Mangowine Grave Sites

Parent Place or Precinct

01923 Mangowine Homestead

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Statement of Significance

Charles Adams made a significant contribution to the development of the Nungarin district. In his roles as a pioneer pastoralist, a special constable, a well sinker, and in his function as owner of the wayside inn at Mangowine, he had a major impact on the establishment of the region. The Adams graves which are a part of the Mangowine heritage precinct are icons of the pastoral and agricultural eras of the district's history.

Physical Description

The graves of Charles Frederick Adams and his granddaughter Constance Edna Payne are situated in a thin strip of land within Lot 1, Avon Location 972, on the eastern side of Karomin Road opposite the main Mangowine property. An avenue of eucalypts are planted within the strip. Inscriptions on the graves read as follows: Charles Adams Husband of Jane Swaine Adams Died 28.4.1895 Result of a horse and dray accident at Nokaning - about 4 miles from Nungarin Brought back to Mangowine for burial Aged 49 yrs Father of 11 children (details on headstone are not consistent with generally accepted information regarding Charles's death) Constance Edna Payne Born 30.4.1910 Died of bums at Mangowine at approximate age of 18 months Her death has not been registered anywhere in the state of W.A. Grand-daughter of Charles and Jane Adams.

History

Charles Frederick Adams was born in Scotland in 1846. It is believed that he came to Western Australia with his father, Thomas, on the Pyrenees in April 1853. The Adams family have always believed that Thomas came out as a Pensioner Guard, and this was stated in his death notice that appeared in the West Australian March 21st 1887. However, the Enrolled Pensioner Force was not published on the passenger lists, and his name does not appear on payroll records held in the Public Record Office in England, so this cannot be substantiated. When Western Australia was compelled to accept convict labour in 1850, the British Government promised that one free person would be sent to the colony for every felon transported. With each convict ship, pensioned or expired soldiers were sent as guards. On arrival, these pensioner guards were available for engagement as labourers, but could also be called upon to assist in the event of any outbreak by prisoners. They were accompanied by their wives and children, and if they "made good", were promised 10 acres of land on a 7 year lease. They were allowed to select land within certain limits, and were granted £10 towards initial expenses, as well as the assistance of convict labour. If the property was improved within the tenure of the lease, they were granted free title. Charles Adams would have been 7 years of age when he arrived with his father in 1853. He married Jane Swain(e) Glass in Toodyay on 6th November 1868. Charles was a cobbler by trade, but entered into an agreement with Henry Twine to shepherd his sheep in the district east of Toodyay. After his marriage to Jane, Charles and his brother-in-law James Ward, took up a pastoral lease at Yarragin. In 1875 Charles took over the lease on the property at Mangowine, and proceeded to build a homestead there. The next year he extended the lease to 10,000 acres. Jane and Charles were to have twelve children: Edwin Born 8.7.1869 Died 29.6.1872 Elizabeth Jane Matilda born: 21.4.1871 died: 18.11.1951 David born: 1872 Died at Birth Mary Annie born: 14.3.1874 died: 10.5.1931 Janet Amy born: 5.4.1876 died: 28.1.1896 Alice born: 24.3.1878 died: 19.9.1939 Minnie May born: 10.5.1880 died: 23.1.1954 Charles Edwin born: 4.10.1882 died: 8.10.1917 Henry David born: 5.2.1885 died: 28.5.1960 Kitty May born: 25.5.1887 died: 16.11.1948 Thomas George born: 6.5.1889 died: 1.12.1963 John born: 25.5.1891. died: 7.4.1905 In May 1877, Charles' father, Thomas Adams, was appointed as a special constable in the far-eastern settlements. Thomas lived in a small hut at Barbalin, and his main duty was to control aborigines who were becoming troublesome and killing sheep and pilfering settlers' goods. The next year Thomas also accepted the honorary duty of inspecting sheep flocks for scab. These duties were undertaken in conjunction with his regular police patrols. When Thomas retired in 1881, Charles took over his father's police duties at an annual salary of £120. Water was a very precious commodity throughout the district, and the most important asset at Mangowine was the soak located below the base of the shelving rock. In dry seasons the supply of water was unreliable, and other wells had to be sunk. In 1879 The Toodyay Road Board authorised Charles to put down 2 wells between Goomalling and Mangowine. There is evidence that he employed ticket-of-leave men for the project, because in Alexandra Hasluck's "Unwilling Emigrants", it is recorded that the ex-convict, William Sykes, was sent a letter addressed to "Well sinkers in care of Mr C.Adams." The whole way of life at Mangowine changed radically when gold was discovered at nearby Moujakine in 1887. This find led to the opening of the Yilgarn fields in 1888. Prospecting teams passed through Mangowine on their way to the goldfields, and in order to cater for this passing trade, a wayside inn was built alongside the homestead, and a licence was granted in 1889. The completion of the railway through Merredin in 1893 diverted the gold-rush traffic, and Charles found he was not so busy and was able to take the opportunity to do some prospecting himself. In 1895 while away from home on one of these trips, he died of a heart attack at Norkaning, just south of Nungarin. His body was brought back to Mangowine for burial. Constance Edna was the daughter of Charles and Jane's tenth child, Kitty May, and her husband William Frederick ("Bill") Payne. When Kitty's marriage foundered, she returned to Mangowine with her children. In October 1911, 18 month old Constance died, and was later buried beside her grandfather Charles.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact Authenticity: High

