House

Statement of Significance

The place has been associated with the activities of the Young Australia League from the time of purchase by the League in 1920/1921 and is associated with the founder of the Young Australia League, J.J. Simons, and with other prominent West Australians who were members of the organisation including State Premier Sir Walter James and prominent architect Lionel Boas whose architectural firm Oldham Boas was responsible for the design of the Young Australia League Building.
It is also associated with the thousands of young people who took part in the programmes of the League.
The place, a simple example of a two storey late nineteenth century residential building, is the only residential style building in the Murray Street East Precinct and a rare example of a substantial late nineteenth century house in central Perth.
The place was the home of a prominent member of the Roman Catholic community, philanthropist, property investor and politician Timothy Quinlan who, together with his father-in-law, Daniel Connor, invested in significant land holdings in central Perth which became known as the Connor-Quinlan Estate.
The place forms an important component of the streetscape.

Physical Description

Two storey rendered and painted brick and iron roof house, with double height front verandah in the Federation Queen Anne style.

History

The property was originally part of a larger lot owned by Thomas Helms in 1840. A house was recorded in the rates books from 1880 and occupied by Sarah Sherwood. In 1886 it was run as a boarding house by Mrs Giblin. In 1892 Timothy Quinlan was the occupier of the house which was owned by Daniel Connor. Quinlan and Connor owned many properties within Perth. The current brick house was built circa 1895 and the second storey added in 1897/1898. Outbuildings were located at the rear of the house.
In 1904 the building was rented and a boarding house was run from the building. In 1905 Kenneth Philip lived in the house and established a garden. In 1920 the Young Australia League purchased the property from Timothy Quinlan. The house was converted into flats. The Young Australia League planned their headquarters building located next to the house. The former house was rented to government departments and the Children’s Court which was previously located in the building moved to different premises. During the 1920s and 1930s a boarding house was run from the building. This was common at the time for large houses to be divided up. The building is used as office space.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - low level of integrity.
Authenticity - largely as originally constructed with detail intact.

Condition

Good

Uses

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.