Kellerberrin Post Office & Residence

Statement of Significance

Kellerberrin is no longer the important centre of agricultural activity that once supplied the goldfields with many of it’s needs. During the period of 1910-12 many post offices were built but few were built on the grand scale found at Kellerberrin. Many towns which received a post office during this pe1iod shared a common design. Kellerberrin's importance at this period is reflected in the very individual design for its Post Office. The Post Office at Kellerberrin is a reminder of the past importance of the town in this
region and the then State Government's anticipation of the town's continued growth.

*social significance
In local context , the significance of the Post Offices as a meeting place gauged by the arrival and or departure of the mails initially, as well as a place for the dissemination of news and gossip, for the disbursement of social assistance, for the collection of war bonds and so on, the ediface is of significance to the development of a rural community. As the type of service provided changed in nature, the need to visit the post office in such a community diminished. Enormous social significance accrues to the Post Office.

Physical Description

A large, two storey brick structure with a double storey front porch. Rendered brick quoins and architraves embellish the brickwork of the front facade. The roof covering is terracotta tiles . The double storey porch is supported by concrete columns capped with ionic capitals. Plans for the building show that the ground floor was largely occupied by the postal hall. Both the dining room and kitchen were located at the rear of the public area on the ground floor. Bedrooms, a bathroom and a sitting room were located upstairs.

Compared with other post offices that were constructed by Beasley during 1912 this particular building is of a very individual design and is strikingly different to his other designs. Four of Beasley's post offices from this period feature the same design with: arched windows, wooden pediment motif in the central window arch and arched entry points. (Katanning, Moora, Narrogin and Wagin) Kellerberrin has none of the features. Kellerberrin's classical style is of a grander scale and reflects the State Government's
opinion that the town would play a key role in the region.

Externally the building has retained much of its original appearance, with some exceptions: the ventilator shaft has been removed, the decorative terracotta ridge elements have disappeared and the rear upstairs balcony has been enclosed. Internally the postal hall has been remodelled, however a portion of the original counter with its decorative pilaster elements has remained as have sections of the jarrah panelled partitions separating the postal hall from the public area.

History

Assessment 1994
Construction 1912
Architect/designer H Beasley
Builder J Park
The first settlers arrived in the area around present day Kellerberrin in 1861. In 1894 the district still had only four farns all of which ran sheep. Sandlewood cutters moved through the area on a seasonal basis. In 1887 with the opening of the Yilgam goldfield. gold seekers swelled the ranks of travellers moving eastwards. The homesteaders supplemented their income by supplying these travellers with food. In 1890 the Telegraph line between York and Southern Cross was constructed and the district's settlers grew extra chaff for the horse teams working on the line.

In 1892 the area was surveyed for a railway and in 1893 nearby Doodlakine was the terminus for the railway gangs. On completion of the railway more chaff was grown by the settlers for use in the goldfields and new farmers moved in and took up land. The town of Kellerberrin was surveyed in 1897 but it was not until the completion of the goldfields water supply in 1901 that the first sale of town lots began. The farmers began using superphosphate in 1902 and increased their crop yields. The town's growth was rapid; by 1908 a Road's Board was established and 1912 saw the erection of the Post Office and a flour mill. By 1914 the town had four churches. The pre-war years had seen great growth, but a drought in 1914 brought an end to the town's rapid growth from which it did not recover.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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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.