Tasker's Cottage

Statement of Significance

Aesthetic Value The establishment of a golf course on the agricultural lands surrounding the cottage has led to the retention of the building hi a rural setting, while at the same time giving the cottage landmark qualities in the golfing environment.
Historical Value The building provides an important link with the early development of the Kwinana district and the early farming practices of colonial Western Australia. The cottage demonstrates the pattern of development which can be found in many early farmhouses, that is, the construction of a basic dwelling which was then extended in later years once the family became settled and more affluent.
Social Value The place is highly valued by the local community for its historical associations with pioneering families who were important in the district.
Scientific Value The place has the potential to reveal archaeological material which could confirm more accurately the construction date of the cottage, while at the same tune providing insights into how early settlers lived during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Rarity This type of building in its rural setting is not commonly found in the Kwinana district. Buildings of this vintage are not commonly found in the Metropolitan area of Perth.

Physical Description

The building is a simple rectangular structure with verandahs to front and back and covered with a hipped roof. Skillion roofs (rear verandah) cover portions of the building. All roof sections are clad with corrugated galvanised iron. The four rooms in the western section (considered to represent the oldest part of the cottage) are constructed of rubble stone walling which has been rendered externally and plastered internally. The openings on the north elevation of these rooms have timber lintels. The three rooms in the eastern section of the building are constructed from limestone blocks with brick quoining to corners and openings. A thin limestone render has been applied to the external face of the walls and then marked out to resemble ashlar masonry. The internal walls are constructed from brick and plastered. The window and door openings in this section are constructed with brick arches.

History

Assessment 1998
Construction c.1850's
Alterations/additions 1870's, 1910, 1965
The following historical information has been summarised from the Palasses Conservation Plan. (see references) The property was originally owned by Marshall McDermott who was granted Cockburn Sound LOG. 18 in 1842. McDermott was granted a total of 160 acres in the Kwinana district and had other land grants elsewhere in the Colony. McDermott had been an officer m the Eighth Infantry Regiment of the British Army. He retired m 1829 and emigrated to the Swan River Colony in 1829. Due to the materials and servants that he brought with him, McDermott was entitled to a total grant of 27,000 acres. Together with George Leake, he established Western Australia's first bank. As he was the Manager of the Perth branch of the Bank of Australasia and resided in Guildford, it seems unlikely that McDermott ever lived on the Kwinana property, preferring to rent the land to tenants.
The first known occupiers were Thomas and Eliza Smirk who lived on the property between c. 1855-c. 1881. It is unclear when the first section of the cottage was constructed. Using physical and documentary evidence, the Palassis Conservation Plan proposes that the cottage began as a simple two-room dwelling (constructed c. 1850s) which was later extended in c. 1870s by the Smirks as their family grew (they had 14 children).
Local folklore has it that the cottage gained it's name by being the first farm in Western Australia to produce wheat. However, the first wheat crop was harvested at Guildford in 1830 and the Smirk's apparently grew a variety of fruits and vegetables, not wheat. McDermott moved to South Australia in 1846 however, it was not until 1867, that he sold Lot 18 to James Herbert, a publican at Fremantle. Herbert and his brother operated the Rockingham Inn and resided in Fremantle. The Cockburn property was probably an investment as the Smirks continued to rent the property. Herbert sold the property to Alexander and John Forrest m 1888 and they continued the practice of renting the property out to tenants.
In 1905, the property was sold to James Stokes and he became the first owner to actually occupy the property. He extended the cottage c.1910s, adding on three rooms to the eastern side. During the Stokes Family's occupancy the property operated as a dairy farm. Stokes died in 1917 and the property was granted to Thomas Morris who then sold it to John Thorpe in 1920, and he in turn sold the property to Frederick Tasker in 1924.
The Tasker Family continued to operate the property as a dairy farm, supplementing their income with maize and hay crops. The land was resumed by the Crown in 1953 and in 1954 the Kwinana Roads District took over the control of the property. The farm was used for various recreational purposes by the Shire and currently operates as a Golf Course. The cottage is used as the caretaker's residence.

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.