Koombana Steam Roller flour Mill - site

Statement of Significance

DEMOLISHED
Koombana Flour Mill was established by Robert Forrest and his father William in 1878 and it was both a prominent landmark in the Bunbury town centre and an important part of the local economy. When the Forrests installed a pair of steel rollers in 1889, Koombana was the first mill in Western Australia to have this new machinery.

Physical Description

DEMOLISHED
Was a substantial two storey brick building, with high chimneys rising from the roof. The office administration was located in a separate building facing Henry Street.

History

Koombana Flour Mill was built by Robert Forrest and his father, William, in 1879. It was a substantial two storey brick building, with high chimneys rising from the roof. The office administration was located in a separate building facing Henry Street.

William Forrest had substantial experience in milling in the Bunbury district. He had earlier built water flour mills at Mill Point and Picton and after these failed, another at Leschenault. His was more successful, but a fire in September 1867, caused losses valued at £3,000. Forrest rebuilt his mill, which opened for business in 1868.

It is presumed that when Robert and William built their mill in town in 1878 that the machinery from the Leschenault Mill was adapted into the new structure.

When the Forrests installed a pair of steel rollers in 1889, Koombana was the first mill in Western Australia to have this new machinery. The roller technology was a breakthrough in the industry and was used in conjunction with the traditional millstones, indicating that the ‘half-high’ milling process was likely to have been used.

The output from the mill was strictly for the local market which the Forrest family had been serving since 1846.

Robert Forrest was manager of the Koombana Flour Mill until his death in November 1924. The mill was then taken over by Ted Properjohn until it closed in 1929.

Integrity/Authenticity

DEMOLISHED

Condition

No visible remains.

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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