Local Government
Woodanilling
Region
Great Southern
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
Great Southern Hwy Woodanilling
Location Details
Gt Southern Hwy/Burt Rd
Construction Date
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 18 Mar 2003 | Category 5 |
Category 5 |
|
Statement of Significance
The site is significant for its association with the Great Southern Railway and with the
development of transport and communications.
Physical Description
The station master's house was built adjacent to the railway station facing Burt Road and
just to the south of the junction with Robinson Road. It was a gable roof dwelling with a
straight pitch verandah on the east facing Burt Road. It was an Australian Colonial
heritage style structure typified with the simple rectangular floor plan consisting of a
central hallway leading off to rooms on either side. These had the traditional double hung
windows.
History
Railway ganger, Harry Stevens, built a wattle and daub house and the family lived in this
before shifting into the newly constructed station house. When a stationmaster was
appointed, Stevens purchased Lot 124, over the railway and built a galvanised iron
dwelling. This house was used as the first Post Office which was operated by Emily
Stevens. Mrs Stevens began her role as postmistress almost by accident. Originally with
no stationmaster, the Woodanilling mail was left at the siding on the edge of the railway
tracks for anybody to pick and sort up. Then Mrs Stevens began picking it up for safety
and to keep it out of the weather and would distribute it from their wattle and daub house.
When they moved to the station house this carried on and when in their new home this
service was officially recognised.
The house is likely to have been built around the turn of the 20th Century. Alex Errington
was the first Stationmaster to occupy it in 1904. He was succeeded by Alfred Searle the
following year. In 1908 Stationmaster, Flanders was one of three local residents to die
during the typhoid fever epidemic in Woodanilling.
The shortage of manpower during World War 1 caused the station to be unattended and
for a period the Sullivan family occupied the house.
Integrity/Authenticity
site only
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Bird; "Round Pool to Woodanilling", pp151-2, 213, 222 | 1985 | ||
| Photos 10/12, 8/24; "Round Pool to Woodanilling", p 249 | 1985 |
Place Type
Historic Site
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Rail: Housing or Quarters |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Rail & light rail transport |
Creation Date
03 Nov 2004Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
01 Jan 2017Disclaimer
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.