Condition

Very Good

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Nungarin Roads Board Office (fmr)

Parent Place or Precinct

15295 Nungarin Townsite

Condition

Poor (conservation works in progress 2002)

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Statement of Significance

This building has been classified by the National Trust. Recommended for entry into the State Register of Heritage Places Recommended protection under Town Planning Scheme. At one time the building had been restored and furnished. Recommended that restoration be upgraded and the building be included in an integrated tourism plan for Nungarin.

Physical Description

The building consists of a single room of weatherboard with a corrugated iron roof which overhangs on the front side to form a verandah. It has a sheet metal fireplace and chimney at one end, is timber lined with a timber ceiling and wooden floor. Some boards have been damaged by white ants. In 1991, a time capsule was buried in front of the building to commemorate the 70th anniversary of local government in Nungarin. A plaque with the following wording is attached: NUNGARIN SHIRE COUNCIL IN COMMEMORATION OF SEVENTY YEARS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT 1921-1991 This plaque was unveiled on 24.8.1991 By Shire President, Barry Neyle Cornish. A time capsule has been placed below this plaque To be opened On the centenary of Local Government in Nungarin In the year two thousand and twenty one.

History

Water has always been a precious and rare commodity in this country. The availability of water dictated where aboriginal encampments would be, where stock could graze, and where settlement was possible. The path of human exploration has followed a path of wells and waterholes. It was the lack of water, and the expense when it was available, that led to the formation of the Nungarin Progress Association in 1911, and the harbinger of local government. Water was being brought in by train at a cost of six shillings per thousand gallons, and the Progress Association made a deputation to Parliament for the extension of the Goldfields Water Scheme. During the 1870s when Charles Adams became the first settler in the district, Nungarin was part of the Toodyay Road Board. In 1895, the Nungarin area was included in the area administered by the Goomalling Road Board. Administration subsequently passed to the Kellerberrin Road Board in 1908, and then to the Merredin Road Board on 30th June 1911. At this time the interests of the Nungarin settlers were represented by Messrs W.S.Hodges, and R.G.Bagot. In 1917 the Nungarin Farmers and Settlers Association raised the possibility of establishing a local Road Board, as the settlers had many grievances against the Merredin Board. The roads in the district were in a very poor condition, and lacked maintenance. Travel was hindered as horses and cars alike were susceptible to bogging, and the carting of goods became an unnecessarily lengthy process. A deputation comprising Mssrs Hancock, Hodges, McCorry, Mann, Reddrop, J.R.Baird, Jolly and Jones saw the Clerk in charge of local government to present their case, and in February 1921, a proposal to redistribute the boundaries of the Merredin Road Board District appeared in the Government Gazette. The electoral roll for the Nungarin Road Board District was prepared on July 4th, and elections for the new board were held on August 6th. The Board was divided into five wards: Nungarin, Danberrin, Lake Brown, Mangowine and Wattoning. The first meeting was held in the Agricultural Hall on August 19th, 1921, and a dance was held that night to celebrate the occasion. The first Nungarin Road Board covered a large area of about 517 998 hectares, but the Board quickly began to look after the advancement of the district. Dams and roads were upgraded, and tenders for horse and dray work were called for. The Board was concerned about the proliferation of rabbits and other vermin, and enforced regulations to control the problem. In 1922, the first Road board Office was erected in Mitchell Terrace at a cost of £196. As farming properties were developed to the north of Nungarin, there was I increasing dissatisfaction with local government representation from those I more remote areas. The northern parts closer to Mukinbudin produced the most wheat, and needed more roads and water supplies, but were constantly outvoted by the Nungarin representatives. The Lake Brown area had been settled by returned soldiers after the first World War, and the early 20s were difficult years as they struggled to establish and develop their properties. At the end of 1921, the Nungarin Road Board had adopted the ward rating system, which meant that only funds raised in each ward were available to be allocated for works within that ward. This policy had immediate ramifications in these struggling areas. Roads in J the northern area were little more than rough tracks, and as settlers found I themselves unable to pay rates, the Road Board was not able to allot funds for road works. At the annual ratepayers meeting in April 1925, J.Mulqueeny and T.Pain (both returned soldiers settled in the Lake Brown area) proposed a motion of no confidence in the Nungarin Road Board. The following year, settlers in the Lake Brown -Mukinbudin area first brought up the suggestion of a separate road board for the northern region, with the administrative centre in Lake Brown. By 1927, representation on the Road Board had increased to eleven. Two members from each of the Nungarin, Danberrin, Mangowine and Lake Brown Wards, and three from Wattoning. The balance of power shifted after the 1932 elections when Mr.J.Ferguson of Dandanning defeated the sitting member, Mr F.Williams of Mangowine. This change gave the Mukinbudin faction 6 votes as opposed to 5 for Nungarin. With the change came the realisation that Mukinbudin now virtually had control of the board, and new possibilities presented themselves. Agitation now became focussed on maintaining a single local government body centred in Mukinbudin. At a Road Board meeting on July 11th, 1932, Mr H.Hansen moved, Mr E.B.White seconded, that the administration centre of the Nungarin Road Board be moved from Mukinbudin to Nungarin. There were immediate amendments from the Nungarin members, but ultimately the Mukinbudin faction won the vote with Messrs Mulqueeny, White, Hansen, Calder, Conway and Ferguson defeating the five Nungarin representatives, Hodges, Jolly, Hoare, Horn and McCorry. Mukinbudin pressed home their advantage by immediately moving that an application be made tot he lands Department for two blocks in the Mukinbudin townsite, and that a committee of three be elected to investigate the financing of new offices there. the financing of new offices there. The next few months saw dramatic action as board members and ratepayers promoted various views. There were public meetings throughout the district. There were Road Board resignations, retractions, walkouts and delegations. Some parties favoured one single government body, with the centre variously proposed to be sited in Nungarin, Mukinbudin or Lake Brown. Some preferred two separate districts, but still contested whether the northern seat of administration should be Lake Brown or Mukinbudin. Bonnie Rock ratepayers were concerned about how a separation would affect any later claim they may have to form their own district. Local feelings ran high, and with rumours about a proposal to "highjack" the Nungarin Road Board building, a group of Nungarin settlers mounted an armed guard to prevent the building being shifted. Ultimately it was decided to separate the district, and on 1st September 1933, the Government Gazette advertised that portions of the Nungarin Road District would be severed and reconstituted as the Mukinbudin Road District. Boundary negotiations continued for several years, and in 1938, after refusing to licence his vehicles in Mukinbudin as a protest, Mr M.J.Pink succeeded in having Avon Locations 14086 and 21462 transferred back to Nungarin. In 1940, a small portion of land at Mangowine (30 acres of Avon Location 13792) was also returned to the Nungarin District. The old Road board building served as the administrative centre for the Nungarin Road Board between 1922 and 1936, when the new Road Board Building (now the Alice Williams Memorial Building) was completed in Railway Avenue. Toe H meetings were held in the building after the Road Board moved to the new offices in 1936, and at one time the building also housed a library. Toe H is a Christian organisation that had its foundation in Europe in World War One. The Branch in Nungarin was an active force in helping those in need by doing a variety of tasks such as chopping firewood and cleaning yards, offering friendship, visiting Kununoppin Hospital and collecting books for the library. The Branch eventually disbanded in the late 50s. Because of overcrowding at the Nungarin School, the Road Board building also served as an extra classroom between 1950 and 1952. At one time the old building was restored and furnished, but has now slipped into a state of neglect.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact Authenticity: High

