Pioneer Cemetery

Uses

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Seventh Day Adventist Church

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Wiluna District Hospital Group (fmr)

Condition

Wiluna District Hospital Group (fmr) is generally in fair to good condition, with regular maintenance taking place. It has moderate integrity and authenticity. A number of changes have taken place to the place over the years to facilitate previous and current functions. The alterations - predominantly the recladding of exterior walls, the removal of some walls in the Administrative Wing, Apartment and Art Gallery, the reroofing of the Adult Training Centre and Art Gallery, and the slate and tile treatment to the verandah floors of the Administrative and Accommodation Wings - have had some impact on the authenticity of the place. The Morgue (fmr) demonstrates intervention with the 1950s interior wall and ceiling cladding and new doors.

Uses

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Statement of Significance

The site has historic significance for its long association with hospital use. The former hospital buildings have high social significance given the essential role they fulfilled for the local community from the early 1930s until 1966. The place continues to have social significance given that it is now the centre for local government in the Shire. In addition the place provides for the largest grouping of heritage buildings in the town, and as such is a key element to the townscape. The former Hospital also has significance for aesthetic reasons, in particular the roofiine, spreading verandahs, gabled entrance and configuration of four buildings.

Physical Description

Construction Materials: Walls: fibro-asbestos Roof: CGI Modifications: Internal fixtures and fittings have been modified for the use as the shire office Condition: Good Integrity: High Description of the place and its setting: The place includes four buildings, all of similar style and scale, which form a quadrangle around a courtyard as well as additional structures to the rear. The buildings are all timber framed with fibro-asbestos walls and corrugated iron roofs. The roof extends to cover the verandah. All the buildings have verandahs to most sides, this being a necessity given the hot weather conditions of the district. There are french doors opening onto the verandahs. Roofs and walls are all painted light green. Windows are timber and double hung. The entrance features a gabled roof line over the stairs. Metal air vents are evident in all of the roofs.

History

History: The Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette of 17 August 1897 states that site had been selected for a hospital at Wiluna. On 18 December, 1903 Reserve 8468, in the south-east corner of Wiluna Lot 190, was set aside for hospital purposes. The Wiluna Chronicle of 29 November 1924 describes the Lake Way Hospital as being whitewashed outside and painted inside. It is further described as being a timber framed structure with part corrugated iron walls and canvas lined ceilings. "The top section of the walls was left open for ventilation" (Topperwien, p21) Due to the ever increasing population of the town there was a need to extend the hospital. In October 1926 the Committee of the Lake Way Hospital was granted 250 pounds towards the cost of erecting a woman's ward. The Works Department also contributed the school house at Malcolm which was to be dismantled and re-erected on the hospital site. (The Wiluna Chronicle, 23/10/1926, p2) By the beginning of the 1930s the hospital remained overcrowded and patients were being turned away through lack of accommodation. In April tenders were called for the additions to the hospital in the form of a new men's ward on the south side of the existing hospital. The ward was to be built in such a position "that the completed new hospital as planned can be erected at any time." (The Wiluna Miner, 15/4/1933, p3) The Wiluna Hospital Board appointed T.W. Lees to carry out the work for 1325 pounds. In June tenders were again called, this time for the erection of new Staff Quarters at the hospital site after the old ones were destroyed by fire. (The Wiluna Miner, 17/6/1933, p2 & 24/6/1933, p2) The Wiluna Miner indicates that the Wiluna Gold Mine contributed generously to the hospital, funding an X-Ray Room amongst other things. (19/8/1933, p3) On 15 September 1933 tenders were called for substantial additions to the Wiluna Public Hospital, as it was now known. In November Messrs. Todd Bros, of Perth were accepted to undertake the work for 4380/6/6 pounds. (The WilunaMmer, 18/11/1933, p2) A fence was erected around the hospital reserve and lawn was planted along with flower beds and ornamental trees. (The Wiluna Miner, 17/3/1934, p3) The hospital was officially opened on 2 June 1934 by Mr W.B. Philippson, JP, who was Chairman of the Road Board and Chairman of the Board of Management of the Wiluna Public Hospital. The new buildings and furniture had cost 7200 pounds, of which the Government had paid 3000 pounds and the Board 4200 pounds, partly funded by subscriptions. The Wiluna Miner recorded that: "The Hospital is up-to-date in every respect and is said to be the most modern and completely equipped outside the metropolitan area." (9/6/1934, p3) In 1934 the Hospital consisted of four wings. The south wing included four consulting rooms and five women's wards, including a sound-proof labor ward. The west wing contained the administration section while the north wing was the male ward. The east wing was given over to a kitchen, staff dining room and two maids' bedrooms to complete the quadrangle. "Each wing, though complete in itself, is connected by wide verandahs and is on a common concrete verandah." (The Wiluna Miner, 9/6/1934, p3) The old hospital buildings were removed from the site by Lees. At a peak period in 1937 the hospital had a bed average of 31 and employed 30 staff members. (Topperwien, p21) In December 1967 the hospital closed, but continued functioning as a Nursing Post until 1970. In 1981 the buildings were restored by the Wiluna Shire Council and converted to a Civic Centre. It is now used as the Shire office.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

