Mount Morgan Municipal Chambers (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The building has landmark value and is a visual contrast to the surrounding mining site. The building is a rare example of an original civic building of modest size still existing in the Shire of Laverton.

Physical Description

Single storey brick and iron building. Displays Federation Free style elements such as bull nose verandah, filigree valance, decorative face brickwork, and pedimented parapet. The roof is hipped with gambrel vents at the rear and front and is clad in long sheets of zincalume (1980s).
The façade of the building is tuck-pointed face brick is laid in a decorative English Bond.

The building is in the foreground of the mining works of Dominion Mining Ltd that overwhelms the building's setting. The square shaped building has a rendered and fair faced brick parapet with italianate balustrading, cast cement balls on pedestals an a central feature, with a triangular pediment, that bears the building's name and date of construction. The parapet conceals a hipped roof with metal gablet vents and a corbelled brick chimney. The front elevation is tuck-pointed brickwork in Flemish bond with rendered plinth and corner ashlar quoins.

The exterior features a new panelled door and a double-hung sash window. A concrete cerandah extends across the front elevation and a reconstructed bull-nosed verandah roof protects the facade. The roof is supported on new stop-chamfered timber posts with capitals and a decorative cast-iron fringe and brackets with timber finials. The verandah balustrading is made up of timber pickets. The interior comprises and entry hallway and two rooms divided by a brick wall conrtaining a fireplace. The ceilings and cornices are pressed metal.

History

The municipality of Mt Morgan was proclaimed on 1st november 1900 (Thiel, p 691). The council was initially housed in a rented temporary building until the Municipal Chambers were completed in October 1901. They were built by Mr W Spicer for 183 pounds and were situated on Town Lot 29 (Laverton Mercury 18/08/1901, p 3).

The building was described as not being a "very imposing edifice to look at and it hasn't a tower nor a pal of bells by way of ornament, nor has it any chaste architectural design to boast of..." (Laverton Mercury, 05/10/1901, p 3).

In 1913, the Mt Morgan's Municipality was included in the Mt Margaret Road Board and on 20th January 1950, the Mt Margaret Road District became the Laverton Roads Board and in 1960 was renamed the Shire of Laverton.

Around 1990, the new owners of hte building, Dominion mIning Ltd, decided to completely renovate the badly deteriorated building. It was decided that they could use the building as a possible extension of the mine office that it adjoins. The roof had largely gone and many of the pressed iron ceiling panels were missing. The wall plaster, floors amd mostly everything else had to be replaced. Once renovated, the mining company used it as an elegant board room (Destinations p 14). The building is now occupied by Homestke Mining exploration division.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Degree
Authenticity: Moderate Degree

Condition

Good

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.