Narembeen Public Hall

Parent Place or Precinct

03629 Narembeen Civic Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The Narembeen Public Hall is important to the community's sense of place as it can demonstrate the pivotal role it played in the social and cultural life, for over half a century, in the lives of the Narembeen community. It demonstrates the diversity of social and cultural activities in the social and community development of Narembeen. It represents a time of prosperity and enthusiasm in the region. The site demonstrates a close association with the pioneers of Narembeen, the CWA, and Australia at war. The place demonstrates a cohesive streetscape of a "civic precinct" and is a distinctive corner landmark and contributes to the townscape character. The Narembeen Public Hall is a unique architectural example of the period.

Physical Description

The Narembeen Public Hall has been designed specifically to address the prominent intersection at which it is located, and is dominant within a Civic precinct which comprises the Road Board Building and Lesser Hall. The architects had previously undertaken considerable works in the contemporary modern art deco design ethos in the city and the regional areas. The Public Hall was a purpose built structure. The entry statement wraps the corner site and addresses the two major streets that converge on the site. The roof is concealed by uninterrupted smooth parapet walls and a horizontal emphasis is designed into the sweeping curve, the faceted windows, the cantilevered eyebrow and the banding in the bio box parapet. The front piece of the building is an asymmetrical structure from any angle, but the balance and design proportion finds a symmetry in many of the relationships of the elements. The walls are curved into the entry space. Small ticket box openings are located in the entry space. The Bio Box on the upper level extends to a parapet wall and has three recessed horizontal bands emphasising the curve in the parapet section of the wall. Stylised lettering is integral within the wall treatment. The interior ventilators and ceiling details were designed in a geometric abstract manner consistent with the contemporary art deco style. The stage area is very functional with external and front hall access doors to left and right stage. Large ledge and brace style wall/doors swing into position on both sides of the stage to provide dressing room facilities. The proscenium is curved into the stage as is the ceiling detail above the stage, a clever design device directing the eye in the direction of the stage. An original light fitting remains insitu in the foyer.

History

After the Great Depression, the rural sector had improved by the late 1930s with wheat and wool prises rising. Signs of the recovery were evident throughout the Narembeen district when the Narembeen Road Board built the hall in an enthusiastic burst of renewed confidence, which proved to be short-lived with the on set of World War Two in the same year that the hall was being constructed. The land was originally part of Tom Savage's farm and was also the site of the first shop and post office in Narembeen, when it was just a railway siding. After Connelly and Hale purchased the Narembeen townsite land from Tom Savage in 1922, they donated the site to the Roads Board for community purposes. The Narembeen (Lesser) Hall was built in 1923. The hall opening in February 1940 was a huge affair with a Perth orchestra. At a public meeting at the Hall in 1940, 80 men offered their services to the Volunteer Defence Services. The VDC provided a great moral boost and community interaction during the war years. In the early 1940s most community and social activities in Narembeen responded to the war effort. Every Saturday night there was a dance in Narembeen or one of the surrounding towns. Transport was a problem with the war rations. For social events the farmers pooled their rations and Moppet's school bus did a community milk run to pick up the young people for the dances in Narembeen and the surrounding towns. Within an hour of the announcement by the Prime Minister, that World War Two was over, there was a parade of RSL members and the Road Board organised a dance that night. The Narembeen Public Hall has several memorial plaques in the foyer of the building and every year an ANZAC memorial service is held at the hall. Paddy Baker the picture show man provided the other major source of entertainment. He screened movies in the hall every Wednesday night and always attracted a full house. The Country Women's Association organised numerous community functions including Debutante Balls. The first was held at the Hall on 20 August 1946 when the people of Narembeen were eager for the excitement and glamour of such a grand event after the wartime austerity. The CWA ran regular "old time family dances" and balls. The 1950s was a time of affluence, there were more social choices. By the 1960s there was a marked decline in the popularity of the dances and the regular movie shows had ceased in the Hall. On 7 September the Kindergarten Committee organised the first of many cabarets in the district. In November 1963 a ball was held at the hall to celebrate the opening of the Narembeen Memorial Swimming Pool. The 1970s was a period of rural depression and the lack of social functions at the Hall reflects that situation in the community's social life. Faster cars and city accessibility meant a lot of the families celebrated weddings and family functions in the city or in a range of other venues developing in the town. In 1974 the Narembeen Repertory Club staged their first production, after a considerable break. The annual Balls continued to be celebrated in the Narembeen Public Hall; the Lions held their Charter Dinner in 1979, and the Hospital celebrated their Golden Jubilee Ball. During the 1980s the Recreation Centre became the main venue for the community social and sporting functions. However, in 1983 the Karrinyup Symphony Orchestra appeared with pianist David Helfgott, and in 1988 The Year 10 students from Narembeen Junior High School held their Graduation Dinner Dance in the Public Hall. In 1995, as for other years, the ANZAC service was held in the hall. The Old Time Dance group revives the spirit of the place with their monthly dances. The Badminton Club plays on Tuesday nights under the expert eye of the sprightly octogenarian Mr Peter Walker. The recent "Go Narembeen" competition highlighted the town and a specific mention was made of the "art deco in Narembeen" Negotiations are underway between Suburban Cinemas Organisation and the Shire of Narembeen with regard to recommencing movies in the hall on a regular basis.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: The integrity of the place is exceptional. The extensions by the original architects complement the original design and intent. Authenticity: High degree