Condition

Fair

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Mangowine Dam

Parent Place or Precinct

01923 Mangowine Homestead

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Statement of Significance

The Mangowine Dam has historic significance because of its association with Mangowine Homestead, and the pioneering Adams family, and as an example of early animal husbandry. It is also significant because it is representative of the importance of water to the development of the district, and the resourcefulness that settlers showed in harvesting and conserving it.

Physical Description

The natural watercourse has been enhanced and lined with local stone which conserves the run-off and directs it into the holding dam. The dam and watercourse have silted up and reduced holding capacity.

History

In 1875, Charles Adams took up a grazing lease at Mangowine, and he and his wife, Jane, and two daughters moved there from Yarragin. They built a homestead at Mangowine (c1875), and continued to extend their grazing leases. Water was a precious and rare commodity in this country, and in dry seasons the supply was unreliable. The availability of water dictated where stock could graze, and where various aspects of stock management were possible. In "Goomalling - A Backward Glance", Barbara Sewell describes early sheep husbandry methods, including the practice of washing sheep before shearing. Sheep were washed in soaking pens located in running streams or soak pools. Surveyor J.S.Roe noted Mangowine Spring (located on Avon Location 13792, north of Mt Grey - in the Shire of Mukinbudin) during his exploratory journey in 1836, but a reliable supply of water was one of Charles Adams's first concerns after he settled at Mangowine in the mid 1870s. Charles was responsible for putting down numerous wells on his grazing leases throughout the district, and there are three wells still remaining on Lot 2 close to Mangowine Homestead, and another across Karomin Road in Avon Location 972, just North of Lot 1 adjacent to the Adams graves. On the same side of the road are the remnants of the Mangowine Dam located on Avon Location 14085. Water was directed into the dam by way of a stone lined waterway which has silted up over the years, but enough of the structure remains to excite the imagination.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Redeemable Authenticity: High

Condition

Fair

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Baandee CWA Rest Room

Parent Place or Precinct

01923 Mangowine Homestead

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Statement of Significance

The Baandee CWA Rest Room is significant because it represents the unique organisation of CWA, and its concern for women, children and families who lived in the isolation of remote country areas. As a CWA building, there are links to Nungarin which formed the first branch of CWA in this state.

