Denmark Arts Council Offices

Parent Place or Precinct

23815 Strickland Street Precinct

Values

• The place is associated with the development of the Town and Shire of Denmark, and of the provision of public and community services in the post-WWII period.
• The place is representative of the establishment and subsequent growth of the Infant Health Association of Western Australia, which was formed in 1923. It operated as the main clinic for the Denmark district from its construction in 1956 up until its closure.
• The place has associations with those nurses who have worked at the place since its construction in 1956 and also with local community members who served on the management committee of the clinic, as well as the mothers and children who have attended the clinic.
• The place is associated with Dr Eleanor M. Stang, medical supervisor for Infant Health Centres from 1929 to 1954 under whose direction the infant health movement developed and who developed a standard model for clinics, of which Infant Health Centre (fmr), Denmark is a representative example.
• The place is representative of the Infant Health Centres built in regional areas in the period following WWII until the late 1950s.

Physical Description

The place follows the standard design for a regional Infant Health Centre being a single-storey building in brick with a tiled roof and timber-framed windows. This building has wrought iron gates at the entrance to the porch which is accessed by a paved ramp to allow pram access. The words ‘Infant Health Centre’ in wrought iron lettering are attached to the front elevation near the corner. The letters ‘CH’ in wrought iron appear to be intertwined immediately adjacent to the front entry.

History

Constructed in 1956 on the site of the first school in Denmark, it was built as an Infant Health Centre after the State Government took over responsibility for the salaries of nurses working at such centres. Local authorities continued to be responsible for providing amenities and transport. In 1976, the Child Health Service (as it had been renamed) combined with the Community Health Service. By the 1980s it had become difficult to recruit nurses to work in rural locations and services began to move from dedicated centres to larger health campuses. When the Infant Health Clinic closed the building was vacant for a time until it became the home of the Denmark Arts Council. The place is the only example of a government brick building within the town's CBD.

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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.