Condition

Very Good

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Narembeen Roads Board Building (fmr)

Parent Place or Precinct

03629 Narembeen Civic Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The Road Board building represents a diversity of civic functions and responsibilities in the community development of the town and region. The place demonstrates a close association with the pioneers and civic leaders of Narembeen. The place contributes to a cohesive streetscape within the "civic precinct" and is an important townscape element in Narembeen. The Road Board building demonstrates the community's sense of place for its pivotal civic role. The Road Board Building is the only example of public architectural style in Narembeen and represents the foundation of the civic development of the town and region.

Physical Description

The Road Board Building was purpose built to administer the governing of the Narembeen district. The building is a brick and tile construction with a timber floor structure. Both the original 1927 building and the 1956 extension are double cavity brick construction. The red brick is laid in a stretcher bond, with a rendered string course at sill level and a rendered foundation. The original face bricks have been painted up to the string course on all sides except the rear elevation(west). The external corner quoins are rendered on all facades except the back wall. The roof is tiled with terracotta clay tiles on a pitch of approximately 30 degrees. The domestic hip roof with gablets was balanced either end with tall chimneys prior to the extension roof which finishes in a full gable on the north end. The entry porch is recessed under the main roof with a gable detail informing of the entry to the building. The entry pillars are a continuum of the walls forming the recessed space of the entry. They are rendered and extend uninterrupted into the gable front. The year of "1927" is embossed in raised lettering. The soffit is lined in tongue and groove boards and painted white. A flag pole rises unobtrusively from the ridge of the porch gable. Balanced either side of the entry are two sets of casement windows. The sets of three timber framed casement windows were originally stained jarrah but have been painted. Rendered concrete lintels form a continuum to a rendered string course at eaves height. The extension on the north side in 1956 provided a library facility and another office space adjoining the General Office. The walls in all the rooms are a hard plaster finish with a recessed banding at dado height and a picture rail non-continuous along each wall. Decorative air vents are situated high on the walls in each room. Fireplaces are central within the south wall of the "Boardroom" and the north wall of the "General Office", both been flush boarded over with no evidence of mantle piece. Each of the three rooms have high flat ceilings with a different finish. The "General Office" has a pressed metal ceiling with a square detailed pattern. The "Boardroom" has a plaster ceiling with a different and larger square pattern. The foyer has a pressed metal square pattern with a geometric detail. The original light fittings remains insitu in each room. A sink has been a very recent intervention into the "Boardroom". Two Boardroom tables from different eras of the Narembeen Road Board administration are still in the building. A number of Board room chairs are also evident, some of which have been donated by prominent citizens. There is a foundation plaque on the front wall south side of the entry The original symmetry of the front facade was interrupted with the extension which while responsive in terms of the proportions, the classical proportion and balance is gone. The street view obscured by the trees offers the suggestion of the original symmetry of the front facade.