Physical Description

The Baandee CWA Rest Room at Mangowine is a cement brick rectangular structure with a corrugated iron roof which extends over verandahs to the front and rear. The building comprises a large meeting room with a brick fireplace and a separate kitchen. Two sets of timber framed doors open onto the verandah from the meeting room. The CWA initials, and the date '1928' are inscribed on the lintel panels above the front entries. Original items of furniture include a magnificent 9' x 4' timber table with carved legs and edges, a gift from the Dangin Branch of CWA; the Baandee CWA cupboard constructed of tongue and groove timber; a china cabinet with three doors and central leadlight panel, given in appreciation of the work done by all foundation members of CWA (1926); photographs of 6 women of historical interest to the state; and one of the original hand-made croquet mallets.

History

The Baandee CWA Rest Room was the first Rest Room to be purpose built by the Country Womens Association in Western Australia. Baandee was a small siding 32 kilometres west of Merredin on the main east-west railway line. When the broad-gauge line was built, it by-passed the small town, which subsequently fell into decline and in 1968 the local branch of CWA was forced to disband. The Rest Room was abandoned, and began to decay. A past CWA State President, Mrs Lilian Higgins, was concerned about the fate of the building, and after discussion with CWA, and with encouragement from fellow CWA member, and Vice-President of the National Trust, Miss May Knowles, she decided to approach The National Trust with a view to re-siting the Rest Room at Mangowine. Mrs Joan Crook, President of Eastern Division of CWA, was elected to oversee the project as part of Eastern Division's contribution to the CWA Golden Jubilee Celebrations, and Mr Gabriel Puncher was engaged to undertake the building. Mr Puncher had experience with repairing old buildings that were damaged in London during the blitz, and was working on the restoration of Mangowine. The Crook family supplied voluntary labour, and the whole demolition and removal took about 5 or 6 weeks to complete. It had been recorded that after the original foundations were laid, a Baandee CWA member, Mrs Saunders, had placed a small piece of gold in one corner of the building to symbolise the golden ideals of the hearts of the women on the land, and the Golden West. Unfortunately this gold was never found during the re-siting process. Nungarin was the first branch of the CWA to be formed in Western Australia, and it was fitting that this first rest room should be preserved in the district that was often referred to as the "cradle of CWA". The pioneer Baandee Rest Room is now part of the historic Mangowine precinct, and an interesting link with Jane Adams is preserved. In earlier days, the Nungarin CWA sent a photograph of Jane Adams to hang in the Hall of Remembrance at CWA Headquarters, and her name was also submitted by the Nungarin CWA for inclusion in the Roll of Honour for the Pioneer Women's memorial in Perth. On Saturday 28th August 1974, a state CWA event was held to celebrate the successful resiting of the building, and its restoration in almost perfect detail with original items of furniture and photographs. To commemorate the opening of the rest room on its new site, well known Western Australian historian, Rica Erickson, wrote a one-act play depicting a day in the life of Jane Adams. Nita Pannell delivered the premier performance from the verandah of the building, and when rain began to fall, she asked the audience if they would like to move to shelter. They refused to disperse, which was a remarkable tribute to her powerful performance, and a testimony of appreciation for the life and work of Jane Adams. In 1999, the floor in the kitchen was replaced by the National Trust, and new jarrah cupboards installed.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact Authenticity: High

Condition

Very Good

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Mangowine Homestead

Child Places

• 15269 Baandee CWA Rest Room
• 24495 Mangowine Homestead
• 15287 Mangowine Dam
• 24590 Mangowine Grave Sites

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Mangowine Homestead

Parent Place or Precinct

01923 Mangowine Homestead

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Statement of Significance

Mangowine, comprising the Homestead and cellar (c1875), and the adjacent building (c1889) which was used as an Inn between 1889 and 1894, has cultural significance because it represents a style of building and rural habitation which is becoming increasingly rare. The place was an important stop for prospectors on their journey to the goldfields, and also has a close association with the first instances of law enforcement in the district (Special Constables Thomas and Charles Adams). The Adams graves which are a part of the heritage precinct are icons of the pastoral and agricultural eras of the district's history. Mangowine demonstrates aspects of the history of European settlement in the Nungarin district and is greatly valued by the local community.

