Durack Home

Parent Place or Precinct

26001 Chesters Subdivision Heritage Area

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance:
• As an excellent example of a well designed and detailed “gentleman’s villa” of Subiaco dating from the early 20th century.
• For its aesthetic value as a good representative example of a well-designed Federation Queen Anne villa of the early 20th century, designed to a style and scale suited to the professional/business classes.
• For its aesthetic contribution to a largely intact group of early twentieth century houses.
• For its association with the ongoing development of Subiaco in the early 20th century period.
• For its association with prominent Western Australian family, the Duracks and businessman Walter Cookes.
• The tennis courts are not included in the listing.

Physical Description

• Substantial Federation Queen Anne styled house.
• Brick construction with rendered string courses.
• Symmetrical façade with the centrally placed entrance flanked by bay windows. “Strathmore” is located above the entry.
• The roof is hipped with vented gablets at the ridgeline and gables above the
front windows.
• Separate bullnose verandah canopy supported on turned timber posts.
• Two large palms flank the driveway entrance.
• Tennis court to the south of the property and well planted gardens to the front enclosed by timber picket fence.

History

James Chesters, an investor from Melbourne, purchased Perth Suburban Lots 249 to
252 in October 1891. In the following year he commenced selling residential lots in a
newly subdivided estate laid out as Deposited Plan 504 (extending across Perth
Suburban Lots 249 and 250). In August 1904, Chesters transferred Lots 133 to 136 to
Walter Cookes and the first house on the street, ‘Strathmore’, was constructed for
Cookes in c.1905.
Walter David Cookes was one of the founders of the Ezywalkin Boot and Shoe
Company in Fremantle in 1901. After the company opened its Melbourne factory in
1910 Cookes relocated to Victoria, and he offered his Subiaco house for sale at the
beginning of 1911:
“Strathmore” Situated on very high ground, from whence Rottnest
island light can be clearly seen and having a frontage of 142ft.
MODERN BRICK RESIDENCE, Containing 9 rooms and a large hall,
extra high walls, and with a verandah 8ft. 6in. at front and two
sides.
‘Strathmore’ was then purchased of James Fitzpatrick, who ran the Dairy Creek and
Dalgety Downs Stations in the Upper Gascoyne. The timing of the purchase was
linked his planned marriage to Daisy Flynn in February 1911 and the house featured
in their wedding announcement:
FITZPATRICK-FLYNN.-On February 22, at the Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception, by Monsignor Bourke, assisted by the
Rev. Dr. O'Harley, James Fitzpatrick, son of the late J. B.
Fitzpatrick,. Gascoyne, to Daisy Gertrude, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. T. Flynn, "Brookdale," Thomas-street, Perth. At home,
"Strathmore,"' Chester-st, off Hamersley-road, Subiaco, 22nd and
23rd.
The place was used as the Fitzpatrick’s city residence for a few years, but was then
leased out for the period between 1915 and 1919.
By 1920 ‘Strathmore’ had been acquired by John Durack (Lawyer) and it remained the
Durack family home until at least the late-1970s.
John Peter Durack was the son of Jeremiah Durack, one of the original Durack family
credited with opening up the Kimberley region of Western Australia in the late
1800's. Also known as "Roaring Jack" Durack, he formed the law firm of Dwyer
Durack with Walter Dwyer in 1914, and later served time as President of the Law
Society of Western Australia. John’s son, Peter Drew Durack (who grew up in this
house), was selected as Western Australia’s Rhodes Scholar in 1948. He went on to
works as a lawyer and politician, serving as a Liberal senator from 1971-1992.
A plan of the site prepared in 1927 and reviewed in 1954 for the purpose of planning
sewerage and water supply services shows that the property still occupies the original
four lots and includes the tennis court. The house has been extended to almost
double the original footprint. Aerial photographs of the place since the mid 20th
century indicate that the additions were undertaken in the late 1980s. The extent and
form of the original residence are still clearly evident.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High: the place remains in its original function as a residential dwelling.
Authenticity - High: The original external form and detailing of the original building is largely intact.

Condition

Based on a streetscape inspection the building appears to be in a good condition.

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.