Marah Benedictine settlement

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Statement of Significance

The site represents a way of life and significant associations with the new Norcia Bendictine Monks and different uses of the land over time. It was the only communication point in the regiom until the railway came through.

Physical Description

A sign on Marah Road identifies the marah school site. There are stone ruins of that building evident. Olive trees and wells. 2 storey house Bakery School Church

History

James Oliver took up the "Marah" lease some years prior to 1851 when Joseph Purser of Gingin took it over. Purser travelled up the tracks of Lefroy and Clinch, through to Marah. Marah means black duck in the aboriginal language. In the 1860's Purser held extensive pastoral leases, he died in 1867, and his executors; John York and Thomas Elliot, entered into an agreemant with the Benedicitine community to purchase the lease. The Benedictine Monks from New Norcia took over the property in 1868 and established it as an independant pastoral outstation. The 44,000 acres with 3000 sheep was managed by Tom Sweetman. Three of four brothers (monks) provided written weekly reports and assisted by aboriginal workmen, they shepherded and constructed wells and fences to protect the sheep at night. They were stationed there and ran the property. Couch grass was cultivated for sheep fodder and to bind the waterholes. In 1869, Bishop Salvado returned from Rome and went to Marah to plan the buildings. A two story house with adjacent kitchen and store, several stone sheds and a large mud and straw shed. The monks constructed all the buildings using burnt lime on site, in the paddock now called "the lime kiln paddock". In 1867, the mail route from Perth to Geraldton was diverted inland from the coastal stock route to cater for settlers along the inland route. It was surveyed by Alexander Forrest in 1870, passing through New Norcia, Walebing, Berkshire Valley, Marah, Coorow, Carnamah, and onto Geraldton. It soon became a weekly mail service along the route and continued until 1894 when the railway took over the contract. In 1873, construction began on a continuation of the telegraph line from Toodyay to Geraldton and Walebing, Berkshire Valley and Marah, which were mail exchanges, also became telegraph offices. residents were taught morse code and operated the telecommunicaions link with the outside world. The Bishops from New Norcia visited Marah and often held services at various places along the journey to Marah from New Norcia. In 1910, Charlei baker set up a blacksmith shop in the Marah workshop (a slab building on the west bank of the Marah Creek). In 1912, the Marah School opened in the Benedictine Chapel (mud brick plastered inside and out) at the settlement. Miss Eva Crain, the teacher opened with 22 students, including the Butler children who travelled from namban Mission Farm where their father was the manager. The school closed in 1920.

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Watheroo CWA Rooms

Uses

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Statement of Significance

The pace represents associations with the CWA and rural women.

Physical Description

Timber framed cottage with weatherboard dado and fibro sheeting above. The gable roof extends over the front verandah which has dado height fibro cement and timebr posts.

Condition

Good

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Watheroo School

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place demonstrates a way of life and the site represents an evolution of ediucation in Watheroo.

Physical Description

The irmber framed building has weatherboard cladding to dado height with fibro cement above. The hipped roof is clad with corrugated iron. The building is raised from the ground on timber stumps.

History

The school started on this site in 1914. Fred Gurr built the first school and Eva Crain formerly of the Marah School, was the first teacher. By 1950, with the advent of the school buses picking up children from areas outside Watehroo town, the numbers of students increade to 21. The former Kuja School was relocated to this site and in 1953, the nearby teachers quarters were constructed. By 1955/56, 71 students attended the shcool. In 1959, new classrooms and offices were constructed, to replace the original building, which was demolished in 1967 due to it's unsafe condition.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact or Redeemable Authenticity: High Degree

Condition

Good

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Watheroo Railway Precinct

Parent Place or Precinct

01610 Watheroo Railway Station Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place demonstrates a way of life associated with railway transport in an agricultural area.

History

In 1886 the railway from Midland to walkaway (Geraldton) was instigated when the government signed a contract with the Waddington Syndicate, which was the land agreement for the railway line construction. By 1890 financial problems resulted in the float of the Midland Railway Company of Western Australia, which was given more time to raise funds to complete the railway line. Small sections of the line opened as early as 1891 and the entire line opened 1st November 1984. The station opened in 1894 as the Watheroo Springs Station, but in 1895, the "Springs" was dropped from the name. The station development was vital to the subsequent development of the surrounding region. It was a depot station. The Stationmaster was also the Postmaster. Wheat Bin 1938, with the introduction of bulk handling, wheat bins were constructed throughout the wheatbelt. In 1938 the Watheroo bin was constructed and open for the 1939/40 season for deliveries of oats and wheat. Railway Houses During World War II, special trains were run for the army base near Mingenew. The station was constructed in conjunction with the railway line. Of the original nine stations along the line, only Gingin and Watheroo remain.