Physical Description

The heritage precinct of Mangowine comprises three separate buildings; the homestead, the Inn, and the cellar as well as several stone wells, and the historic gravesites, the dam and well on the opposite side of Karomin Road. However, the property also includes various other structures and buildings; a caretaker's residence, public toilets, the re-located Baandee CWA Rest Room and the new bough shed. The original dwelling was constructed using mud bricks and other local materials. The walls were plastered inside and out with mud plaster and painted with whitewash. The floors were stone flags set on the ground with some of the rooms having only mud floors. The roof was of gimlet poles covered with thatch. This initial cottage comprised a large kitchen which contained the open cooking fireplace with a baking oven attached on the left hand side. The oven was probably heated by laying a fire within the oven and scraping out the burnt ash before baking. Bedrooms are small rooms forming the verandah lean-to. A lower level bedroom may have been added at a later date. The second building, referred to as the Inn, is constructed in random ashlar stonework with a rendered band at the top. The general layout is the same except that it has two main rooms, one another kitchen, whilst the second room served as the bar, and had its own fireplace. The lean-to verandahs form four small rooms with large porches to the east and west sides. The space between the buildings may have been used as a garden or general purpose area. There is a small gnamma hole located in flat rock a short distance from the north side of the homestead. Adjacent to this building, a cellar was constructed with a room over. The initial excavation was formed in the process of digging material for mud bricks for the homestead. The cellar has stone walls with the upper room constructed with mud brick all rendered and whitewashed. The floor over is timber. A courtyard separates the cellar/room from the Inn and a stone lined water storage tank has been constructed to the south-east corner. Evidence suggests that the upper room was originally larger than reconstructed, and used to abut the stone well. The original room was often used for dances and balls. The entry to this room was from the side facing the inn, and there used to be another small room in the south-east corner which was used by Frank White as a bedroom until he shifted to another small room on the west side. This room was always known as the wheat room, and is now used for storage.

History

In 1875, Charles Adams took up a grazing lease at Mangowine, and he and his wife, Jane, moved there from Yarragin with their two daughters, Elizabeth (then aged about 4) and Annie (12 months). They had earlier lost two sons in tragic circumstances. Their eldest son, Edwin, was almost 3 years old when he drowned in a well at Jurakine during a trip back to Toodyay. David was born at the same time, and died at birth. Jane and Charles were to have twelve children, the last eight born after the move to Mangowine. Amy was born in 1876, Alice in '78, Minnie in '80, Charles Jnr in '85, Henry in '85, Kitty in '87, Thomas in '89 and John in '91. In May 1877, Charles' father, Thomas Adams, was appointed as a special constable in the far-eastern settlements. Thomas lived in a small hut at Barbalin, and his main duty was to control aborigines who were becoming troublesome and killing sheep and pilfering settler's' goods. The next year Thomas also accepted the honorary duty of inspecting sheep flocks for scab. These duties were undertaken in conjunction with his regular police patrols. When Thomas retired in 1881, Charles took over his father's duties at an annual salary of £120. By 1886, the salary had risen to £180. Charle's father Thomas Adams was a smith and stone cutter, and in "The Dempsters", Rica Erickson mentions that Thomas had assisted Briehart to build Buckland House just outside Northam. His expertise and advice would have been invaluable during the construction of the homestead at Mangowine. The walls of the house were made of stone and mudbrick. The roof was thatched with reeds laid across gimlet pole rafters, and the floors were paved with broad smooth flagstones brought from the adjacent slopes of Mt Grey. The most important asset at Mangowine was the soak located below the base of the shelving rock. When this soak was deepened, the water flowed at a depth of twenty inches, but in dry seasons the supply was unreliable, and other wells had to be sunk. Water was a very precious commodity, and during the summer months many trips had to be made over the ten miles back to the site of their previous home at Yarragin. Gold was discovered at nearby Moujakine in 1887, and led to the opening of the Yilgarn fields in 1888. Prospecting teams passed through Mangowine on their way to the goldfields, and life became even more hectic for Jane. Kitty was just a baby, and there were seven other children at home. As well as her usual family duties, Jane baked dozens of loaves of bread each day, and provided meals and lodging to the men passing through. In order to cater with this passing trade, a wayside inn was built alongside the homestead, and a licence was granted in 1889. The completion of the railway through Merredin in 1893 diverted the gold-rush traffic, and Charles found he was not so busy and had time to do some prospecting himself. In 1895 while away from home on one of these trips, he died of a heart attack at Norkaning, just south of Nungarin. His body was brought back to Mangowine where he is buried on the eastern side of Karomin road opposite the homestead. His granddaughter, Constance was later buried alongside. Amy accepted a position as governess-companion with the Butterlys at Yellowdine. She fell ill with typhoid fever in 1896, and died later at the Northam Hospital. Jane rushed to Northam to be with her, but Amy died before she arrived. Jane contracted the disease herself, but gradually recovered to return to Mangowine to take up the threads of her life again. The ensuing years saw the gradual development of agriculture in the district with the initiation of the Civil Servants Re-settlement Scheme in 1909. Once again Mangowine was the hub of activity as Jane was called upon to supply meat, vegetables, fruit, milk and eggs to the new settlers, as well as copious amounts of encouragement and advice. The opening of the Barbalin Water Scheme on October 26th, 1929, heralded a new era for the district, with the advent of a reliable supply of water. A block of land owned by Jane at Barbalin was resumed for the scheme, and Jane was the guest of honour that night at a special function held in Nungarin to celebrate the official opening. Jane died on 9th November 1934, aged 83 years, but members of the Adams family continued to live at Mangowine for the next few decades. In 1968, the property was given to the National Trust by Mrs Olive Warwick, granddaughter of Charles & Jane Adams. The restoration of Mangowine Homestead officially began in July 1970, although a group of enthusiastic local ladies had been collecting information, items of furniture and other memorabilia for several years prior to that. During almost four years of dedicated work, two buildings were restored, the cellar was rebuilt from a stone walled hole in the ground, and the caretaker's cottage and toilet block were erected. The National Trust procured the services of Mr Gabriel Puncher, who had to use much ingenuity to overcome some of the interesting challenges which arose, and to cope with the disappointment and set-backs of two storms that devastated the property during the re-construction program. The National Trust property of Mangowine was officially opened to the public on 18th November 1973. In 1984, the National Trust recognised the contribution that Heather Dayman made during the restoration of Mangowine, by granting her Life Membership. The citation reads as follows: Heather Dayman joined the Trust in October 1969 and was Secretary of the Mangowine Committee between April 1970 and September 1977, and remains a member of that Committee. Due to its remote situation and substantial acreage, Mangowine presented the Trust with a formidable restoration project, and throughout that difficult period and since the property has been open to the public Mrs Dayman worked with concern and dedication to overcome the many problems which had to be faced. The award for Life Membership is fitting recognition of her work for the Trust.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact Authenticity: High

