Facey Residence (fmr)

Statement of Significance

This place has historic value for its association with Albert Facey who served on the
Mundaring Road Board as a member and Chairman during the 1950s. Albert Facey is
also known for his autobiography that celebrated and acknowledged the dignity of
working men and women and their contribution to the community, particularly in
regional Western Australia.
The place has aesthetic and social value as a demonstration of a simple family home
in the Post War International style that is typical of scale of home for working families
during the 1950s.

Physical Description

This single storey timber framed residence has a rectangular plan form and a pitched roof
clad in corrugated sheet metal. The roof extends in a broken pitch to cover the verandah on
the north elevations. The remainder of the elevations appear to be enclosed verandahs, or
skillion additions.
The walls are clad in weatherboard to sill height and fibre cement sheeting above. The
windows are metal framed.
The residence is located on a gently sloping site that enables direct access to the interior of
the building on the southern elevation, and the north elevation is elevated. On the north
elevation the verandah is accessed by timber stairs and timber balustrades are ‘St Andrews
Cross’ style.
The residence is set in a large lot which is predominantly grassed with mature trees on the
property boundary. A large shed on the Newton Street side of the property obscures the
view of the original residence.

History

This house was the home of Albert Facey (1894-1982) and his wife Evelyn Mary Gibson
(1897–1976). The couple had lived in many towns in Western Australia before settling in
Mount Helena in the early 1950s. Albert Facey was self-employed poultry and pig farmer and
businessman and served on the Mundaring Roads Board as a councillor and also Chairman
of the board for 1956-57. He retired in 1958 following a major heart attack. This is the home
Albert Facey occupied during the time he served on the Mundaring Road Board.
In 1981, Albert Facey rose to notoriety with the publication of his best-selling auto biography,
‘A Fortunate Life’ which has subsequently been realised in film and on the stage. The book
celebrates the life of Albert Facey and the communities in which he lived and worked.
From the readily available information and the physical evidence, this residence was built in
the 1930s. The previous occupants and builder of the residence have not been determined.
In 1953, Albert and Evelyn Facey moved into the home which was transferred to Evelyn
Facey on 25 May 1953.
In 1958, Albert Facey suffered a major heart attack, and in 1959 the couple sold the house
and relocated to another property closer to medical services.
Aerial photographs suggest that the lot included a small orchard of fruit trees around the
house. The current owners believe the substantial rose bush in the front garden may date
from the time of the original construction or soon after.
Since the 1980s, the house has been extended to the north although the original form and
extent of the residence can be determined. Other later structures on the lot date from c2013
and have no heritage value.

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.