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Watheroo Railway Station

Parent Place or Precinct

01610 Watheroo Railway Station Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place represent s a pivotal element in the development of the railways and Watheroo.

Physical Description

Railway Station, Quarters and Dining Room: The railway station is a 16 inch think standard red brick construction with rendered brick quoins and reveal linings with splayed soldier course brick arches over. The roof is standard galvanised corrugated iron with gable ends having gable post and beam support. The platform verandah is roofed with CGI having shaped vertical valance boards and construction drawings indicated stop chamfered beams, rails and posts. Platform: The platform is important as the Midland Railway Company station buildings are believed to be the first designs in WA to include extensive platform verandahs. Considerable Construction has taken place adjoining the street side of the station but the platform elevation has remained intact. c.1940's detached office; Face red brick construction with a gable roof which was originally corrugated galvanised iron but has been replace with full length sheets of corrugated colourbond sheeting. A verandah cover the platform and south sides of the building. the platform side has two sets of double doors.

History

In 1886, the railway from Midland to Walkaway was instigated when the government signed a contract with the Waddington Syndicate, which was a land agreement for the railway line construction. By 1890, financial problems resulted in the float of the Midland Railway Company of Western Australia, which was given more time to raise funds to complete the railway line. Small sections of the line opened as early as 1891 and the entire line opened on 1st November 1894. The station opened in 1894, as the Watheroo Springs Station, but in 1895, the "Springs" was dropped from the name. The station development was vital to the subsequent development of the surrounding region. The station was constructed in conjunction with the railway line. Of the original nine stations along the line, only Gingin and Watheroo still remain and Watheroo is more substantial than the Gingin station. It was a depot station where coal and water supplies were provided and the crews were changed. The station became a change crew station, with crew quarters and a depot for loco maintenance. Fettlers were located at Watheroo for railway maintenance and length runners. the stationmaster was also the post master. The York Brothers were the first people in Watheroo who were not railway workers. The sons of John York of Gingin who was subsequently the executor of Marah Mission, the brothers were kangaroo shooters until 1900, when they took over the refreshment room and railway station. The three brothers; George, Murray and Walter, and sisters ran the place until 1907, the station, in conjunction with farming activities, building stone houses on their various properties. In 1907, the station was made an allowance post office and Mr W Thomasett was in charge in his capacity of Night Stationmaster. In 1916, Billy Brennand took over the post office and ran the road mail service until the early 1930'. During World War II, special trains were run for the army base near Mingenew..

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact or Redeemable Authenticity: High Degree

Condition

Good

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Watheroo Railway Station Precinct

Child Places

• 23827 Watheroo Loco and Goods Shed
• 23946 Watheroo Railway Precinct
• 24509 Watheroo Railway Station

Values

• The place is rare as a modest, single storey railway station made from brick in Western Australia.
• The place is the remnants of a larger complex that has the potential to provide elements of archaeological or historic importance.
• The place is a representative example of the original 1894 railway line from Midland to Walkaway, that was further developed during World War Two.

Physical Description

The National Trust Classification documentation and Laura Gray State: Railway Station, Quarters and Dining Room The railway station is a 16 inch think standard red brick construction with rendered brick quoins and reveal linings with splayed soldier course brick arches over. The roof is standard galvanised corrugated iron with gable ends having gable post and beam support. The platform verandah is roofed with CGI having shaped vertical valance boards and construction drawings indicated stop chamfered beams, rails and posts. The posts were top braced with iron brackets. Windows are depicted as double hung timber framed, the major windows facing the platform being bay windows in three bays. Floors were timber with 7x2 inch joists. A 1960s extension is across the entire street frontage of the original railway station, concealing the railway station from view, except the gable ends of the roof. However the west view from the west side of the railway line shows that the platform side of the station remains intact. Platform The platform is important as the Midland Railway Company station buildings are believed to be the first designs in WA to include extensive platform verandahs. Shed The engine shed has a five bay reinforced concrete frame and perimeter beam above opening height repeated internally as trusses and externally as gables. Infilling is red brick from floor to underside of perimeter beams, with a three bay red brick monitor on the roof. The roof is low pitched, windows steel framed with no glazing remaining. An ancillary building nearby echoes the concrete frame of the engine shed, but is executed in red brick. Bothbuildings appear to be roofed in asbestos cement, with rainwater goods in a similar material.