Condition

Very Good

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Alice Williams Memorial Building, Nungarin

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Statement of Significance

The Alice Williams Memorial Building is significant because of its association with local government (Road Board Office 1936-68), and with the Country Women's Association (Meeting Room 1968, official Rest Room from 1975). The building is also significant because of its architecture, which is representative of the Art Deco style of the thirties, and the only example of this type in Nungarin.

Physical Description

The Alice Williams Memorial Building is a simple cement rendered structure with a red terra cotta tiled roof and an attractive cement entrance feature. The symmetrical fatpade is derivative of a stripped classical style of architecture prevalent in the early to mid-1930s in Western Australia. It features a single sash window on either side of an arched central portico leading to double glass timber framed doors topped with an arched transom window. At the time of construction the reception area featured a front counter which has since been removed. The Road Board Secretary's office opened from the left of the reception area, and the Road Board Chambers to the right. A large safe is fitted behind the Secretary's office, adjacent to a rear door which opens onto a small back porch. The building is sited on a 1,012 square metre block. A plaque is fixed to the front of the building: This tablet was unveiled on 17th September 1936 to commemorate the opening of these offices by J. Jolly Esq. Chairman of the Board Members of the Board W.S.Hodges R.S.Horn H.L.J.Hoare F.A.Williams T.C.Brown Secretary Eales, Cohen & Fitzhardinge Architects Cook & Wakefield Contractors To commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the Nungarin Country Womens Association on July 7th, 1994, the Shire Council moved unanimously to dedicate the former Council Offices to the memory of Alice Williams in recognition of her untiring efforts to improve living conditions for country women, their children, and their families. A plaque has been fixed to the left front of the building which reads as follows: In memory of Alice Williams MBE 1890-1972 In recognition of the valuable work done by her in improving conditions for country women and their children Opened on 7th July 1994 By Shire President B.N.Cornish A noticeboard on the right front of the building was originally on the left, but was restored and moved to the right to balance the CWA insignia on the left front above the Alice Williams Memorial plaque. Early photographs indicate some minor changes that have been made to the facade of the building. In the recent past, stepped piers have been removed from above the central arch. The top-piece was finished with a low peak and a central flag pole mounted behind. Local opinion indicates that a layer of stonework was removed in order to reduce the weight that was believed to be causing structural cracks. The fanlight above the front entry was originally panelled with glazing bars, and has now been replaced with a single plain glass panel. The front doors were originally panelled timber, and are now timber framed double doors with clear glass panels.

