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Gingin Post Office

Author

Shire of Gingin

Place Number

01076
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Location

16 Brockman St Gingin

Location Details

Cnr Brockman & Constable Streets

Local Government

Gingin

Region

Avon Arc

Construction Date

Constructed from 1886

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents More information
Heritage List Adopted 17 Oct 2017
State Register Registered 27 Feb 1996 Register Entry
Assessment Documentation
Heritage Council

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management More information
Category Description
Statewide Post Office Survey Completed 01 Mar 1992

Heritage Council
Classified by the National Trust Recorded 05 Mar 1979

Heritage Council
Municipal Inventory Adopted 17 Oct 2017 Category A

Category A

A place of exceptional cultural heritage significance to Shire of Gingin and the state of Western Australia, that is either in the Heritage Council of WA's Register of Heritage Places or worthy of consideration for entry in the Register. A development application needs to be submitted to the Heritage Council for any proposed development. Recommend: Retain and conserve the place. Full consultation with property owner prior to making the recommendation.

Statement of Significance

Gingin Post Office is significant as a rare example of the Colonial Government's post office building program and is the oldest extant purpose built post office in Western Australia. It represents the vigorous lobbying by the Gingin community for its construction and the associated connection to the telegraph line from Perth to Geraldton. It represents the complementary association between police and postal service in the early development of public facilities. The residence demonstrates the role and lifestyle of the postmaster at the time.

Physical Description

The masonry building faces Constable Street in an elevated position overlooking the town. The building is domestic in scale and design. The frontage is symmetrical with two protruding bays rooms with faceted bay windows flanking the central entry. The hipped tiled roof continues over the central entry with gablets to the flanking elements. Additions on both sides of the frontage have break pitch skillion extensions of the main roof.

History

The first mail service to Gingin (at WL Brockman's property) was in 1853 on the Champion Bay route. In 1854 John York set up post office at Creaton, becoming the first post master and Registrar, until 1863. Mrs Tyler, the policeman's wife, and school mistress who lived near the police paddock in the establishing town, became post mistress, and in 1864 John Cockram was contracted for the monthly mail delivery. In 1881 Mrs Hackett was Postmistress, with mail distributed through the Police station. Tenders for the Post Office quarters were called on 20 August 1886. It was constructed by Chas Smith on Police reserve land next to police station. Officially opened on 28 October 1886. Mr and Mrs Hackett resided there 1893-1914 with Mrs being the Postmistress and Mr being the police officer (until 1893).
George Temple Poole was the Government Architect of the period, and his design influence is evident in Gingin Post Office and the other six that were built to the same design in that period; Pingelly, Narrogin, Wagin, Katanning, Broomehill, Mt Barker.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High degree
Authenticity: Moderate degree

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Dr I H Van Bremen; "Thesis submission for the Doctorate of Philosophy- Dept of Architecture". UWA 1990

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use Transport\Communications Comms: Post or Telegraph Office
Original Use Transport\Communications Comms: Post or Telegraph Office
Present Use RESIDENTIAL Single storey residence

Architectural Styles

Style
Victorian Georgian

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall BRICK Rendered Brick
Wall RENDER Roughcast
Roof TILE Cement Tile

Historic Themes

General Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Law & order
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY Government policy
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS Mail services
OCCUPATIONS Technology & technological change
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY Technology & technological change
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS Technology & technological change
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS Telecommunications

Creation Date

24 Jan 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

10 Jun 2021

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.