 and the Richardson Swamp School was opened on 1st November 1923 by Head Teacher Percy Minchin. Minchin remained in that role until early 1924 and was replaced by William Matt Richardson (c1885-1948). Descendants of William Richardson recall that two trees were planted by William Richardson in 1924 on the school property, or possibly nearby, when he was appointed to the position of Headmaster at the school. In June 1925, Richardson wrote to the Department of Education suggesting that extra land adjacent to the school (on the swamp side and to the east) could be acquired, in part to enable the Head Teacher to keep a cow and therefore not have to rely on neighbours for paddocking. It seems this suggestion was not followed up. In 1928, correspondence held by the Education Department relating to the condition of the school buildings and equipment noted that the building was used for dances and 'in such cases the furniture is roughly handled. This would account for the damaged desks'. In the same year, Head Teacher of the Wellard School (J. Davis) wrote to the Department stating that 'the group on the Peel Estate is now practically finished and it is now common knowledge that when the Group settlers are sent away from round Wellard, the classification of the school would not be affected. … there would still be an enrolment of 28 children'. J. Davis states this is because the Wellard School was built to serve the Soldier Settlement on Richardson Swamp. The two schemes appear to have quite different origins, members and purposes at that time. In December 1943, the school building was destroyed by fire although the headmaster's quarters were saved. In the following school year 1944, classes were held in the Wellard Hall for a rental of 10 shillings/week. The hall by all accounts was unsatisfactory for the teacher and students. A proposal to relocate the Mandogalup School building to this site was refused by the Department in November 1944 because during war time there was limited labour and material available. It required a visit from local MLA Ross McLarty to the school in February 1945 to at least secure a water tank and a stove for the hall. By February 1947, the numbers of children at the school was in a state of flux with many people moving in and out of the area but formally only 9 children were attending. On the advice of the Head Teacher, James McKenzie, the school held in the Wellard Hall should be closed and the children transported to Baldivis School which had better accomodation than the Wellard Hall. The school was officially closed on 7 March 1947. No detail has been found in this research to determine whether the former quarters were demolished or relocated. In January 1950, the Reserve allocated for the school was formally cancelled and the land transferred to the Conservator of Forests. Since that time the place has slowly become more developed with a tranistion to dense residential subdivision evident in aerial photographs from c2009. During the late 1980s until the early 2000s the place was use for a plant nursery but all evidence of that function has been removed. The pine trees associated with the site planted by William Richardson no longer appear to be present on the site. Pine Trees identified on the western side of Johnson Road appear to have been planted in the 1980s.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Low Authenticity: Low

Condition

Site Only

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Wellard Hospital - Site of

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Historic Value: The place has historic value as the site of the former Wellard Hospital, which was constructed in 1926 to provide much needed medical facilities for local Group settlers, before being relocated to Esperance in 1930. The place is associated with Reverend Sherwin, Anglican minister at Wellard during the 1920s, who campaigned tirelessly for its construction. The place is associated with Dr. Day-Lewis, the first resident medical officer to be appointed to Wellard Hospital. the site has historic value for its association with the provisions of health services to the district in the 1920's.

Physical Description

N/A

History

As the community of Wellard grew during the early 1920s, it became obvious that there was an urgent need for medical facilities. In July, 1923, Mrs. Runnalls, wife of the manager of Whitby Falls Hospital, wrote to the State Children’s Department requesting an investigation as to the feasibility of establishing a least some maternity facilities on the Peel Estate. In July 1924, the Anglican minister at Wellard, the Reverend Sherwin also wrote a letter, this time to the Department of Health, stressing the need for hospital and medical facilities. Sherwin continued to campaign the Department during 1924, and received much community support. Numerous public meetings of group and soldier settlers and representatives from the Public Works and Lands Departments led to the election of a fundraising committee, namely the Peel Estates Sports Committee, in order to raise part of the funds towards the proposed hospital. A series of horse races were subsequently held at Mandogalup and East Rockingham, contributing towards the cost of the hospital, which was initially estimated at £1,000. Fundraising was also undertaken by the Mother's Union along with the Peel Estate Sports Committee. The committee also decided to levy each wage earner in the district 1/6 per week towards the hospital scheme. The Wellard three-ward hospital was officially opened on 30 February 1926. The Government had provided £3,399 for the cost of the building, while the settlers had raised £431 for the cost of the equipment. As the main instigator in the campaign for the hospital, it was suggested that Reverend Sherwin be honoured in the naming of the hospital, however the place appears to be better known as Wellard Hospital. The first resident medical officer appointed to Wellard Hospital was Dr. Day-Lewis who was accommodated in a nearby residence. He was originally appointed with a salary of £600 to be provided by the Peel Estate group settlers, however his actual salary was far below this due to the number of settlers leaving the area. Dr. Day-Lewis also had to supply drugs, medicines and his own transport. By 1928, the number of patients had been reduced to a total of 36 for the whole year, nearly all of which were maternity patients. Wellard Hospital was dismantled during 1930 and was transported to Esperance, where it was re-erected as the Esperance Hospital, and later became nurses’ quarters and consulting rooms before being relocated to Museum Park in 1983. (Source: Laurie Russell, Kwinana “Third Time Lucky”, 1979)

Integrity/Authenticity

IN/A

Condition

Site Only

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Doctor's Residence - Wellard

Uses

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Statement of Significance

Historic Value: The place is associated with Dr. Day-Lewis, who was the first resident medical officer to be appointed to Wellard Hospital, and who occupied the doctor’s quarters that were once located on this site. The place has historic value for its association with the establishment of the Wellard Hospital, which was constructed in 1926 to provide much needed medical facilities for local Group settlers, before being relocated to Esperance in 1930.