History

The second Nungarin Road Board Office and Chambers was officially opened on Thursday 17th September 1936. The building functioned as the administrative centre of the Road Board District (until 1961), and subsequently the Shire Council, until the present Shire Council Office and Library was constructed in 1968. Nungarin Road Board Secretaries 1936-68 R.G.Bagot 1921-1924 R.Rushton 1925-1927 F.B.Mason 1928-1933 T.C.Brown 1933-1937 T.R.Bennett 1938-1941 F.E.Eddy (During T.Bennett's War Leave) 1941-1946 T.R.Bennett 1946-1954 J.C.Tozer 1954-1956 M.F.Hatton 1956-1958 F.W.Timothy 1958-1960 K.J.Tilbrook 1960-1973 Nungarin Road Board Chairmen 1936-68 J.Jolly 1921-22, 1923-32, 1933-44 W.S.Hodges Part 1923, Part 1932 E.White Part 1932 F.A.Williams 1944-46 H.L.J. Hoare 1946-47 L.Hutchison 1947-49, 1953-57 H.H. Waterhouse 1949-53, 1957-58 R.H.Jolly 1958-60 R.L.Herbert 1960-62, After the construction of the new Shire Council Office and Library in 1968, the Shire Council offered the local CWA an option on the old building. After much deliberation, members decided to accept the Council's offer, although a formal peppercorn lease was not signed until July 1st, 1975. To commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the Nungarin Country Women's Association on July 7th, 1994, the Shire Council moved unanimously to dedicate the former Council Offices to the memory of Alice Williams in recognition of her untiring efforts to improve living conditions for country women, their children, and their families. Alice Williams came to Nungarin in 1913. She and her husband Fred farmed Avon Location 14084 in the Mangowine area, where land is still owned by their descendants. Mrs Williams was a foundation member of the Nungarin Branch of the Country Women's Association which was formed in 1924, and was the first branch of CWA in Western Australia. She was awarded the M.B.E. in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June 1965 in recognition of her services to CWA over many years. During her years of service, Mrs Williams held almost every key position in the association. She served as Branch President for 10 years, and also as Vice-President and Secretary at different times. She was President of Eastern Division for 6 years, and devoted many years in organising the Eastern Division's 'Happy Holiday Scheme', and later in establishing 'Easternholme'. In 1952 she was elected President of the newly formed Dampier Division. She served as State President from 1944-47, and State International Officer from 1947-1950, and held Life Membership of the Association.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact Authenticity: High

Condition

Very Good

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Army Vehicle Workshop (fmr)

Parent Place or Precinct

15267 Army No 5 Base Ordnance Depot Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Statement of Significance

The massive Army Vehicle Workshop (250' x 100') is amongst the largest timber framed and weatherboard-clad structures extant in Western Australia, and is a unique reminder of Nungarin's association with the defence of the nation. The place is one of very few remaining, large volume, timber military buildings built during World War II by the Public Works Department of Western Australia for the Commonwealth. The building is significant in the pattern of history of Australia, being representative of technical achievement during wartime. It is also representative of the Army contribution to Nungarin's development of community and sense of place, and demonstrates a unique function in this state.

Physical Description

The Army Workshop building is a timber framed weatherboard building with a corrugated asbestos sawtooth roof. The timber wall plates are set on a single leaf 4 course brick plinth built on a concrete footing and floor slab. The floor is constructed of a reinforced concrete deck, floating on joists over bearers. The slab is 14 inches (350 mm) thick, and the entire main floor area which measures 100' x 250', was poured continuously. The ingredients were hand-added by shovel to the mechanically driven mixers, and mechanically vibrated. Some of the area was granolithic topped. The substructure of the floating deck comprises reinforced concrete bearer beams (measuring 3' deep x 2' wide) at 6' centres formed into the subsoil. The reinforced concrete joist beams (measuring 2' deep x 18" wide) are spaced at 4' centres. Column bases are steel shoes bolted to a plinth on the slab through template located bolts. The slab was cured for 3-4 days prior to building the walls. Expansion joints were introduced in the floor, dividing the area into 8 bays from east to west, and at the column centres north to south. The joint edges were chamfered. The columns are double jarrah members, blocked apart and through bolted. These were machined and part assembled at the PWD Citron Street Workshop in Perth, and brought to the site by train. The trusses are prefabricated, Pratt type parallel chord timber trusses, probably of Karri. They comprise double top and bottom chord members with one double member, and the remainder single members. The timber components were machined and part assembled in the PWD Workshop, with final assembly on site prior to erection. All joints were constructed according to the Ring Lock system, which involved a special technique for using laminated timbers. A metal ring (I1// wide x 2"-3" diameter) was driven part way into each of two confluent timbers, and the joint tightened with a bolt. The Ring Lock system was ideal for the prefabrication requirement, and could make full use of the reduced timber sections permitted by the Wartime Structural Code Supplements. The system also allowed for the concentration of centralised skills and operational plant in the Citron Street Workshop. The wall cladding is hand-fixed, 7 inch wide jarrah weatherboarding with a rough sawn finish, and were originally painted in camouflage. On page six of this report is a copy of the floor plan, showing 6 original lean-to annexes. The annexe in the centre of the east wall was the welding and blacksmith shop. The section on the south-west corner marked Radiators, is now thought to have housed the specialised parts & tools, and the radiators were probably in the southernmost annexe which has now been lined with timber to create an entry and canteen area for the Museum. The administration annexe on the north-west corner has been removed, and other areas have been modified to suit the purposes of the Heritage & Army Museum. The Batteries annexe has been reinforced with maximum security mesh, and lined with plasterglass for the display of armaments, and the Specialist Parts shop has been fitted with display cabinets which contain photographic and pioneer memorabilia, and various collections. The display area of the workshop houses an impressive array of Army and Heritage memorabilia. The museum boasts several army tanks, including General Grant and Stuart '42 models, a bren gun carrier, Studebaker 6x6 transport truck, and Chevrolet, Ford and International Lease-Lend trucks. Rural memorabilia includes examples of the first mechanical harvesting equipment, early wool-presses and shearing equipment as well as numerous other collectable items. On 8th October 1994, the Nungarin Heritage and Army Museum was officially opened by His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery, Governor of Western Australia. The following commemorative plaque is attached to a monument at the entrance gates of the museum: THIS MONUMENT WAS UNVEILED BY HIS EXCELLENCY MAJOR GENERAL MICHAEL JEFFERY AO MC GOVERNOR OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA ON THE 8th OCTOBER 1994 TO COMMEMORATE THOSE PERSONNEL WHO SERVED AT NUNGARIN 7 AOD, 5 AO VP, 7 RSD, 71 FOD, 9 BOD, 5 BOD. 5th TANK/WORKSHOPS, 110™ A.G.H. AWAS DETATCHMENT A timber honour board is mounted in the entry foyer, and bears the name of Commanding Officers of 5 Base Ordnance Depot, 51 Supply Battalion, and Perth Logistic Battalion: Commanding Officers of 5 Base Ordnance Depot: 1936 1940 Mr J.H.Beavis 1940 1941 Mr W.J.Williams 1941 1941 Lt.Col.A.J.CIoirec 1941 1941 Major J.W. Plank July 1942 November 1943 Lt.Col.G.A.Davis November 1943 April 1945 Lt.Col. C.B.Cornish April 1945 July 1946 Lt.Col.W.C.Caley July 1946 June 1947 Major W.H.Campbell June 1947 December 1947 Lt.Col. L.G.Kerr December 1947 June 1948 Lt. Col A. K. Dalgleish June 1948 October 1953 Lt.Col.E.H.Jessop October 1953 September 1956 Lt. Col. N. F.C.King October 1956 September 1959 Lt.Col. E.E.Demmler September 1959 November 1960 Lt.Col. V.L.Rowe November 1960 June 1962 Major F.C.A. Meadows June 1962 December 1967 Major D.Smith December 1967 February 1969 Major J.A.W.Brophy February 1969 May 1969 Major A.D.Stewart June 1969 February 1970 Major K.T.Graham February 1970 September 1972 Major R.O. Darby September 1972 May 1973 Major A.V.Lamotte Commanding Officers of 51 Supply Battalion: June 1973 January 1975 Lt.Col. L.Dell January 1977 February 1978 Lt. Col. R.D. Arnold February 1978 December 1979 Lt.Col.D.J.McLachlan December 1979 September 1980 Lt.Col.M.J.Ball September 1980 January 1981 Major L.D.Adam Admin Comd January 1981 July 1982 Lt.Col.T.Tonuri July 1982 December 1984 Lt.Col.E.N.Hutchinson December 1984 December 1986 Lt.Col.C.M.Jones December 1986 February 1988 Lt.Col.F.V.Hayes February 1988 August 1989 Lt.Col.A.E.Jordan Commanding Officers Perth Logistic Battalion. September 1989 January 1990 Lt.Col.A.E.Jordan January 1990 January 1992 Lt.Col.A.Pearson January 1992 January 1994 Lt.Col.CM.Sharp January 1994 Lt.Col. B.A.Willett

