St James' Anglican Church, Moora

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place demonstrates sgnoficant associations with Moora identities, and the anglican religion. The place is a significant element in the character and townscape of Moora. The place represents a fine example of wrok of the Architect and Builder.

Physical Description

St James Church Gothic Style building is built of stone quarried at DW Griffiths' property, iron roof and timber floor. It was designed by W.A. Nelson a Perth architect, erected by a local builder D.W. Griffiths and consecrated by Archbishop Riley in 1911. The west end was originally of timber construction and was replaced by stone in 1954, when a porch was added.

History

Reverend FW Gunning was the parish Deacon for Moora Parish in 1909, as was the ordained Priest in 1910 and became the first Rector for Moora. He established the church choir, Sunday School and stayed until 1921.He later spent several years in the Fremantle parish. He stayed with the Padbury's at Koojan whn he travelled to Moora, and conducted services in the Koojan Schoolhouse or th Moora Agricultural Hall. As early as 1908 a collection had been started for the church. It was first intended to build a smal brick brick building near the Roberts Road Bridge, and the government donated the land for the purpose. After the death of Walter Padbury, it was proposed that the echurch be a memorial to him. The Church of England synod agreed, a dn a larger building on a larger site was proposed. The church was named St James after the church at Stonyfield in England where Walter Padbury had been baptised. The government initially refused another site but finally agreed to the style and size of the proposed new church being relvent to the new site. The synod contributed 600 pounds to purchase the two blocks adjacent to the Agricultural Hall. On the 11th March 1911 Loton laid the first stone. The churchwas consecrated on the 15th November 1911 by the Bishop of Perth, Reverend Riley, whose son farmed at Berkshire Valley. In 1950 urgent repairs were needed on the west wall which had been designed and constructed sa a temporary measure to allow another bay. In 1954 a new west was with a porch and a baptistry were constructed. The Hamilton Family donated 800 pounds as a memorial to their son and others lost in World War II. It is the site of the canvas hospital during the 1909/11 diptheria epidemic in Moora.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact Authenticity: High Degree

Condition

Good

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St John The Baptist Church (R.C.)

Condition

Maintenance has taken place over a period of many years. However, the long term effects of the flood damage and the lack of regular programmed maintenance and limited financial resources is becoming evident. Overall St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Moora is in fair to good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place demonstrates significant associations with New Norcia, the Moora community and the development of the catholic Church in Moora.

Physical Description

A single storey local iron-stone building with corrugated iron roof, designed with vernacular ecclesiastical characteristics showing some influence of the Federation Gothic architectural style. The quoins and buttresses are built with red brick. The gable parapet on the street frontage is detailed with a circular vent and a moulded parapet edge. The skillion additions at the rear is constructed of red face brick.The stone walls of local stone were quarried at the builder's property.

History

Religion until 1903 Moora was under the Diocese of Perth. At tht time the parish of New Norcia was formed and Father Alcalde arrived on 6 May 1905. Within one week he convened a meeting about a church, but agreement was not reached with regard to the site. Finally from 1907 intensive fund raising got underway, with a Ba;; and Grand Bazaar, Victoria Plains race Day and st Patrick's Sports day at the Moora Showground. The building commenced in November 1908, and cost 735 pounds. It was blessed by Lord Abbott Torres, who also laid the foundation stone, on the 15th August 1909. The alter was am git from Casella of New Norcia. By 1914 Father john Carroll had raised sufficient funds to rent a Presbytery House and became the first resident priest in Moora.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: intact or redeemable Authenticity: High Degree

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Moora Post Office & Quarters

Parent Place or Precinct

11238 Moora Town Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place demonstrates associations witht he telecommunications f the region and associated persons during the development of Moora. It also had associations with prominent architectural example of their work. It is significant element in the street scape and townscape of Moora.

Physical Description

Moora Post Office and Quarters, a single-storey local stone and corrugated iron residence (1896) and adjoining post office (1912) in the Federation Free style. The interior has been modernised. 1896 cost 683 pounds, 1912 cost 1436 pounds. A shed was added in 1911 and major extensions in 1912.

History

a post Office opened in Moora on 1st october 1894. It was a direct result of the railway coming thorugh Moora. It was opened by Elizabeth Hall. On 2nd September 1896, the official Post Office was built and telegraph operations commenced. In 1905, the phone was connected to Walebing (a morse repeater station). With the advent of the Forrest Government, and the increased activity in communications and development in the Moora area. Extensions were made to the post office. In 1912, the original post office became the residence and a new Post office was constructed on the same site.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact or Redeemable Authenticity: High Degree

Condition

Good

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Moora Town Hall

Parent Place or Precinct

11238 Moora Town Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place demonstrates associations with pioneers and civic identities in the formation of Moora. The site represents associations with war, civl emergency and the social events of the town.

Physical Description

The entire place is a brick constructon with a gable corrugated iron roof. The front secton is the entry foyer, former offices and associated spaces, behind which is located the hall. The front is classical in proportion with the central entry portico protruding from the front facade. Double classical columns support the portico's rendered pediment with the name detailed. The building corners are quoined with render in contrast to the majority face brick. The bricks and sandstone were from DW Griffiths property. The army building ws a concrete brick construction with a corrugated asbestos roof.

