Meekatharra Fire Station (fmr # 1)

Uses

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Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Fire Station (fmr) is significant as one of only five of its type designed by KC Duncan in Western Australia, and for its associations with fire fighters in Meekatharra between c.1930 and 1990.

Physical Description

Single storey timber framed and corrugated iron clad ‘station’ building with a face brick ‘front’. The ‘front’ is symmetrical with face brick and rendered vertical pilasters flanking the central vehicle opening, now bricked up. The pilasters and associated rendered parapet have stepped tops. The main roof is gabled.

History

Meekatharra Fire Station comprises two of the three fire stations buildings constructed for the town. The Meekatharra Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed in 1909 and held their first meeting at the Commonwealth Hotel on 16 August that year. The first fire station was built in 1910 on Lot 371, Reserve 12452, on the corner of High and Hill streets. It was enlarged and improved in 1913, 1915 and 1916. The Brigade consisted of 16 volunteers and their equipment comprised 2 reels and 1,000 feet of hose. In 1936, the fire station was dismantled and sold and replaced with a brick and iron single bay station. In 1936 it was sold for £48 and removed. A new fire station, No. 2, was built on the site to a design by K. C. Duncan. The builder was E. F. Campbell. The single bay station had a face brick facade with raised central parapet. It was one of five built in the State to that design. In 1982, the adjoining lot 370 was added to the fire station site. The combined lots were re-numbered as Lot 998, Reserve 37897. In 1990, the third fire station was built on the vacant portion of the site by Gothic Constructions, who were also responsible for the design. The new station was opened on 8 September 1990. The No. 2 station has been retained and is in use as a storeroom. (Station no 1 is also on HCWA database as 14598, but demolished according to FESA inventory).

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY Moderate degree AUTHENTICITY Moderate to high degree

Condition

Good

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Haynes Butcher Shop

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Haynes Butcher Shop is of considerable significance in demonstrating a continuity of use from 1920s to current in 2012. The timber farmed weatherboard construction retains a high degree of authenticity and is one of few remaining timber clad buildings in the commercial sector of Meekatharra.

Physical Description

Single storey timber framed and weatherboard shop and residence. The shop front under the main hipped roof is symmetrical with a centre door flanked by single pane shop windows. Additions on both sides. The skillion veranda is supported by square timber posts.

History

James Haynes established his butcher shop in the early 1920s and was still listed in the Post Office Directory in 1949.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY High degree AUTHENTICITY High degree

Condition

Good

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Meekatharra Fire Station

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Fire Station (fmr) is significant as one of only five of its type designed by KC Duncan in Western Australia, and for its associations with fire fighters in Meekatharra between c.1930 and 1990.

Physical Description

Single storey timber framed and corrugated iron clad ‘station’ building with a face brick ‘front’. The ‘front’ is symmetrical with face brick and rendered vertical pilasters flanking the central vehicle opening, now bricked up. The pilasters and associated rendered parapet have stepped tops. The main roof is gabled.

History

Meekatharra Fire Station comprises two of the three fire stations buildings constructed for the town. The Meekatharra Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed in 1909 and held their first meeting at the Commonwealth Hotel on 16 August that year. The first fire station was built in 1910 on Lot 371, Reserve 12452, on the corner of High and Hill streets. It was enlarged and improved in 1913, 1915 and 1916. The Brigade consisted of 16 volunteers and their equipment comprised 2 reels and 1,000 feet of hose. In 1936, the fire station was dismantled and sold and replaced with a brick and iron single bay station. In 1936 it was sold for £48 and removed. A new fire station, No. 2, was built on the site to a design by K. C. Duncan. The builder was E. F. Campbell. The single bay station had a face brick facade with raised central parapet. It was one of five built in the State to that design. In 1982, the adjoining lot 370 was added to the fire station site. The combined lots were re-numbered as Lot 998, Reserve 37897. In 1990, the third fire station was built on the vacant portion of the site by Gothic Constructions, who were also responsible for the design. The new station was opened on 8 September 1990. The No. 2 station has been retained and is in use as a storeroom. (Station no 1 is also on HCWA database as 14598, but demolished according to FESA inventory).

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY Moderate degree AUTHENTICITY Moderate to high degree

Condition

Good

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House, 126 Hill Street

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House, 133 Hill Street

Uses

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Meekatharra Fire Station (fmr No 2)

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Fire Station (fmr) is significant as one of only five of its type designed by KC Duncan in Western Australia, and for its associations with fire fighters in Meekatharra between c.1930 and 1990.

