Teacher’s Quarters (former)

Statement of Significance

The former teachers' quarters has aesthetic, historic and social cultural heritage significance. The land on which the house is situated (Lot 42) was added to the school grounds in 1909 and became part of the Reserve 11742 (Denmark School Site).

Physical Description

The former teacher's quarters was constructed of timber weatherboard and plasterboard. It has a corrugated iron roof. The house has a central passage, front and back verandahs, a lounge room and a kitchen/dining room. Changes to the house include the removal of an internal wall which was subsequently replaced between the kitchen and bed room, a new entrance provided on the left hand side of the house to give access from the carport and the verandah enclosed. The carport and garage have been added without affecting the main building. The old wash house is still at the back of the house. Remnants of a very old septic system and leach drains can be found in the back yard.

History

The former teacher's quarters is situated behind the RSL Hall in central Denmark. It was a three bedroom home but one bedroom has been incorporated with the kitchen to make a kitchen/dining room. It was built in 1916 by AE Green for an estimated price of £498.17.0 and the teacher and family moved in on the 17th June 1916. It appears that the first teacher to live in the house was SM Darragh as he wrote on the 1st May that he was living in a boarding house because the new quarters were not finished and the old quarters were unfit for habitation, having been condemned. A copy of the original house plan is available as are copies of letters concerning the terrible condition of the previous teacher's quarters and events after the Darraghs moved in. The house was in the care of the Government Employees Housing Authority from 16th January 1974 and was sold to Peter and Monica Boyes on 15th January 1981 and Elizabeth Ivy Giles on 8th July 1982. On 12th October 1984 it was acquired by Kerry and Lynda Halse who sold it on 30th January 1998 to Clive and Fay Malcolm, the present owners.

The house has a place in the history of education in Denmark. It appears to be the first purpose built teacher accommodation. It was necessary because of the predation of termites on the previous karri timber house used by the teachers. The new quarters housed Mr Darragh and his family and subsequent teachers. It was Government housing up until 1981 for a period of 65 years and has survived in very good condition. Mr and Mrs Halse needed to extend the house but rather than alter what they believed to be an important old building, they sold it to the Malcolms who they understood wished to retain the integrity of the house and have it heritage listed. The house is the remaining building on what was the original school site and included all of the land bounded by Strickland, Bent, Price and Mitchell Streets. The area included a school (reported in December 1910 to have two airy well lit rooms), the old quarters (which although condemned for living were suggested by the teacher Mr Tuke as suitable to make into an extra room for the school) and the girls' and boys' toilets close to Price Street. The boys' toilet was close to Lot 42 and when the new quarters were built, it was realised with some concern that from the kitchen, bedroom and verandahs the male teachers and boys could be seen relieving themselves. A closed picket fence at a price of £7 was suggested.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Most

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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