History

The Town Hall is the second Town Hall (see ref 72). It was opened by the Minister of Works WD Johnson on 11th June 1913. The opening ceremony was introdueced by a luncheon at the Moora Hotel and followed by a ball in the evening. A fire in April 1922, destroyed records and the insureance had lasped. From 1921, when the England Brothers staged a show to rase money for the hospital, the annual Hospital Ball was a popular and successful social event. "Sheridan's band" of locals entertained. During the 1930's church meetings were held in the Lesser hall. In 1932, a badminton club was formed and played weekly. During World War II, the army has a considerablee presence in the Moor aarea. An amenities hall was constructed south of the Town Hall. The Army Hall was soon use as a kitchen facility as the Town Hall di not have one. In 1962, the Moora and Dandaragan Shires formed the Civil Defence Unit in response tot he Federal Government's alarm at the possibilty of a nuclear war. The Shire allocated the use of the Amenities Hall as the Headquarters. Welfare centres were established. By 1977, the threat had diminished, but the communities were ready for local emergencies and the Moora SES was formed in 1983 and relocated to another site. The Army Hall was demolished in 1984.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact or Redeemable Authenticity: Medium Degree

Condition

Good

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Walebing

Statement of Significance

Walebing has value as a precinct, or a collection of buildings the individual use of which illustrates the way of life and operation of a rural station as an entity. Walebing is significant for its rarity. There is unlikely to be found in Western Australia the same combination of various uses of buildings grouped together in a homogenous and well-preserved entity.

Physical Description

An extensive complex of stone farmhouses and outbuilding with corrugated iron roofs (not original). The 1880 homestead is constructed of locally quarried stone and timber from a forrest 72 kms away, bricks fired on site. A verandah surrounds the homestead which faces south over the valley. The roof was originally shingles. A large underground water tank was filled by the roof drainage system. The barn 1859/60- the mill is in the south end.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place demonstrates significant associations with pioneer identities of the Moora region. It demonstrates associations with convicts and communication. The construction and labour is significant as one of the few examples in the region and certinly the most comprehensive farm complex of the period.

Physical Description

An extensive complex of stone farmhouses and outbuilding with corrugated iron roofs (not original). the 1880 homestead is constructed of locally quarried stone and timber from a forrest 72 kms away, bricks fired on site. A verandah surrounds the homestead which faces south over the valley. The roof was originally shingles. A large underground water tank was filled by the roof drainage system. The barn 1859/60- the mill is in the south end.

History

In 1842, brothers Gerald de Courcey and Anthony O'Gardy lefroy arrived in the colony and by 1844, were building their assets in Spring Hill. In 1846, G Lefroy arranged a squatting license for 80,000 acres at "Walebing" which was taken up for the purposes of providing grazing country for their stock. The base operation was moved to "Victoria Downs" (Bolgart) while the new property at Walebing was developed. AO Lefroy took up the lease in 1846 and acquired the freehold to Loc 9 (11acres) and Loc 12 (20 acres) in 1853 and 1856 respectively. The first dwelling on the property was a basic shelter built by the brothrs in 1846. Shortage of labour was a problem, but the Lefroy brothers were of the opinion that convict labour would have to be imported. In May 1850, the first convicts arrived in the Swan River colony. Convict labour was responsible for most of the stone buildings at Walebing. The second dwelling was built of local stone in 1851 with convict labour under the direction of Gerald Lefroy. In 1852/53, Gerald handed his interest in the property to Anthony who was at that time the secretary to the Governor of the Swan River Colony. The brother's partnership dissolved in 1855 and G Lefroy took a consignment of horses to India in 1856 for his father-in-law WL Brockman. A Lefroy continued to live in Perth and John Joyce managed the Walebing property until the 1870's when Anthony's only surviving son Henry Bruce Lefroy took over and Joyce became the first settler in Bind Bindi in 1874. Henry Bruce Lefroy took over the property after he completed his education in England. In 1872, he was elected to the Victoria Plains Road Board and was Chairman in 1876. His friend Bishop Salvado, supported his appointment of Justice of the Peace at aged 21. In 1879 he captained and coached the aboriginal cricket team at New Norcia and successfully toured Perth. He was involved in the formation of the Moora Roads Board and the inaugural Chairman from 1909 until 1917, as well as the chairman of the Moora Districts Hospital Board. In 1892, he entered pollitics as the first member for the Moora Electorate in the Legislative council. He was minister for Education in the Forrest Government and between 1901 and 1904 he was Agent General for Western Australia in London. His wife Rose (nee Wittenoom) died in London leaving him three sons. He remarried Madeline Walford in 1904, amd had two sons and a daughter with her. He was Premier of Western Australia between 1917-1919. In 1867 the mail route from Perth to Geraldton was diverted inland from the coastal stock route to cater for the settlers along the inland route, including New Norcia, Walebing, Berkshire Valley and Marah (Watheroo). In 1873, constuction began on a continuous telegraph line from Toodyay to Geraldton, and Walebing and Berkshire Valley both original mail exchanges were turned into telegraph offices. Family members were taught morse code and operated the telephone exchange. In 1875, George Clarke sent a dispatch from the Walebing telegraph office to Perth to inform them of Earnest Giles arrival in Western Australia. GA Walpole was the first telegraph operator. In 1888, Walebing was one of the mail change-over points, and this continued after the railway went through to Moora. The mail would be coached to Walebing twice a week and distributed to further destinations. This practise continued until the official Post Office and Telegraph office was constructed in 1895 and opened in 1896.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity; iIntact or redeemable Authenticity: High Degree

Condition

Good

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