History

The Shire of Moora Municipal Inventory States: In 1886 the railway from Midland to Walkaway was instigated when the government signed a contract with the Waddington Syndicate, which was a land agreement for the railway line construction. By 1890 financial problems resulted in the float of the Midland Railway Company of Western Australia, which was given more time to raise funds to complete the railway line. Small sections of the line opened as early as 1891 and the entire line opened on 1st November 1894. The station opened in 1894 as the Watheroo Springs Station, but in 1895 the ‘Springs’ was dropped from the name. The station development was vital to the subsequent development of the surrounding region. It was a depot station. The stationmaster was also the postmaster.’’ ‘Of the original nine stations along the line only Gingin and Watheroo still remain and Watheroo is more substantial than the Gingin station. It was a depot station, where coal and water supplies were provided, and the crews were changed. The Station became a change depot, with crews quarters and a depot for locomotive maintenance. Fettlers were located at Watheroo for railway maintenance and length runners.’ ‘The York Brothers were the first people in Watheroo who were not railway workers. The sons of John York of Gingin, who was subsequently the executor of Marah Mission, the brothers were kangaroo shooters until 1900, when they took over the refreshment room and railway station. The three brothers; George, Murray and Walter and sisters ran the place until 1907, in conjunction with farming activities, building stone houses on their various properties. In 1907, the station was made an allowance post office and Mr W. Thomasett was in charge in his capacity of Night Stationmaster. In 1916, Billy Brennand took over the post office and ran the road mail service until the early 1930s.’ The Railway station was built by Gustave Liebe.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity- Moderate Authenticity- High

Condition

Good Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Watheroo Cemetery

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site commemorates the early settlers in Watheroo.

History

Henry Elphick was the night Stationmaster at the Watheroo Railway Station between 1913 and 1915. His 15 year old daughter died in 1914 and wa the first person in the Watheroo Cemetary.

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Watheroo Loco and Goods Shed

Parent Place or Precinct

01610 Watheroo Railway Station Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place represents a pivotal element in the develoment of Watheroo and demonstrates associations with war time Australia and changes in rail transport technology.

Physical Description

Loco shed: Concrete structural frame delineates the five bays infilled with red face bricks. The roof is a low pitched gabel structure with a monitor roof along the three centre bays of the building. The three centre bays of each fo the side walls have steel framed windows with glazing no longer in place. The roof is constructed of corrugated fibro cement sheeting. Goods Shed: Red face brick construction on a domestic scale, with a low pitch corrugated fibro cment roof.

History

In 1886 the railway from Midland to Walkaway was instigated when the government signed a contract with the Waddington Syndicate, but by 1890 financial problems resulted in the float of the Midland railway Company of Western Austarlaia, who subsequently completed the line ad opened it on 1st November 1894. The station developmen was vital to the subsequent development of the surrounding region. The station became a depot for loco maintenancee and during World War II special trains were trun for the army base near Mingenew. During that time the locomotoive shed was constructed. The shed is currently used as a truck depot.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact or Redeemable Authenticity: High Degree

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Watheroo Observatory

Values

The place is rare as an observatory in Western Australia.

The place is representative of an American Institution set up in Australia for the purpose of science investigation.

The place is associated with the Carnegie Institution, a scientific research institution, as it was established by the Institute in 1919 and subsequently used as an observatory until 1947.

Physical Description

Watheroo observatory is set back a hundred metres from Watheroo West Road (mostly gravel), with a Eucalyptus tree lined gravel drive at a diagonal direct from the road to the dwelling. Watheroo Observatory comprises a group of buildings dominated by a double volume timber framed and weatherboard clad dwelling. The dominant building has a perimeter verandah at ground floor level, and a high-pitched gable roof into which a number of dormer windows have been inserted along both sides. Adjacent to the dwelling there are at least two weatherboard outbuildings, each with gable roofs. Approximately 100 metres to the north east of the dwelling there appears to be a smaller scale dwelling, also weatherboard, with a hipped corrugated iron roof.