History

Because of fears of a Japanese invasion of Western Australia, it was decided to move three of the Australian Army's ten divisions to this state. As a consequence of this build-up, there was a need for considerable support facilities, including ordnance depots. These needed to be on established road and rail routes, with good water supply and telephone communications, and far enough inland to be out of the range of carrier-borne enemy aircraft. Nungarin was selected as a suitable site for an ordnance and stores depot, and in September 1942, the Army acquired 1720 acres (697 hectares) of land in the town. Construction at the base continued until as late as 1946, and was said to be the third largest Army camp in Western Australia. The facility incorporated the Army Vehicle Workshop, as well as a multitude of other workshops, shelters, offices, stores, medical facilities, a powerhouse, and post office, as well as administration blocks and a vehicle park; all built and equipped at a cost of more than ten million pounds. Approximately 1200 troops were stationed in Nungarin at one time. The Australian Women's Army Service was also stationed at the base, and provided with separate facilities. Throughout 1943, civil aliens from various European countries such as Germany, Italy and Albania were employed by the Allied Works Council at the Ordnance Depot. The Depot continued to function after the war, but the operations were gradually scaled down, with sales of buildings and property from 1949 until the caretaker left in May 1962. Nungarin still enjoys a legacy of sporting facilities either constructed, or initiated and assisted, by the Army during their time of occupation. A half-sized Olympic standard swimming pool, bowling green, golf course, and sports ground, were all part of a 4 hectare purchase made by the newly declared Nungarin Shire Council in 1961. In 1961, the Shire Council also purchased Building R21 (Army Vehicle Maintenance Workshop) for use as a Shire depot. The transaction included 2.75 acres (1.11 ha) of land in the price of £1,000. Part of the building is still used by the Shire for plant storage and maintenance. Use and management is gradually passing to the Board of the Nungarin Heritage and Army Museum, which is striving to maintain and preserve the fabric of the building, while developing an impressive static display of our army and civilian heritage.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Roof generally original & intact except for annexe in NW corner. Redeemable. Authenticity: High - No evidence of extensions

Condition

Very Good

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update