Gibbs House (demolished), Joondalup

Statement of Significance

The site of Gibbs House (demolished) has historic significance for its association with Ted and Sylvia Gibbs who together contributed to local government and community groups. The Gibbs family was first established in the area in the 1860s.

Physical Description

The limestone foundations of the former house are in situ, as are the avenue of trees that originally lined the driveway. Due to their orientation, the foundations of the former house provide a sense of the view from the house across Lake Joondalup and the natural bush landscape. The site is now incorporated into the greater Lake Joondalup Reserve.

History

After colonisation, among the earliest families to purchase leases in the district was the Gibbs family. From the 1860s Henry Wrighton Gibbs (1834-1893) grew vegetables and began dairy farming at the 14-mile peg on Wanneroo Road.

Edward John Gibbs (Ted) married Sylvia Leach in 1930 in West Perth, and they went on to have two sons, Len and Allan. The couple’s first home was in Gibbs Road. In 1939 Ted entered local government, serving for 17 years. Sylvia joined the Wanneroo Red Cross and became its Secretary. Ted was always involved in activites across Wanneroo, and was instrumental in getting the Wanneroo Showgrounds grassed. Prior to this the Wanneroo boys played football
on the sand.

In 1945 Ted and Sylvia Gibbs bought a property at Joondalup (the subject of this place record), north of the present-day Joondalup Health Campus and close to the corner of Joondalup Drive and Lakeside Drive. The property overlooked Lake Joondalup and was surrounded by market gardens. There was a long driveway leading off Lakeside drive to the
east, lined by an avenue of trees.

In 1946 the Gibbs’ built a brick home by the lake and put 15 acres under irrigation for market gardening. The bore water on the property proved to have a very high salt water content; 116 grains to the gallon; which caused the vegetables to fail. After several attempts and considerable expense to find fresher water, Ted Gibbs eventually put an underground tank in to store rainwater.

On a walk through the Clarkson-owned property one day, Ted Gibbs uncovered a good deposit of high quality sandstone. Gibbs approached Clarkson, resulting in him establishing a lease on the land. Ted Gibbs applied for mineral rights and a permit to quarry stone. It took 18 months to receive approval, but this saw Ted and Sylvia Gibbs turn from market gardening to sandstone quarrying. In 1958 the couple left Joondalup and moved to Mandurah.

In 1975 under the Metropolitan Regional Scheme most of the land which now comprises of Yellagonga Regional Park were reserved as ‘Parks and Recreation’. Since then most of the private lands within the park have been acquired by State planning authorities.

Aerial photos show that the house was in a deteriorated state and/or was demolished sometime between 1985 and 1995. The foundations of the former house are now part of Regional Open Space within the Yellagonga Regional Park, and provide a viewing platform for photographers and visitors to Lake Joondalup.

Uses

Historic Themes

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