Moppett's Bus Lines

Statement of Significance

Moppett's Bus Service was initiated in 1939, with one bus. Pinker had a bus which Baden Moppett took over in 1940. With the advent of World War Two, manpower was a problem, so, in 1943, 16 year old Ivan Moppett was granted a special licence to drive the school buses. During the war-time fuel rationing, charcoal burning gas producers were fitted to the buses, to provided valuable transport for not only school, but important community and social interaction. In 1945 two new buses, Miss Wadderin and Miss Kumminin, replaced the original buses. In 1947 Miss Narembeen joined the fleet. By 1949, two more buses were purchased, and finding a premises to park and maintain the buses was a problem. Various sites in Narembeen were used for varying periods of time, with Moppett establishing a number of agencies at what is now the Aquip site in the early 1940s. In 1949 Moppett acquired the site of the former first school in the Narembeen town, where he subsequently constructed his premises. Post war shortages of building materials were still apparent in Narembeen, and approval was necessary to purchase bricks and cement. In 1952 the steel framework and iron cladding for the 100 feet long garage and annexes was constructed. On each side of the 40 feet wide garage was a 16 foot annexe. The office on the west side, and a brick rendered facade on the east side annexe, concealed them from the Churchill Street facade. Moppett was an agent for Attwood Motors, Vauxhalls and Chamberlain Tractors, and when Bert Beatty retired in 1952, Moppett also took over the agency for International tractors, and Caltex fuel. The premises was also a garage and workshop. Charlie A'vard took over Beatty's store, and managed the Attwood and Chamberlain agencies for Moppett. In 1962 Baden Moppett retired, his son Ivan carried on the business, and acquired 6 new International buses from Victoria. In 1968 Gregory Moppett joined the company and now owns it. In 1970 Moppetts were requested by the Education Department to set up a bus service in Port Hedland, later they assisted in Kalgoorlie and Kambalda, and Agnew. During the rural population decline in the 1980s the bus-line has responded appropriately and has a fleet of Coasters and Hi-aces.

Physical Description

garage & workshop, bus parking & office Current Use: as for original Description: The original office is a cement block and rendered structure with a parapet facade concealing the roof. The corner of the office is rounded. A concrete "eyebrow" extends the length of the frontage, and grooved horizontal banding accentuates the streamline curves of the building. The style shows an influence from the Narembeen Public Hall. The adjoining garage workshop is a functional steel framed structure.

History

Moppett's Bus Service was initiated in 1939, with one bus. Pinker had a bus which Baden Moppett took over in 1940. With the advent of World War Two, manpower was a problem, so, in 1943, 16 year old Ivan Moppett was granted a special licence to drive the school buses. During the war-time fuel rationing, charcoal burning gas producers were fitted to the buses, to provided valuable transport for not only school, but important community and social interaction. In 1945 two new buses, Miss Wadderin and Miss Kumminin, replaced the original buses. In 1947 Miss Narembeen joined the fleet. By 1949, two more buses were purchased, and finding a premises to park and maintain the buses was a problem. Various sites in Narembeen were used for varying periods of time, with Moppett establishing a number of agencies at what is now the Aquip site in the early 1940s. In 1949 Moppett acquired the site of the former first school in the Narembeen town, where he subsequently constructed his premises. Post war shortages of building materials were still apparent in Narembeen, and approval was necessary to purchase bricks and cement. In 1952 the steel framework and iron cladding for the 100 feet long garage and annexes was constructed. On each side of the 40 feet wide garage was a 16 foot annexe. The office on the west side, and a brick rendered facade on the east side annexe, concealed them from the Churchill Street facade. Moppett was an agent for Attwood Motors, Vauxhalls and Chamberlain Tractors, and when Bert Beatty retired in 1952, Moppett also took over the agency for International tractors, and Caltex fuel. The premises was also a garage and workshop. Charlie A'vard took over Beatty's store, and managed the Attwood and Chamberlain agencies for Moppett. In 1962 Baden Moppett retired, his son Ivan carried on the business, and acquired 6 new International buses from Victoria. In 1968 Gregory Moppett joined the company and now owns it. In 1970 Moppetts were requested by the Education Department to set up a bus service in Port Hedland, later they assisted in Kalgoorlie and Kambalda, and Agnew. During the rural population decline in the 1980s the bus-line has responded appropriately and has a fleet of Coasters and Hi-aces.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact/redeemable Authenticity: Medium degree

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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