History

Carnegie Institution states: ‘Andrew Carnegie founded the Carnegie Institution of Washington in 1902 as an organisation for scientific discovery. His intention was for the institution to be home to exceptional individuals—men and women with imagination and extraordinary dedication capable of working at the cutting edge of their fields. The Carnegie Institution’s has six Research Departments; Department of Embryology, Geophysical Laboratory, Department of Global Ecology, Department of Plant Biology, Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, and the Observatories in Pasadena, California, and Las Campanas, Chile.’ Two years after the Carnegie Institution of Washington was formed in 1902, Louis Bauer, a scientist studying the Earth's magnetic field, was selected by the board of trustees to form the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism (DTM). Bauer was a man with big ambitions: he wanted to map the geomagnetic field of the entire Earth. Under his direction, "observers," as they were called, made worldwide expeditions to gather magnetic field data. They trekked through some of the remote regions of the planet. The department also commissioned a ship, the Carnegie, fashioned primarily of non-magnetic parts, to map the oceans' magnetic field. By 1929, DTM researchers had collected volumes of data that were used to correct navigational charts and quantify the mysterious temporal variations in the geomagnetic field. The work was completed, and the department turned its attention to other questions. Watheroo Observatory was visited by the Crew of the Cranegie, The Shire of Moora Municipal Inventory States: ‘Dr John A. Fleming was instrumental in choosing the site, away from ironstone deposits. This site was very sandy and the shortage of water created problems. The observatory, established by the Carnegie Institution, as a magnetic observatory to study sun spot activity in 1919. The Carnegie Institution of Washington was established by Andrew Carnegie (1835 – 1919) a Scottish born steel industrialist who established a number of foundations and endowments for education and research. The Carnegie Institute approached the French Government who had contracted custom built crawler tractors from the Citroen Car Company. Those vehicles did the first motorized crossing of the Sahara Desert. The French Government granted the Institute one of the tractors and it was used on this site until it burnt out in 1928.’ ‘The Carnegie Institution carried out a program of observations in terrestrial magnetism and electricity and ionospheric research.’ ‘In 1931, the Observatory Golf Club was established.’ ‘In 1947 the Observatory was transferred as a gift to the Australian Commonwealth Government, and the Commonwealth Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics operated and maintained the observatory.’ ‘By the late 1950’s the Department was having difficulty maintaining the Observatory as a residential establishment and considered moving the observatory to a metropolitan site, to benefit the staff, by way of closer contact with the scientific workers at the university and other establishments. In 1955, a site was selected at the Gnangara Pine Plantation, for magnetic observations and another at Mundaring Weir, for ionospheric and seismological observations. A site office was located at the Mundaring town. The Gnangara station was completed in 1956 and observations and recordings paralleled those of the Watheroo station recordings in July 1957 and the Gnangara Observatory took over magnetic observations on 31st January 1959 followed by Mundaring taking over the other activities on 18 march 1959.’

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity- Low Authenticity- Moderate

Condition

Sound

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place represents significant associations with international scientific associations. It is unique in Australia.

Physical Description

Watheroo observatory is set back a hundred metres from Watheroo West Road, with a Eucalyptus tree lined gravel drive at a diagonal direct from the road to the dwelling. Watheroo Observatory comprises a group of buildings dominated by a double volume timber framed and weatherboard clad dwelling. The dominant building has a perimeter verandah at ground floor level, and a high-pitched gable roof into which a number of dormer windows have been inserted along both sides. Adjacent to the dwelling there are at least two weatherboard outbuildings, each with gable roofs. Approximately 100 metres to the north east of the dwelling there appears to be a smaller scale dwelling, also weatherboard, with a hipped corrugated iron roof.

History

Dr John A Fleming was instrumental in choosing the site, (W Parkinson took a long time to select the site) away from iron deposits. This site was very sandy and the shortage of water created problems. The Observatory was established by the Carnegie Institution as a magnetic observatory to study sun spot activity in 1919. The Carnegie Institution of Washington was established by Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) a Scottish born steel industrialist who established a number of foundations and endowments for education and research. The Carnegie Institute approached the French Government, who had contracted custom built crawler tractors from the Citroen Car Company. Those vehicles did the first motorised crossing of the Sahara Desert. The French Government granted the Institute one of the tractors and it was used on this site until it burnt out in 1928. The Carnegie Institution carried out a programme of observations in terrestrial magnetism and electricity and ionospheric research. In 1931, the Observatory Golf Club was established. In 1947, the Observatory was transferred as a gift to the Australian Commonwealth Government, and the Commonwealth Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics operated and maintained the observatory. By the late 1950's the department was having difficulty maintaining the observatory as a residential establishment and considered moving the observatory to a metropolitan site, to benefit the staff by way of closer contact with the scientific workers at the university and other establishments. In 1955, a site was chosen at Gnangara Pine Plantation, for magnetic observations and another at Mundaring Weir, for ionospheric and seismological observations. A site office was located at Mundaring Town. The Gnangara station was completed in 1956 and observations and recordings paralelled those of the Watheroo station recordings in July 1957, and the Gnangara Observatory took over magnetic observations on 31st January 1959, followed by the Mundaring station taking the over activites on 18th March 1959. The place is now privately owned.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact or Redeemable Authenticity: High Degree

Condition

Fair

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