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Hospital Morgue (fmr)

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Physical Description

Description of the place and its setting: This simple timber framed house is clad with asbestos and has a corrugated iron roof. The building features verandahs to all sides, some of which are enclosed. It has a dutch gable roof with a gablet, a brick chimney and timber framed double hung windows.

History

This house has been used for the accommodation of hospital staff and was therefore probably built in the early 1930's, given that the hospital was built in 1932.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

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Seventh Day Adventist Church

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The Church has high social significance for its association with religion in the town. The building is the only remaining church in Wiluna and as such has rarity value within the district. In addition, the place contributes aesthetically because of the interesting blockwork.

Physical Description

This concrete block building is located on the comer of Scotia and Thompson Streets. The concrete blocks have been laid in alternate rows of smaller rusticated blocks and plain blockwork which forms a decorative feature of the building. It has a steeply pitched corrugated iron roof with a front entry porch and a brick lean to at the rear which was probably a later addition. The slender timber framed windows are wide framed, square headed and divided up into three panes. A little bell on a stand is located in front of the church.

History

This church was formerly used by the Methodists. The Australian Inland Mission worked in conjunction with the Methodist Inland Mission to set up the Methodist Church in Wiluna. Prior to 1930 ministers stationed in Meekatharra made regular visits to Wiluna. By 1933 a hall had been erected for Mission work and a room behind the hall served as a dwelling for the resident preacher. At this time the population of Wiluna was about 5,000 and the Rev. L. Broadbent made regular visits to both the town school and the South Wiluna State School, more commonly referred to as the Mine School, for religious instruction. Other services provided by the Methodist Church were evening bible study, a library and Sunday schools were conducted in the school at the mine. In 1934 the block on which the present cement block church stands was purchased. (p20) The church was probably built shortly thereafter by the Methodists.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium

Condition

Good

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Hospital House (fmr)

Uses

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Statement of Significance

Given its association with the fmr hospital located adjacent, the house has reasonably high social significance. In addition the building is quite substantial in size for its era.

History

This house has been used for the accommodation of hospital staff and was therefore probably built in the early 1930's, given that the hospital was built in 1932.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity; High

Condition

Good

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Pioneer Cemetary

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The Pioneer Cemetery has high social and historic significance for its association with the early pioneers of the Wiluna district.

Physical Description

: No access was allowed to the site, however local sources indicated that the cemetery contains the graves of the district's early pioneers. The headstones have been subject to considerable vandalism over the years.

History

There are two cemeteries in Wiluna; the Pioneer Cemetery and the present one.

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Wiluna Cemetery

Uses

Historic Themes

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Statement of Significance

The cemetery has high social significance for its association with the district's residents. Although still in use, some of the headstones date back to the beginning of this century affording the place historic significance as well.

Physical Description

The cemetery is divided into religious sections and contains headstones, iron railings and mounds. The cemetery, which is still in use, is surrounded by a wire fence

History

There are two cemeteries in Wiluna, a Pioneer Cemetery and this current cemetery.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium

Condition

Good

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Wiluna Police Station

Condition

1981 station demolished c.2000

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Wiluna Fire Station site of

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place has some social significance as the site of the Fire Station in Wiluna.

History

The Fire Station was built in 1936.