History

During the pastoral history of the settlement of the Narembeen district, the Greenhills Road Board had jurisdiction until 1913 when the East Avon Road Board was created, and subsequently became the Bruce Rock Road Board in 1918. After Connolly and Hale purchased 30 acres of Tom Savage's land at the railhead in 1922, and subsequently gained a hotel license, the town of Narembeen was created. In July that year the farmers from within the Narembeen area formed a Progress Association, one of the aims of which was to establish a Narembeen Roads Board. As the predecessor to the Narembeen Road Board, the Narembeen Progress Society was proactive in developing the facilities and infrastructure of the new "private" town of Narembeen. In June 1924 the Narembeen Road Board was formally proclaimed, and the Narembeen Progress Association disbanded. At the Narembeen Road Board elections on 23 August 1924, seven board members were elected from the ten nominations. Charles Latham was elected as the first chairperson of the Narembeen Road Board and remained in that position until 1926. During that time he was a member for York in the Legislative Assembly, a position he held from 1921 until 1942 when he was appointed to the Senate. Latham's knowledge of governmental procedures, his leadership abilities and his enthusiasm for the Narembeen district forged a progressive beginning in local government. All the board members were pioneers of the area, and equally committed to the prosperous development of Narembeen. Having proven their ability to survive the land, they gave of their precious time to establish the Road Board. The foundations established in the formative years of the district were essential to the development of the district. The land on which the hall is situated was donated by Connelly and Hale for civic purposes. The building was officially opened by Mr Charles G Latham on 13 August 1927. From the very beginning the south ward lobbied for greater representation, and in 1926 they gained two representatives making a nine member board. In 1938 a Town Ward was established, and the south lost one of its members. The nine member board has been in place ever since. Interestingly, the establishment of the Town Ward and the post depression prosperity coincided, and the Narembeen Road Board set out to implement large scale civic planning. The new Public Hall was built in 1939, the State School was upgraded to become an area school, new staff quarters were constructed at the Narembeen Hospital, an automatic telephone exchange was installed at the Post Office and a District Library was established in the Road Board Building. In 1946 an Infant Health and Welfare organisation was formed with the first visit to Narembeen taking place on 15 October 1947, in the foyer of the Roads Board office. This arrangement continued until the spotters post was converted specifically for the Infant Health Clinic in 1948. The advent of World War Two changed the focus of the Road Board activity. The release of extensive areas of land in the eastern sector of the Narembeen Shire in the late 1940s, and the settlement of a new generation of soldier settlers gave a new impetus to the Narembeen Road Board. Infrastructure and community facilities were required. The Road Board operations expanded considerably, and by 1956 it was necessary to extend the office facility with the addition of a library and extra office. In 1961 legislation changed the name of the local governing bodies from Road Boards to Shire Council. From then on the Narembeen Shire Council occupied the Roads Board building. The 1960s was a time of prosperity, the Narembeen School was elevated to the Junior High School in 1962 and the swimming pool was constructed in 1963. The Shire had notions of a new civic facility, but the general community services development was a greater priority, the airfield site was resumed in 1967, a drive-in theatre was built in 1968. The Narembeen Shire Council carried on the tradition and the social, cultural and welfare facilities they provided in the community and are ever responsive to the progress of Narembeen. When the Shire did have new premises built in Longhurst Street in 1975, the Library moved too, and the Roads Board Building was vacated. The Historical Society approached the Shire. They had established a separate organisation to deal with tourism, enabling them to qualify for funding programs and grants. The Narembeen District Permanent Display Centre was established and the Governor Sir Wallace Kyle officiated at the opening on 7 September 1979. The other section of the Road Board Building, the Boardroom was for the use of another community function, the community newspaper "The Fencepost". Associated People: One of the original pioneers of the district, Charles Latham settled the land along side his friend Thomas Savage. Charles Latham was a member, and foundation Chairman of the Bruce Rock Road Board. He was the Minister of Lands and Health in the Mitchell Government (1930-1933) He led the Country Party between 1930 and 1942 as a member of the Legislative Assembly for York. In 1946 he was elected to the Legislative Council as a member for Central Province. In 1948 he was knighted. He was President of the Legislative Council for two years until 1960. The Chairmen of the Roads Board, and Council Presidents gave direction in the progress of the Narembeen community. Recognition of exceptional service is rewarded with the Local Government certificate for 15 years or more service. Mr AW Latham (35 years), A Roach (31 years), R Cheetham(26 years), M Sloss(24 years), W Currie(22 years) and Richard K Cheetham. Mr A W Latham and Mr Richard (Bob) K Cheetham both have the privileged distinction of having been made "Freemen" in recognition of their significant contributions to Narembeen. Richard (Bob) K Cheetham was a local government member for 27 years and served as the Shire President from 1973 to 1980. He represented the Great Eastern ward on the Executive of Local Government for ten years. His father, R Cheetham was one of the foundation members of the Narembeen Road Board and a significant figure in the development of Narembeen. In 1981 Arthur William Latham received the Australia Medal in recognition of his civic work. During his 35 consecutive years on the Narembeen Council from 1938, 16 years were spent as Chairman or President. He was also a director of Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd, and an office bearer of the Council of Grain Pool of WA. He was associated with the numerous cultural and civic projects in Narembeen including the Historical Society, the Hospital Board, the Anglican Church, and was the association President or patron of most of the sporting clubs in the district.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact Authenticity: High degree

