Tom Simpson Park, Mullaloo

Statement of Significance

Tom Simpson Park has historic significance for its association with local identity Thomas Simpson, who donated the land for the establishment of the beach reserve. The place has social significance for the community through its association with the Mullaloo beach shacks, holiday making and recreation, and aesthetic significance for its setting and location.

Physical Description

Tom Simpson Park is comprised of a well maintained public open space, bordered by a site-specific car park, a beach access way and a café. The park also borders Bush Forever Area 325, delineated by a multi-use pedestrian pathway. Toilets blocks are located at either end of the park space; the southern block has a large mural and mosaic work, while the northern block has a pathway lined by limestone blocks with sculpted tiles attached depicting a coastal theme. The park includes children’s play equipment, multiple seating areas with shelters, and BBQ facilities. Interpretive signage on the edge of the conservation area provides information on Tom Simpson, and the conservation of the dunes.

History

Thomas William Simpson ran a dairy business in North Perth. In the 1920s he purchased around 3,100 acres from the Midland Rail Company property which is today occupied by the suburbs of Hillarys, Kallaroo, Craigie and Padbury. He leased the coastal section for beach shacks, and the rest of his landholding to graziers and dairy operators who supplied his business with milk. He also used the land to run his trotting horses. Simpson was a well-known and respected person in WA racing circles, and a member of the WA Trotting Association for 38 years. This included a term as President, and eventual presentation of life membership.

In 1939, Simpson donated three hectares of land at Mullaloo to the Wanneroo Road Board, on condition that it become public open space. The rest of Simpson’s land was eventually sold in 1954 for the sum of £38,000. The land was bought by a syndicate of shack owners, Whitfords Beach Limited, in 1967, and subsequently purchased by another syndicate consisting of Taylor
Woodrow General Agencies and another company, for subdivision and development in 1971. Part of the sale contract allowed the selection of any half-acre for himself, but Simpson died in 1968 without having made any selection.

The land Simpson donated to the public was gazetted for ‘Recreation & Parking’ on 6 July 1973, and the land began to be developed in 1974 with a car park and grassed area which defines the park today. In 1990 the grassed area of the foreshore between Iluka Avenue in the north to Merrifield Place in the south was formally named Tom Simpson Park, at a ceremony
attended by Wanneroo mayor Wayne Bradshaw, and the late Tom Simpson’s daughters Sylvia Morffitt, Dr Elsie Simpson, and Dorothy Carstairs.

On 14 March 2000 the vesting was changed from the City of Wanneroo to the City of Joondalup.

Condition

Good - assessed from street view only

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.