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Wiluna Post Office (fmr) & Residence

Uses

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Statement of Significance

The house has some historic significance for its association with communications in the town. In addition, it contributes to the townscape of Wiluna because of its unusual roof form.

Physical Description

The symmetrically designed house is timber framed and clad with asbestos. The hip and gable corrugated iron roof has a decorative gabled end to the front elevation. It features a verandah to the front (north) elevation which has recently been enclosed at the corners. The house is surrounded by a high wire fence and the garden has large aloe plants.

History

The house is said to have operated as the town's post office for a number of years.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium

Condition

Good

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Cottage

Uses

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Creation Date

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Physical Description

This small and simple timber framed cottage is clad with asbestos sheeting and has a corrugated iron roof. The verandah to the front (east) elevation is enclosed in part. The cottage has a lean-to roof at rear.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium

Condition

fair

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Cottage

Uses

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Statement of Significance

The cottage, combined with the two cottages located on either side on Woodley Street, have some aesthetic significance, given they are of similar style, scale and era.

Physical Description

This small and simple timber framed cottage is clad with asbestos sheeting and has a corrugated iron roof. It features large aluminium framed windows and verandah to the front (east) elevations. The cottage has a lean-to roof at rear.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium

Condition

fair

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Cottage

Uses

Historic Themes

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Statement of Significance

The cottage, combined with the two cottages immediately to the north on Woodley Street, have some aesthetic significance, given they are of similar style, scale and era.

Physical Description

This small timber framed cottage is clad with asbestos sheeting and has a corrugated iron roof. The verandahs to the front (east) elevation is enclosed. The cottage has a lean-to roof at rear.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium

Condition

fair

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site of the moonlight hall

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place has some social significance as the site of the Moonlight Hall, a public hall where many community functions took place. It is associated with Thomas O'Shaughnessy, the owner of the adjacent Club Hotel.

Physical Description

Only the site of the Moonlight Hall.

History

Thomas O'Shaughnessy, the owner of the Club Hotel, had the public hall built adjacent to the Hotel on Wotton Street. The building is said to have had a brick frontage to Wotton Street with a depth of 132 feet and a frontage of 50 feet It featured a sample room, office rooms, the main dance floor and concert room. The dance floor was 100 feet by 50 feet with dressing rooms to the rear. The contract price for the construction of the hall was 2838 pounds and the work was undertaken by Parker and Lyon, who made the bricks locally. (The Wiluna Miner, 7/2/1936, p2) The Infant Health Centre conducted a competition to find a name for the hall, which was officially opened by Mr H.H. Carroll, General Manager of the Wiluna Gold Mine. (The Wiluna Miner, 29/5/1936, p2)

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Club Hotel

Uses

Historic Themes

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Statement of Significance

The Club Hotel has high social significance as the only remaining of the hotels which operated in Wiluna. In addition, the place is the only two-storey building in the town and this, combined with its prominent corner location, gives it a high streetscape value.

Physical Description

This large two-storey "L" shaped building, located on a prominent corner in the town, is of brick construction with a corrugated iron roof. A two-storey verandah wraps around the south and west elevations which front onto the streets. There are also verandahs to the rear section of the building. The lower portion of the brick walls has been painted green to curb graffiti. The timber framed double hung windows have metal bars on the outside for security purposes. The main entrance is enhanced by a roof gable with a decorative finial. The roof is supported on pairs of simple square timber posts at regular centres with infill sheeting.

History

The original Club Hotel was built cl898 and was one of only two hotels in Wiluna at that time. Titles information indicates that the hotel was owned by Vincent Abbot and Alexander Thompson. An excerpt from The Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette states: "This building is erected of sawn oregon and galvanised corrugated iron throughout, with double sash windows, doors, locks and everything complete, showing the hand of good workmanship and is second to none east of Cue." (13/3/1897) In 1918 Thomas O'Shaughnessy took over the hotel and in 1933 he had the hotel demolished and replaced with a new brick building. Designed by H. Eales of Eales & Cohen Architects and built by Messrs Todd Bros., O'Shaughnessy placed the first brick of the new hotel in position in April 1933. {The Wiluna Miner, 18/3/1933, p2 & 22/4/1933, p2) The bricklayers were Messrs Pilgrim Bros and the Hotel cost about 7000 pounds to build. (The Wiluna Miner, 2/9/1933, p2) At the same time the Weelona Hotel was also being reconstructed. In 1935 alterations and additions to provide for more bedrooms and bar space were carried out to the hotel, once again by Architect, H. Eales and builder T.W. Lees. (The Wiluna Miner, 27/9/1935, p2) In 1936 O'Shaughnessy was responsible for building a public hall in Wotton Street adjacent to the Club Hotel. [See Site 11]

