Boulder Town Hall & Offices

Statement of Significance

Aesthetic Significance
The Boulder Town Hall possesses a considerable degree of aesthetic value, being a notable example of the Gold Boom Free Classicist style in Western Australia. The imposing form of the Town Hall, complete with ta11 clock tower prominently located at the intersection of Burt and Brookman Streets, has some significance as the focal point of Boulder township since 1908.

The quality of the interior details, particularly the pressed metal proscenium arch and ceiling of the hall, is of some significance. The drop curtain, painted by Phil W Goatcher, is a rare surviving example of his artwork in Western Australia, adding to the aesthetic value of the hall interior.

Historic Significance
As an imposing and substantial public building, the Boulder Town Hall has historic value as evidence of the prosperity experienced in the Eastern Goldfields at the turn of the century. The scale and stature of the building reflects the confidence of Boulder's civic leaders in the continued prosperity and growth of their town.

Social Significance
Boulder Town HaU has considerable social value as the administrative, civic and social centre of Boulder for over eighty years. Despite the town's administrative amalgamation with Kalgoorlie, the Town Hall's social role and value continues.

Representativeness
Boulder Town Hall is representative of administrative and civic buildings constructed in Western Australian towns due to the econom ic stimulus provided by the 1890's gold boom.

Physical Description

The Boulder Town Hall is an imposing brick and stone building with clock tower at street comer, comprising municipal offices and council chambers, library, town hall, and dressing rooms. A gallery runs around the sides of the hall which also has a mechanical sliding roof.

The interior detailing of the building, described as exuberant, reflects the pride, confidence and new wealth of the goldfield community as well as contemporary aesthetic values. The proscenium arch and the elaborately patterned ceiling, both fashioned in pressed metal, are impressive examples of the range of building materials available in Western Australia as a result of the goldrush.

Apperly (et al) in A Pictorial Guide to Identifying Australian Architecture, describes the Boulder Town Hall as an exemplar of the Federation Free Classical style of architecture.

History

Assessment 1993
Construction 1907-1908

The Boulder Town Hall was designed by Mr A Oswold Wilson of Boulder and constructed for the Boulder Municipal Council at a cost of £11,200 by Mr Octavius Stubbs of Perth.
The Hall was opened on 23 June 1908 amongst much celebration which was documented in the Kalgoorlie Miner newspaper. At the celebration of the opening, the Governor was presented with a souvenir gold key, manufactured by Messrs. Mazzuchelli & Downes, bearing the inscription that recorded the details of the event. The presence of the Governor at the opening ceremony indicates the significance of the occasion and the importance of the building in the town's development.

Once the Town Hall had been officially declared open, the musical section of the function commenced. The festivities surrounding the opening of the Hall continues for a number of days with further musical performances being held at the Hall.

Following the amalgamation of the Kalgoorlie and Boulder Town Councils in 1989, there was a rationalisation of Council activities and subsequently the functions fo the Boulder Town Hall changed. The Hall continues to be the focus of social and cultural activity within the community. However, the former council offices are now used and an art gallery and exhibition space.

A major feature of the building is the drop curtain, "The Bay of Naples", painted by Phil W Goatcher who was a scene painter of world renown. Goatcher arrived in Melbourne in 1867 aboard the Dover Castle, having apprenticed himself to a Liverpool shipping company. However, he took leave and walked to the Ba11arat goldfields to join relatives. Finding little success he left Australia seeking employment in America and Britain.
During the 1870's and 1880's he acquired a considerable reputation in the USA as a scenic artist, his speciality being drop-curtains (painted canvas cloths in lieu of flats). Goatcher returned to Australia in 1890, paining scenery for J C Williamson's theatrical productions in Melbourne, before moving to Western Australia in 1906 in search of a drier climate. Goatcher, with his son James, established a successful painting and decorating business in West Perth. The original subject of the Boulder curtain was the Rock of Gibraltar, however Goatcher subsequently altered it to the Bay of Naples to please the Italian goldfields community.

The scenic curtain, an integral part of the internal decoration of the Boulder Town Hall, is th only known example of Goatcher's scenic painting in Western Australia. Other examples of Goatcher's art are to be found in the chapel of St Gertrude's School, New Norcia, All Saints' Church, Collie and St John's Church, Fremantle.

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Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.