Royal Steam Roller Flour Mill

Statement of Significance

The Dongara Flour Mill has high historic significance given its important association with the economic and agricultural development of the Irwin District as well as its association with prominent merchant and grazier Francis Pearse. The place has high aesthetic significance, given its use of local materials, dominant scale, and siting at the main northerly entrance to the town. The Dongara Mill and surroundings have scientific significance for their potential to contribute to the better understanding of the history of the state and the district through the analysis of archaeological material from the place. The place has high social significance given the local community's commitment to its conservation.

Physical Description

1997
This imposing four storey rectangular building is constructed from locally quarried limestone with red brick quoining to window openings and corners. The simple corrugated iron gable roof has a small separate gable to the west side. There are finials to the gable apices and a flagpole to the apex of the small gable. The original surrounding and attached timber frame and corrugated iron clad structures have been demolished as has the brick chimney. Remains of concrete footings which supported the engines which provided power to the mill are evident to the north side of the building.
2004
The building is in a stable condition, windows and doors have been reinstated.

History

The Dongara Flour Mill was built in 1894 by local merchant and grazier Francis Pearse to plans supplied by Henry Simon of Manchester, England. Machinery installed at the time was a 16HP engine manufactured by Ransome, Sims and Jefferies Ltd of Ipswich, England which was the most modern technology in WA at that time. The mill was capable of producing 6 tons of flour per working day, about 7 to 8 sacks per hour. The first manager was Mr. Hare, from England, the miller was Alexander Forrest. The mill was directly connected to the Midland Railway Company line by its own siding, with much of the product being shipped to Perth and Geraldton using the line while some flour was shipped from Port Denison via the Adelaide Steam Ship Company. By 1901, the manager, Thomas Skeggs complained that there was only enough grain to keep the mill operational for six months of the year. In 1923, the mill was sold to the Victoria District Flour Milling Co. for £1325 and renamed the Dongara Mill. In 1935, economic circumstances forced the closure of the mill. During World War II, the mill was used as an army camp, much of the timber was also removed to be used for gun emplacements in the coastal dunes. With a shortage of materials, much of the internal timbers of the mill were removed following World War II.
In 1949, the mill was sold to local interests, and it was again sold in 1958 and 1960. Owners V. & W. Herriman planted the olive trees on the block in about 1970. In 1975, Sir David Brand requested that the owners consider making the building available to the National Trust of WA for preservation. The building was entered into the permanent list of the Register of the National Estate in 1978 and was classified by the National Trust of WA in 1983. In 1988-89, major reconstruction of the stone fabric and reroofing was undertaken as part of Bicentennial project, with major contributions from the private sector. In 1995, the National Trust of WA commissioned a conservation plan.
(Source: Pallassis Architects, "Dongara Old Mill Conservation Plan", 1996)
2004
The owners have had the property on the market for about 2 years.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Medium

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

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.