Condition

Good

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Moonlight Hall - Site

Uses

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Canning Stock Route

Child Places

• 04152 Forrest's Fort (ruin)
• 18750 Windich Spring Proposed Reserve

Values

The place has historical value as it played a significant role in the pastoral industry.

The place has social value as it is used today as a tourism site.

The place has significance as it is a physical reminder of the incredible difficulties encountered in droving stock through bush over long distances in the early 19th Century.

The place has associations with AW canning who surveyed the route.

The place is associated with the need to move stock using a tick free method.

Physical Description

The Canning Stock Route stretched between Wiluna and Halls Creek, a distance of approximately 1850 km. The wells along the route include bores, lined wells, and modified natural water sources. The route is reputed to be the longest stock route in the world. A number of the wells may still be in extant and in their form. A number of wells are known to have been modified.

History

An inland stock route was discussed in the 1890s as a way of transporting cattle inland and reducing possible contamination from tick-borne disease by avoiding in settled areas. A route was surveyed in 1906 by C W Canning and a seven man team, using camels to traverse the desert. After a 14 month survey Canning reported a route would be possible through a chain of 54 stock wells, placed approximately 20 miles apart. Despite a Royal Commission on Canning’s treatment of Aboriginal people during his survey, Canning was selected to lead the well sinking expedition, which commenced in March 1908. By April 1910, 48 wells had been completed over a distance of 1850 kilometres. Despite the initial success, the route fell into disuse. This has been linked to resistance by local Aboriginal groups along the route to the wells and stock drives. In 1928, another Royal Commission saw the repairs and re-opening of the wells in 1929. The last stock drive using the route is reputed to be 1958. In the 1970s, the route became used by tourists. The Aboriginal history of the route has also become more recognised in recent years.

Archaeology

To be confirmed - archaeological potential in a number of well and construction sites.

Integrity/Authenticity

To be confirmed

Condition

To be confirmed

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Child Places

• 04152 Forrest's Fort (ruin)
• 18750 Windich Spring Proposed Reserve

Statement of Significance

The Canning Stock Route has high historic significance for its association with the pastoral industry of the East Kimberley and Surveyor, A.W. Canning.

Physical Description

Runs between Wiluna and Halls Creek, its historical significance of a 2,000km long stock route built in 1908-10, with forty-eight wells and two tanks constructed by over thirty men and led by Alfred W Canning, born and trained in Victoria and settling in Western Australia during his adult working life. The Canning Stock Route passes through three Western Australian deserts, the Little Sandy Desert, Great Sandy Desert and the Gibson Desert. There are 997 sand dunes to cross. It is a wilderness area with a very fragile ecosystem. The Canning Stock Route covers 1,867km. It is unique in that it is untainted by commercialism. The route is rich in Aboriginal heritage, communities live outside the temporary land reserve.

History

An inland stock route was first discussed in the early 1890s due to the cost and difficulty of transporting East Kimberley cattle which suffered from 'red water fever' a disease transmitted by ticks. These cattle had to be shipped south as they were not permitted to be driven through the disease free West Kimberley and Pilbara regions. When a total quarantine was placed on East Kimberley cattle in the early 1900s, prominent pastoralists of the region lobbied Parliament for an inland route, arguing that ticks would not survive the desert journey. Although previous explorers had strongly advised against the idea due to the lack of water and suitable feed, the proposal was supported by the Minister for Mines, H. Gregory, and the Government agreed to send out a survey party. In April 1906 A.W. Canning was appointed Surveyor-in-Charge and the following month a seven man team set off from Day Dawn with two ponies and 23 camels. On completion of the 14 month survey Canning reported to the Department of Lands that it would be possible to establish a stock route with fair feed and good water from 54 wells to be constructed some 20 miles apart. Canning was selected to lead the well-sinking expedition which commenced in April 1908. The stock route was last used by drovers in 1958.

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