Doctor's Residence (former)

Parent Place or Precinct

19888 Barrington Knight Road Precinct

Statement of Significance

• Formerly, the place had aesthetic value for its contribution to the Yarloop heritage area.
• Formerly, the place demonstrated the type of housing provided for professionals in the early 20th century.
• The place has historic value for its association with the provision of healthcare to the community and particularly for its association with Dr Ronald Barrington Knight who made a major contribution to the community

Physical Description

Single storey timber framed cottage with jarrah weatherboard cladding. The gabled roof is clad with corrugated iron. The façade is symmetrical with a centrally placed glazed entrance door flanked by timber framed sash windows. A skillion roofed verandah extends across the façade and the two sides of the building supported on timber columns with timber balustrade.
Additions have been undertaken to the rear and side of the residence in similar materials to the original.
There is a brick chimney and a timber picket fence encloses the garden.
Destroyed by January 2016 Yarloop/Harvey/Waroona Fire.

History

The Yarloop Doctor's residence were built in 1898 and Dr Fred Lovegrove was the first doctor in the town. As the hospital was constructed by Millar's and the doctor engaged by Millar's only employees (or in emergencies, the families of employees), could be treated at the hospital.
From 1900 until 1935, the resident doctors included; Dr L.B. Lancaster, Dr S.C. Moore, Dr L.E. Merrillees, Medical Officer C. Moore Sampson, Dr Thomas McAlinden, Dr A.N. Jacobs and Dr McColl. After 1900, mill doctors travelled weekly by train to the mills connected to Yarloop, providing a medical service to the outlying mill towns.
Dr R. Barrington Knight, became Resident Doctor in 1936 and practised there until his retirement in 1981. He was an active member of the community and Hospital Road was renamed Barrington Knight Road in his honour. The residence was restored in 2007 by the Shire of Harvey and is currently leased to private occupants.
This building was burnt down by the January 2016 Yarloop/Harvey/Waroona Fire. The chimney was left standing however has since been deemed structurally unsound and was subsequently removed.

Integrity/Authenticity

Nil/ Nil

Condition

N/A

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.