Physical Description

Single storey timber framed and corrugated iron clad ‘station’ building with a face brick ‘front’. The ‘front’ is symmetrical with face brick and rendered vertical pilasters flanking the central vehicle opening, now bricked up. The pilasters and associated rendered parapet have stepped tops. The main roof is gabled.

History

Meekatharra Fire Station comprises two of the three fire stations buildings constructed for the town. The Meekatharra Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed in 1909 and held their first meeting at the Commonwealth Hotel on 16 August that year. The first fire station was built in 1910 on Lot 371, Reserve 12452, on the corner of High and Hill streets. It was enlarged and improved in 1913, 1915 and 1916. The Brigade consisted of 16 volunteers and their equipment comprised 2 reels and 1,000 feet of hose. In 1936, the fire station was dismantled and sold and replaced with a brick and iron single bay station. In 1936 it was sold for £48 and removed. A new fire station, No. 2, was built on the site to a design by K. C. Duncan. The builder was E. F. Campbell. The single bay station had a face brick facade with raised central parapet. It was one of five built in the State to that design. In 1982, the adjoining lot 370 was added to the fire station site. The combined lots were re-numbered as Lot 998, Reserve 37897. In 1990, the third fire station was built on the vacant portion of the site by Gothic Constructions, who were also responsible for the design. The new station was opened on 8 September 1990. The No. 2 station has been retained and is in use as a storeroom. (Station no 1 is also on HCWA database as 14598, but demolished according to FESA inventory).

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY Moderate degree AUTHENTICITY Moderate to high degree

Condition

Good

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Commercial Hotel

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Commercial Hotel demonstrates significant social significance as one of several hotels in Meekatharra providing hospitality for almost 100 years. The strong presence in the main street gives the place landmark qualities.

Physical Description

The double storey hotel has a full double verandah frontage to the main street in Meekatharra. Although much of the original verandah detail of the first floor balustrade and ground floor valance has been replaced with colorbond cladding, the ground floor frontage evidences the balanced openings of arched windows and rectangular doorways. The front face stone has been rendered over, although the sides reveal the face stone. The main parapet is simple with a central strip flanked by two more dominant rectangular elements with the hotel name inscribed. The first floor verandah has corresponding gable details each end. The verandah posts have been replaced with round steel poles but still detailed in pairs over the end elements.

History

New building in 1916 replaced original construction.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High degree Authenticity: Moderate to high degree

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Commonwealth Hotel (fmr)

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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History

The Railway Hotel was originally known as the Commonwealth and was owned by Tom Ryan who established the Fenian Mine. The Hotel was built in 1907 and closed c.1970, being the first of Meekatharra’s hotels to go under. Hotel function ceased c.1970.

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General Store

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Gerick's Newsagency & Lloyds Store (fmr)

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Gerick’s Newsagency & Lloyds Store (fmr) has some significance for the associations with the early history of Meekatharra town and many retailers and other service functions over the years.

Physical Description

Single storey shops with front verandahs. Considerable interventions to originals.

History

The section of Main Street that is occupied by Lloyd’s Outback Centre was originally the site of a number of separate smaller business premises, which included Lloyd's general store, Alf Sallur’s chemist shop, Gerick’s newsagency, a saddler’s premises, Jim McMillan’s betting shop and McAleers’ general store. Lil Gerick married Evan Lloyd and the businesses seemed to mix & merge a little. Evan Lloyd opened Lloyd's general store in 1948 and it was taken over by his son John in 1968. In 1971, John extended the store to take in the businesses down to and including McAleers and turned the business into a self service supermarket, the first such in the Murchison. In 1983, Gerick’s newsagency building was destroyed by fire and Lloyds took over the site and expanded. In 1994, Lloyd’s Store, with a 50-metre street frontage, included a hardware store, newsagency and bookshop, ladies’ and mens’ clothing, shoe shop and a general grocery supermarket.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY Moderate degree AUTHENTICITY Low degree

Condition

Fair

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Haine St Pierre Steam Locomotive 0-4-0T

Parent Place or Precinct

01533 Main Street Streetscape

Uses

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Main Street Streetscape

Child Places

• 16620 Haine St Pierre Steam Locomotive 0-4-0T

Uses

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Meekatharra Bakery

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Not sure if the existing is associated with the historical. Meekatharra Bakery represents associations with the development of food services in town.

Physical Description

The existing bakery comprises several single storey buildings.

History

Frederick Davis is listed as a baker at Meekatharra in 1905, but in 1908 W. J. Howard and C. O. Jackson had both established their bakeries and Davis was no longer to be found. Jackson's bakery was a stone building distinctive among the timber-framed iron clad structures that predominated in the town at that time. Jackson had left Meekatharra by 1915 and Howard by 1920. Another bakery business was the Pioneer Bakery, on the corner beside the Royal Mail Hotel. This business included Haymes dining rooms.