Condition

Fair - Good

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Narembeen Civic Precinct

Child Places

• 05876 Narembeen Lesser Hall
• 01793 Narembeen Public Hall
• 05862 Narembeen Roads Board Building (fmr)

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Child Places

• 05876 Narembeen Lesser Hall
• 01793 Narembeen Public Hall
• 05862 Narembeen Roads Board Building (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The precinct demonstrates significant associations with the pioneers of Narembeen, and the development of the town and district. It demonstrates associations with the beginnings of the civic administration, social, community, and religious activities in Narembeen. Each place is unique for its associations, architecture, and period of development, and contributes to the precinct character. The precinct is an integral element and identifiable in the townscape of Narembeen.

History

see other references; 1, 6, 22.

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Narembeen Lesser Hall

Parent Place or Precinct

03629 Narembeen Civic Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The Narembeen Hall is significant for its integral role within the initial developing phase of the town and region of Narembeen. It demonstrates a way of life no longer practiced. The Hall evokes a sense of place created by the memories of the events that have occurred in the place, and varying degrees of historic importance to individuals, community groups and the town of Narembeen. The Narembeen Hall is significant for the close association with the pioneers of Narembeen. The Narembeen Hall was the first of three civic buildings that developed on the site, demonstrating a sequence of civic progress in Narembeen. The hall is the oldest public building in Narembeen and represents the beginning of the community of Narembeen. It is the only example of its type in Narembeen

Physical Description

The Lesser Hall is situated 2 metres west of, and parallel to, the Narembeen Public Hall. A covered connection links the Public Hall with the Lesser Hall. Originally completely clad with weatherboards, interventions in the late 1970s reclad the exterior walls with fibro-cement sheeting. The roof is corrugated iron sheeting. The stage roof is a gable ended roof at the Longhurst Street frontage. The Hall is gable ended at the rear and hipped into the stage roof at the front. The kitchen roof is a skillion pitching from the top of the hall wall height. The interior walls have a dado wall of tongue and groove stained jarrah boards with caneite sheets above. The hall ceiling is caneite sheeting with battens. The hall floor is tongue and groove jarrah floor boards which have subsided. The stage and ante-rooms are raised above the floor level of the hall proper. The kitchen was refurbished in the 1970s.

