EASTERNHOLME (CWA holiday home)

Statement of Significance

Easternholme, 426-428 South Terrace, a complex of various timber, fibro and iron building dating from 1944, has historic significance for its original purpose as Commonwealth Government Military Quarters for personnel during World War Two. The site has historic and social value as a holiday home for families from country and remote areas established by the Country Women's Association (CWA) in the late 1940s.

Physical Description

Easternholme, 426-428 South Terrace is constructed of corrugated iron and fibrous cement sheeting. It has a skillion roof to the main part, and a further skillion roof addition to one side. The main part of the house is clad with corrugated iron, and the side addition is clad in fibrous cement sheeting. The side addition has timber framed windows to the street elevation. The iron wall has replacement windows that have an aluminium awning over. There is a face brick wall to the front boundary.

History

South Terrace was formerly called Mandurah Road. It followed the line of ancient Aboriginal tracks and was the main entrance to Fremantle from the south. Mandurah Road used to continue south along the coast, but owing to shifting sand dunes, it was necessary to make a deviation to Douro Road and travel further inland.

In 1897, an ‘iron room’ was located on Lot 11 (later 428 South Terrace). It was owned and occupied by Frank Whistler, a carter. A similar cottage was also located on Lot 10, and both were removed c. 1910.

The lots remained vacant until 1944, when the Army built weatherboard and fibro huts on the land to form their ‘Commonwealth Military Quarters’. In 1946 (after the Second World War ended), the Commonwealth withdrew from the site, and the lots were sold to the Country Women’s Association (CWA) in 1948.

The CWA, led by Emma Gallagher and Alice Williams from Nungarin, purchased the property with the view to developing the huts and land as a seaside cottage for country visitors and as holiday camps for children. The project was named ‘Easternholme’. The upgrading of the buildings was a slow process for the CWA but Easternholme was used by many community groups for conferences, handcraft, leadership schools and country fire brigades. Migrant families also stayed at the centre during winter months; the facilities were also used as holidaying facilities for the elderly. The gates at the entrance (1992) bore the names of Alice and Fred Williams and Emma Gallagher.

A diagram dated 1954 shows a complex of long, narrow weatherboard and asbestos buildings facing a large central courtyard. A kitchen block was noted as part of the northern building (the original Commonwealth Military Quarters at 426).

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the property was sold to Percy Dewar and then George Casas. The property was still used as the CWA homes – Thora Casas was a member of the CWA. In 1986, the property was sold to RB & NE Warren and it became a boarding house (Beach House) for low income earners.

In 1992, the owners submitted an application to the City of Fremantle for permission to demolish some of the existing buildings, then forming half of the boarding house. The application was approved. A two storey house was subsequently built on part of the lot.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
Medium degree of authenticity with some original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This data is provided by the City of Fremantle. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this data, the City of Fremantle makes no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which you might incur as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. Under no circumstances should this data be used to carry out any work without first contacting the City of Fremantle for the appropriate confirmation and approval.