Physical Description

A new residence constructed as part of the Homestead Ridge housing development occupies the site of the former hospital. There is no remaining evidence of the original structure, however two trees that grow on the block are believed to be those planted by the Dr. Day-Lewis.

History

The first resident medical officer appointed to Wellard Hospital was Dr. Day-Lewis. He took up his position in a six-roomed residence about December, 1925. The doctor’s house was built in close proximity to the hospital and cost £900 to build. He was charged a weekly rent of £1.5.0. Dr. Day-Lewis was originally appointed with an annual salary of £600, with the salary to be provided by Peel Estate group settlers. However, by 1927, his income had dropped to £40 per month, and he also had to supply drugs, medicine and his transport at his own cost. By that time, he had already driven 15,000 miles in the district and his drug bill had reached as much as £120 a year. Dr Day-Lewis resigned from the post on 30 April, 1927. The hospital was dismantled and relocated in 1930 and it is probable the quarters were as well. Aerial photographs show no evidence of the hospital and buildings in the 1950s althought the site is cleared of vegetation.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Low Authenticity: Low

Condition

Site Only

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Wellard Post Office & General Store - Site of

Uses

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Statement of Significance

Historic Value: Site is associated with the early settlement of the Wellard district. Level of significance: Historic site.

Physical Description

The site of the former post office and general store is currently occupied by two recently constructed private residences, on separate adjoining lots. There appear to be no remains of the original structure.

History

Wellard was situated on the south western side of Richardson Swamp and took its name from Wellard Road – the track made by John Wellard on his way to the Serpentine Farm. The small township was joined to Baldivis and Karnup by the Baldivis Road. In the Wellard area were Groups 50 and 54 (Group Settlement Scheme), on either side of the Folly drain. The store and post-office at Wellard was believed to have been established in the early 1920s as one of the first buildings constructed in the proposed Wellard townsite. The building itself was constructed from two houses that were relocated to the site from the Oakford Estate near Byford. It was believed the store was initially owned by a man named Woods, although by 1929, J. Willows was paying rates for a store located on a Wellard town lot, most likely the same place. The post office is believed to have been run by Donald Johnson, the Wellard Post Master, until the demolition of the building in the 1950s.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Low Authenticity: Low

Condition

Site Only

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Dwelling- Post Master's Residence

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Statement of Significance

Aesthetic value: The place has some aesthetic value as a modest but highly intact weatherboard and tile building dating from the 1950s, being a standard State Housing Commission building adapted for use as an office. Historic value: The place is associated with the implementation of the Kwinana Road District Act of 1953, being the first office for the Road Board, and for with the Commissioner of the Kwinana Road Board, Mr Harry McGuigan, who was responsible for the development of Kwinana prior to the establishment of the constitutionally elected Board. The place is associated with the St John Ambulance Association, particularly the Medina branch, which was established in 1956 and operated from the building from the late 1960s. Social value: The place is valued by the community as the site of the first Roads Board Office, as evidenced by the placement of a historic plaque near the front of the building. Representativeness: The building demonstrates the scale of administrative offices in the 1950s for a small local government authority. Level of significance: Considerable

Physical Description

The former Roads Board office comprises a single-storey timber-framed building clad with horizontal timber weatherboards. The roof is a simple gable form clad with terracotta tiles which continues down at the same pitch to form the canopy to the porch area. The building has a simple rectilinear plan, incorporating an entry porch on its southeast corner which is distinguished by its pairs of timber columns and fascia (previously used for the attachment of signage). External timber joinery is largely intact, including the timber fascias, eaves lining boards, the horizontal timber batten boards to the subfloor area and steps up to the entry porch. The original timber-framed casement windows and timber-framed glazed entry door are also intact. The windows are side hung casements with each casement being divided into four panes by horizontal glazing bars. The front entry door is of similar design being a timber framed door with a five-paned obscured glass panel divided by horizontal glazing bars. The building is set back approximately 8 metres from the street boundary, where a large granite boulder is located. A historic plaque is attached to the boulder, inscribed with “ Office – Used as the Commissioner’s Office from 1954-1961, then used as the Roads Board Office until 1963. The state government appointed Mr H L McGuigan as the Commissioner for the (then) new Roads Board District.”

History

On the 18th December 1953, the Western Australian Government passed the Kwinana Road District Act, severing the requisite land for industry and housing from the Rockingham Shire and placing the entire responsibility for the satellite town of Medina and its environs under the direction of one man, Commissioner Harry Lester McGuigan. In his capacity as Commissioner, Harry McGuigan was employed to administer the local government affairs for the first five years, with the Minister for Local Government having the authority to extend the commissioners term of office to seven years. Commissioner McGuigan found himself to be in a challenging situation, on the one hand he was to be the mediator between a huge international petroleum company and the Western Australian Government, while on the other hand he was confronted with the social problems of a new community made up of men and women of different professions, trades and nationalities, transplanted into what was then a new and remote location. The First Roads Board Office was constructed in 1954, comprising a small State Housing dwelling adapted for use as an office. The place was used as the Commissioner’s Office until 1961, at which time the district began to operate under a constitutionally elected Board, the Shire of Kwinana, and Commissioner McGuigan retired. In his outgoing speech, McGuigan identified that the offices were “temporary” and “may not meet the needs of the Board”, however it continued to be used for this purpose until 1963, when the new Council offices were ready. The St John Ambulance Association was first established in Medina in May 1956, following a public meeting at which a working committee of seven was elected. The committee was confronted with the problem of finding a building for the new sub-centre, and also laboured untiringly to acquire an ambulance. A vehicle was donated by BP in 1956 and it is believed that the Association moved into the former Roads Board Office in the late 1960s.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate Authenticity: Moderate-Low

Condition

fair to Good

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