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Meekatharra War Memorial Swimming Pool

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Meekatharra War Memorial Swimming Pool is a significant place of recreational activities in an isolated regional town and demonstrates a sense of place for many events that have taken place. Associated with the commemoration of World War Two, and later the Vietnam War, the place holds particular meaning.

Physical Description

The entry building is a single storey face brick pavilion structure with horizontal emphasis. The building is set back from the street with a grassed area.

History

In 1949, town lots 48, 49, 50, 739 and 743 were combined as Lot 840 and gazetted Reserve 22974 for the purpose of swimming pool, park and gardens. A small plaque inside the building is inscribed with the names of men who served in World War Two and Vietnam.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree Moderate degree

Condition

Good

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MMA Office (fmr)

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

MMA Office (fmr) is significant for its association with Western Australia’s original airline Mac Robertson Miller Airlines (MMA) and the role Meekatharra played in the regional air service.

Physical Description

Single storey symmetrical gable shopfront with a side skillion addition. A skillion verandah with square timber posts extends across the entire frontage.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate degree

Condition

Fair

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Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) base

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The Royal Flying Doctor Building represents associations with the provision of essential health and transport services in the isolated regional area of Meekatharra.

Physical Description

The single storey concrete building with security screened aluminium framed windows is domestic in scale and appearance with a simple hipped roof that extends over a front and side verandah supported by slender steel posts. It is set back from the road behind a low fence and grassed area.

History

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Base opened in Meekatharra in 1945. The Base was established by fundraising efforts of local residents with contributions of wool, gymkhanas and sports days. Before the new organisation could afford its own plane a local pilot and owner of a Tiger Moth worked under charter. Government subsidies arrived later to assist with ongoing costs. When the Meekatharra RFDS eventually obtained its own plane the hangar at the Meekatharra airport was a mine winder shed transported from Wiluna. In December 2008, a new base was installed at the airport adjacent to the RFDS hangar facilities. RFDS (Western Operations) has three medical officers who work from the Meekatharra Hospital. The Service has two aircraft, five pilots and five flight nurses as well as the doctors. There are no other doctors in Meekatharra or within a radius of approximately 200 kms. The RFDS Medical Officers handle RFDS aerial clinics, aerial medical evacuations and in-patient and outpatient care at the Meekatharra Hospital. Their public health role is worked in conjunction with the local community health nurses.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY High degree AUTHENTICITY High degree

Condition

Good

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Meekatharra Picture Gardens

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Meekatharra Picture Gardens is significant as a rare remaining outdoor picture gardens in Western Australia, and as a social venue for generations of the communities of Meekatharra and surrounding areas.

Physical Description

The site is enclosed with a vertical configured corrugated iron fence. The central front entry is double storey with the entry at ground level with the bio box above. A free standing steel framed screen is located at the rear of the fenced area.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY High degree AUTHENTICITY Moderate to high degree

Condition

Fair

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Royal Mail Hotel

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Royal Mail Hotel demonstrates significant social significance as one of several hotels in Meekatharra providing continued hospitality. The strong presence in the main street gives the place landmark qualities.

Physical Description

The double storey hotel has a full double verandah frontage to the main street in Meekatharra. The first floor verandah has a full width bullnose verandah, lattice balustrade that is replicated on the valance below, and simple bracketed posts. The ground floor frontage evidences the balanced rectangular openings of windows and doorways. The face stone has been rendered (or painted) over. The front parapet extends across the entire frontage in a series of bays infilled with Italianate balustrade detail. The ground floor verandah posts have been replaced with round steel poles.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY High degree AUTHENTICITY Moderate to high degree

Condition

Good

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Darrigans House

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Paddy Darrigan was one of two blacksmith's who worked in Meekatharra. Darrigan arrived in Meekatharra in the early 1920's and was still listed in the Post Office Directory in 1949. The smithy no longer exists.

Physical Description

Single storey bungalow with a high pitched hipped corrugated iron roof that encompasses the surrounding verandah.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate Degree Authenticity: Moderate Degree

Condition

Fair

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Rinaldi's Buildings

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Rinaldi’s Buildings represent the entrepreneurial spirit of the town’s development and associations with Rinaldi.

Physical Description

Single storey face block building with quoined openings. The Shop fronts flank the truncated street corner entry and additions including residential, face along the High Street frontage.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY Moderate degree AUTHENTICITY Moderate degree

Condition

Fair-good

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