History

The Narembeen Progress Association formed in 1922 to guide the development of the new town, with an aim to establish a Narembeen Road Board which would then facilitate the interests and welfare of the town and district of Narembeen-One of the first objectives of the Narembeen Progress Association was the provision of a hall or meeting place in Narembeen. Paddy Connolly and Henry Hale who had subdivided the private town site, and owned the Hotel, donated the land for the Narembeen Hall which was subsequently constructed and opened on 8 September 1923, only a short time after the Hotel. One of the Narembeen Progress Association initiatives was to set up special committees. Trustees for the Hall were nominated to Messrs Connelly and Hall for their approval. It was a memorable opening to the Narembeen Hall. A fight broke out during the dance. It seems it was the railway workers versus the clearers. The women and children were locked in the Hall to provide for their safety and the policemen was called from Bruce Rock. For some months during 1923 or 1924, the school was conducted in the Hall while the old school moved from Emu Hill to Narembeen. During the years from 1923 to 1928, Church services for all denominations were held in the Hall. The Narembeen Hall was the focus of the social life of the Narembeen district from the beginning of the town's evolution. During the Depression the social life in the district is what kept everyone going. It had become evident that the town needed a hospital, and a Building Committee was formed to co-ordinate every organisation in the Narembeen District to raise money for the hospital. The Hall featured prominently in these functions with the movies, dances, balls and social events. The Repertory club held regular performances. Regular Saturday night dances organised by the Hospital Bazaar were the mainstay of the community. The "Hospital Pictures" commenced at the Town Hall in August 1927 and continued every Friday night until the pictures moved to the new Narembeen Public Hall in 1940. The Chadwick Pictures Corporation used to show the pictures until 1932 when Paddy Baker gained the rights and contributed the gross proceeds of 1 nights showing to the local hospital. Many events took place at the Hall which were simply for the purpose of social interaction. The Annual Hospital Ball has been an important fundraising event, it was held in the Narembeen Hall from 1929, until 1940 when it was henceforth held in the new Narembeen Public Hall. Weddings were a community event and until the Anglican Church was built, the Wedding ceremonies and the Breakfasts took place in the Hall. Weddings were a community event, invitations were not necessary. Sporting groups were associated with the Hall; boxing, the Football Club Ball, the Cricket Club dances. The Scouts also used the Hall. In 1945, the inaugural meeting of the Narembeen branch of the Country Women's Association was held in the Narembeen Hall. Until 1955 when the CWA's own premises was built, the AGM was held in the Hall every year. In 1949 the inaugural meeting of the "Young Set" took place in the Hall. They raised money for the CWA Building Fund by running socials and serving supper in the Hall after the pictures. In 1953, delegates from the Hospital Auxiliary, Football Association, Anglican Guild, RSL Auxiliary, Catholic Women's Guild and the CWA, met with the Narembeen Road Board Committee in an effort to improve the kitchen facilities in the Hall which subsequently occurred. Since 1940, when the Narembeen Public Hall was built, the Lesser Hall provides the supper room and kitchen facilities for the social functions that take place in the Public Hall.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: : The integrity has been compromised in some areas, but for the most part is redeemable Authenticity: Medium degree

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Narembeen Museum

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place is significant as the first church built and consecrated in Narembeen and the only church in the district for twenty five years. The former church demonstrates the interaction of the interdenominational churches during their developing periods in Narembeen. It is significant as a place of religious worship and celebration and displays a range of customs and religious philosophies, and an association with the hierarchy of the Anglican Church. The former St Paul's Anglican Church represents a way of life that is no longer practised. It is representative of its type, and is the only example in Narembeen. It makes a significant contribution to the townscape and character of Narembeen.

Physical Description

The building is a simple building rectangular in shape with a protruding entry porch on the west side of the front. A steeple on the roof has been removed and is in storage. The weatherboard walls are entirely unpainted and have previously been oiled. The church windows are mauve coloured obscure patterned glass in panels. Each casement window has an angled timber detail forming the top of the frame. The roof is a combination of gable ends and hips. The entire roof is painted corrugated iron sheets The porch has a gable infill. The Entry doors are ledge and braced doors with the same angled top frame detail as the windows. The doors have been painted on the outside, and the frame of the inside has been painted, retaining the stained jarrah finish of the boards. The entire perimeter of the inside of the hall has a 1500mm high dado wall of vertical tongue and groove stained jarrah boards. Above the dado wall is white painted plaster sheets with stained jarrah battens over the vertical sheet joins. The pulpit walls continue along the same dado line even though the floor is at a higher level. The vestry walls are the same as the remainder of the internal walls. The church hall ceiling is a plasterboard lined cathedral ceiling. The stained jarrah batten sheet joins form a geometric pattern. Steel structural tie rods are exposed across the span of the ceiling. The vestry and pulpit ceilings are flat and lined in a similar manner. The entire floor is tongue and groove 80mm jarrah floorboards. The pulpit has a raised floor on two separate levels. The building is raised on jarrah stumps, which have subsided to a level where the church hall floor is at ground level and slopes down towards the entry of the hall.

