House

Statement of Significance

House, 12 Molloy Street, a single storey brick, weatherboard and iron house has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
the place is an unusual example of the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture;
the place has landmark qualities and contributes significantly to the streetscape and the community's sense of place;
it was built for the Government Medical Officer, Dr David Williams, who is credited with establishing the first Bunbury Government Hospital.

Physical Description

House, 12 Molloy Street is a single storey brick, weatherboard and iron house with an asymmetrical facade designed in the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture. The walls are face and rendered brick with some sections of timber weatherboard. The roof is hipped with a gablet to the top of the roof and has a rendered brick chimney with unusual rendered decoration. There is a verandah under a broken back corrugated iron roof supported by timber posts with decorative timber brackets. One corner of the building projects forward and has dark brown painted decoative timbers reminiscent of the 'Old English' style often seen in Queen Anne style buildings. A timber picket fence is situated on the front boundary line.

History

Molloy Street is named for John and Eliza Molloy, who arrived in Fremantle in 1830. They settled first at Augusta and then at the Vasse. Georgiana Molloy, an amateur botanist, sent collections of wildflowers to England.

House, 12 Molloy Street, was built c 1900 for the Government Medical Officer, Dr David Williams.

David Williams arrived from England in 1893 and came to Bunbury in 1895 after two years as the Medical Officer at Carnarvon. He was the Government Medical Officer in Bunbury from 1895 to 1909.

He built a brick and iron house at 12 Molloy Street in 1900. Decorative timberwork were a feature of the verandah and inside the house.

Dr Williams is attributed with establishing the Bunbury Government (later Bunbury District) Hospital. He was a lieutenant with the Bunbury Volunteer Rifles in 1901 and Captain in Command in 1903. He was a good rifleman, who also enjoyed horseracing and sailing, and was a talented photographer.

In 1909, Dr Williams was transferred to Fremantle as the Resident Medical Officer. He later set up in private practice in Perth. He established one of the first citrus orchards (Eden Bower) in the Harvey district in his retirement.

On 12 July 1905, House, 12 Molloy Street was sold to A W Raynes for £90. Rayes sold it on to Robert Smith Taylor £580 only a year later. In 1920 Eva Ella Moxon sold the house to Ruby Evelyn Jackson for £575. The house was sold again in 1934 and was brought by A. M. McGregor for £785.

In 1999 the house was owned by Thomas “Bill” Clarke. Mr Clarke told of some of the history of the house in an oral history interview in the 1990s.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
Medium degree of authenticity - alterations but with much original fabric remaining
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

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.