Railway Barracks, Wongan Hills

Parent Place or Precinct

12594 Wongan Hills Railway Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place demonstrates ways of life no longer practiced and significant associations with the construction of the railway line. The barracks are one of the few remaining examples as comprehensive as the Wongan Hills barracks, and form an integral part of the railway precinct. Located in the main though road north and south of Wongan Hills, the barracks form an essential landmark and character of the town of Wongan Hills.

Physical Description

Timber framed and weatherboard clad. Each accommodation unit is a separate room with approx 1 metre space between each room. Two rows of the rooms form a hall way through the centre, which the door of each unit opens onto. The entire complex of rooms is roofed with a gable pavilion roof clad with corrugated iron. A separate dwelling is located at the south end of the barracks, and is connected by a covered walkway

History

Goomalling was the railhead in 1902. From 1905, when land in the Wongan Hills region began to be settled, there was agitation for a railway line. The railway between Goomalling to Wongan Hills officially opened in 1911. In 1912, construction of the line northwards to Mullewa began from both ends. Wongan Hills became the centre for the construction workers for the new railway and the barracks were constructed to accommodate them. The barracks design was very specific to cope with the severe climate. By 1921 they were extended.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: intact or redeemable Authenticity: high degree

Condition

Fair - Good

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Station Master's House, Wongan Hills

Parent Place or Precinct

12594 Wongan Hills Railway Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place demonstrates ways of life no longer practiced. The place is integral within the Railway precinct and forms part of the townscape character of Wongan Hills.

Physical Description

Brick construction with a gabled corrugated iron roof.

History

After the Railway line was officially opened in Wongan Hills in August 1911, it was sometime before an official station master was appointed to the railhead. A local person assumed a caretaker role and organised everything arriving and departing from the station, which caused some problems. The station first operated as a goods and coaching station from 1 August 1913. In 1914, goods disappearing from the railway station was a problem and urgent requests were sent to the Railway Department for an Official Stationmaster. Local Members of Parliament were lobbied for assistance in the matter. The first Stationmaster was H. Dinsdale, who remained until 1922. As was the usual practice for stationmaster's in the employ of the Government Railways, a house was provided in close proximity to the railway station.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: intact Authenticity: high degree

Condition

Good

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Railway house

Parent Place or Precinct

12462 Railway Houses, Ganzer Street

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place is representative of the accomodation provided for the railway workers at that time. It demonstrates a way of life, and is an example of a type of which occupies most of that street. .

Physical Description

Timber framed and weatherboard clad residence with return verandahs around three sides, under the main tiled gambrel roof. The verandah has a fibro clad dado height enclosure.

History

The houses were provided for railway employees who worked on the trains, and in administration and managerial positions.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: intact Authenticity: high degree

Condition

Fair - Good

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Railway Houses, Ganzer Street

Parent Place or Precinct

12594 Wongan Hills Railway Precinct

Child Places

• 25285 Railway house

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Child Places

• 25285 Railway house

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Wongan Hills Hospital (fmr)

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

: The place has significant associations with the first resident doctor, and subsequent doctors in Wongan Hills. It demonstrates a way of life associated with hospital and medical services. It has a 'sense of place' for generations of people in the district who have had associations with the hospital. It is a good example of its type and period of which few such intact and authentic examples still remain. It is integral within the streetscape and the character of the town of Wongan Hills.

Physical Description

The timber framed single storey structure has a corrugated iron roof. The original building is a "T" shape with surrounding verandahs. The building was elevated at the front due to the slope of the land. Steps are central within the original facade as is a gable detail in the otherwise hipped roof, with the verandahs under the main roof at a break pitch. The verandah columns and brackets are conservatively detailed, and the balustrade is vertical tongue and groove boards. The floor are timber on a timber substructure throughout. The exterior of the building is clad with fibro sheeting. The interior walls have a hard plaster finish. The 1937 extension has been constructed in the same manner and detail as the original 1930s construction.

History

The railway line north from Goomalling was completed in 1911 thus making Wongan Hills the railhead at that time. By 1920, the population of the district was over 650 people, and the need for a hospital was becoming urgent. The issue was ignored for some time until 1927 when the matter was raised again at the Roads Board meeting. Donations were being made to the Goomalling and Dalwallinu Hospitals, although it was decided in 1928, that as more residents used the Goomalling Hospital, donations to Dalwallinu Hospital would cease. Following interest from a Doctor, to establishing a practice, a ratepayers meeting formed a Committee for the purposes of securing a doctor and a hospital for the region. The Union Bank promised an advance, and it was decided that the hospital would be constructed in such a way that it could function as a boarding house if the hospital did not carry on. It was intended to rent the premises to the Doctor, and a Committee was formed to carry on the scheme; JH Ackland, HC Chidlow, TM Hawker, PW Gorman, & D Evans as Secretary. After selecting the site, most suitable, which had excellent views, a submission for the land was made to the Lands Department in 1928. In 1929, the Dalwallinu Hospital had an extension and the Health Department declined Wongan's application. In October 1929, Dr Stenning who had taken up residence in Wongan Hills, commenced practice in the town. A residence was soon constructed for the doctor, and he assisted the local community and the Hospital Committee in the establishment of a hospital facility. The initial cost of the hospital was met by public subscription and the Union Bank advance, with no assistance from the Health Department. A £400 donations from the Bush Nursing Society facilitated the maternity wing. Sufficient funds were in place for construction to begin in May 1930, and the official opening took place on 18 October 1930. A gala day with an aerial carnival had been planned for the opening, however an airline disaster only days before, dissuaded the Lieutenant Governor flying to Wongan Hills, although the air pageant went ahead, and many people enjoyed a flight on the day. Vernon Hamersley MLC officially opened the hospital during a ceremony conducted by JH Ackland, the Chairman of the Hospital Committee. It wasn't until 1931 that appropriate staff were acquired, and the hospital began operation. By 1937, it was necessary to substantially extend the Hospital, the labour ward was extended and upgraded, and 3 two bed wards, a bathroom and lobby, were added along the Camm Street frontage of the hospital. In the years immediately after World War Two, more alterations took place with the enclosure of the front corner verandahs to provide more facilities. In the 1950s the Doctor's consulting room and waiting rooms were located within the building on the Mitchell Camm corner. In 1965, a new hospital facility was constructed in Wongan Hills, and the vacant former hospital became the responsibility of the Shire of Wongan Ballidu. In 1971, the Wongan Ballidu Museum/Historical Society took over the premises. On 14 April 1972, the Minister for Local Government, Claude Stubbs, officially opened the museum. The Museum is recognised as an official Municipal Museum by the Trustees of WA Museums.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact or redeemable Authenticity: high degree

Condition

Good

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