History

The first Anglican Minister to conduct services in Narembeen was Mr Jodrell who rode a horse from Kondinin. Later Reverend Griffin Smith from Bruce Rock, visited for monthly services in Narembeen Hall. Sunday School was held at Mrs Pippett's House. The Anglican church services were held in the Narembeen Hall from when it was first built until the St Paul's Anglican Church was built in 1928. The Methodist congregation conducted their services in the Anglican Church twice a month until they built their own church in 1955. Plans for a parish and a church building had been developing for some time when the diocese of Perth granted £750 for a church building (despite the fact that Narembeen was in the Kalgoorlie diocese) Connelly and Hale donated the land for the church. In 1924 a Ladies Guild was formed with the Stationmasters wife, Mrs Wales .elected the President. Many balls, fetes and cake stalls were organised to raise money for the church. The maypole dance was the main attraction at the fete in the garden of the Stationmaster's House. In November 1928 tenders were called for the church building. The building cost £300 for labour plus the cost of materials, a total of about £900. The building was dedicated on the 6th February 1929 by the Archdeacon Moore (later Dean), from Northam. He was assisted by the visiting priest from Bruce Rock, Rector P Griffin Smith. In 1929 two lay readers conducted the evening services. A full choir from St Peter's were present for the occasion. When an offer of financial support was made to the parish during the depression, it was accepted gratefully. "The Society for the propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts", an English Organisation, donated substantial monies to the Narembeen parish. The Society sent Reverend Thomas Bushby out from England in 1930. Reverend Bushby was the first resident Minister in Narembeen. An anonymous Englishwoman benefactor provided monies for maintenance and the Minister's stipend, although there was a shortfall amount that the congregation contributed. The church was the place where all the weddings were celebrated, the babies christened and the memorials read for the bereaved. For over 25 years in the town of Narembeen St Paul's Church was the only consecrated place of religious worship. A rectory was built next to the Church some years before Mr Bushby returned to England in 1937. Reverend Allen Cutts succeeded Bushby, and the parish was known as the Narembeen-Coriigin Parish in the Bunbury Diocese. The next minister, Mr Harfield chose to reside in the larger town of Corrigin, and only visited for two services a month. The subsequent minister, the Reverend Eric Currie, also lived in Corrigin, but it was difficult to service the parish with the rationing during World War Two. For some time Narembeen was without a permanent Rector. During that time Archbishop Moline visited for Christmas, Easter and feast days. Mr Bazley from Merredin visited occasionally. An English Missionary, David Hoey visited regularly from Bruce Rock. A number of other temporary and visiting arrangements were made during the war years. It was not until after the war that Reverend Norman Apthorpe was invited by the Perth Diocese to come to Western Australia, he accepted the Narembeen Parish, and settled with his family. He established the pattern of resident ministers again. The inadequacies of the rectory accommodation became obvious with Mr Apthorp's family of three children. Apthorp was succeeded by Mr Cecil Hodgson who made a move to build a new rectory and church. The rectory had been sold during the war years (for £1500 to WJ Nichols) The new rectory was completed in 1958 on one of four blocks which had been purchased some years previously by the Vestry. During Apthorps time the church prospered. Hodgson and the church secretary Ralph Fardon encouraged the vestry to raise funds for a new church. There was some dissent among the parishioners, but the new St Paul's Church was constructed and opened in 1965. The Shire of Narembeen purchased the property and in 1969 the church became the Narembeen Historical Museum. Tom Savage officially opened the Church Museum In 1994, the historical items which were housed in the church were relocated to the old RSL Hall in Savage Street. The Church Museum still has some items in store. It is not used for any other purpose at this time.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact Authenticity: High degree

Condition

Fair - Good

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