Christian Brothers' Agricultural School Group

Child Places

• 25465 St Mary's Convent - Christian Brothers' Agricultural School
• 25465 St Mary's Convent - Christian Brothers' Agricultural School
• 25464 St Mary's Chapel - Christian Brother's Agricultural School
• 25464 St Mary's Chapel - Christian Brother's Agricultural School

Statement of Significance

The Main Building is an integral part of the Christian Brothers' Agricultural School complex which is a unique
example of a farm school designed and developed by the Christain Brothers for the education of boys who
showed potential as farmers. The building has considerable historic significance and is closely associated with
renowned Priest-Architect Monsignor John Haweswhose works are prominent in the MidWest Region. The
building has a high degree of artistic and technical sophistication and exhibits the architectural motifs of the
Inter-War Romanesque Style. The place is highly valued by the Catholic community, former students and the
wider Mullewa community and contributes to the community's sense of place. Further the place has landmark
qualites owing to its elevated position and distinctive architectural form.

Physical Description

Located on the east side of Kelly Road approximately 1 kilometre north of the intersection with Mindage Spring
Road, the Christian Brothers Agricultural College commands an elevated position with views of the
surrounding countryside including south to the Pallottine Brothers' Wandalgu Hostel. The complex consists of
a number of buildings, including substanttal two storey masonry bulding as well as single storey school
buildings and facilities spread over a large area. The Main Building is centrally located within the complex and
consists of a large two storey rendered concrete block building with a hipped and gabled clay tiled roof with
parapets. The building comprises two wings either side of a central walk-through stretching east-west. The
southern facade is symmetrical, with a tall central tower section and projecting parapet walls to gable roofs at
each end. Originally there were open verandahs at both ground and first floor levels on all four facades, but
most of the upper level verandahs have now been filled in with aluminium framed windows. There are
matching tall rendered and truncated columns to the ground floor verandah. There are undergound water
tanks to the corners of the building. (Refer to the conservation plan for a detailed description of the building)

History

In 1927 uncleared land was secured by the Christian Brothers to construct an agricultural school with the
purpose "to prevent the drift to the city of aid boys, originally from the counrty". In 1928, Bro Paul Keaney and
Bro E. Mulguinney arrived to prepare for the first eight boys who arrived the following year. The original site
was located 3kms to the south, however a new site was selected and plans were prepared for the main
building by priest architect Monsignor John Hawes. Work commenced on the building in 1935,with much
construction work carried out by the staff and students, with professional supervision. The only Significant
change to the original Hawes' design was a reduction in the height of the central tower. The original wing of
the Main Building was officially blessed and opened by His Lordship the Most Reverend Dr J.P. O'Collins,
Bishop of Geraldton on 6 December 1936. The Foundation Stone was laid by the Hon J.J. Keneally,
Chairman of the Lotteries Commission on 18 October 1936. Designed by Architects Summerhayes and
Associates, the Western Wing was built between 1953 and 1956. The school had its peak number of 250
boys in 1943 when the Airforce occupied the Clontarf Orphanage in Perth, forcing the boys to relocate to the
Mullewa facility. After 1963, no more orphan boys went to the school. In recent times the numbers of students
declined and the school closed several years ago. (Refer to the conservation plan for a detailed history of the
building)

Integrity/Authenticity

Original Fabric: Largely intact

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.