King River Hall

Statement of Significance

King River Hall, a one-room timber framed, corrugated iron clad hall building constructed in 1900 to a Public Works Department plan and exhibiting some broad characteristics of the Federation Queen Anne Style, with enclosed verandah (1913) and kitchen and toilet extension (2005), has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place is a rare and fine remaining example of a modest iron clad agricultural hall and a rare example of such a place still in use in its original function containing an original World War I honour board. The place is highly valued as the focal point of King River social life since its construction in 1900, and demonstrates an ongoing way of life at King River which, while relatively close to the population centre of Albany, still retains much of its rural community atmosphere. The place represents the provision of State Government support to regional communities through the construction of standard design public buildings, which in this case was completely funded by a Grant-in-Aid. The place is closely associated with the King River Settlers' Association who instigated the construction of the place and used it as their meeting venue for over 70 years. The place, located in an informal parkland cleared setting, contributes to the aesthetic qualities of the rural landscape in the outlying Albany district of King River.

Physical Description

King River Hall is a modest timber framed, corrugated iron clad and gable roofed hall building constructed in 1900 as a reduced length variation of the standard Public Works Department plan for agricultural halls. Some of the notable features of this place include: • Set just off Millbrook Rd next to tennis courts • Raised from ground level on stumps • Simple rectangular design • Steeply pitched gabled, corrugated iron roof • Corrugated iron clad walls • Verandah enclosed by metal deck • Tall central brick chimney with decorative top Some obvious modifications include: • Enclosure of the verandah • Brick addition to the rear

History

These historical notes were prepared by Mary Scchaffner, King River Recreational Club Secretary. The King River Hall has been a centre of community activity since its establishment c1900. King River takes its name from Philip Parker King famous for his expeditions around Australia by sea. In the 1890s land was selected in the King River area by the Friebe and Gibb families. Tea gardens were created by the Freibes and the Gibb family planted vegetables and an orchard, mainly apples. These two families still had descendants on their original properties in 2000. By 1900 the district had grown considerably and a hall was considered necessary to develop the social side of the district. Building tenders were called for the hall on 19 April 1900. A government grant was obtained to cover the cost which was £210. Mr Mawson was the successful tenderer. The hall was officially opened on 28 November 1900. The hall was used for Agricultural Shows to display local produce of fruit and vegetables. A 1908 photograph portrays the hall in use for a show. In 1913 the hall was used as a temporary school while the school was being repaired from white ant damage. This happened again in 1930. Other uses of the hall include a debating club which was formed in 1935, Scouts and dances. Memories from long term resident of the King River district, Evelyn Weston (who was 94 in 1994) included going to dances at the hall. We went to the King River Hall for dances, old waltzes played with great vigour. Concertinas and things. Lots of singing but not by me! Various sporting groups used the hall as a clubroom, these included tennis and cricket. World War II (1939-1945) interrupted many of these activities. Community meetings were also held in the hall particularly strong was the Progress Association which stayed active from the 1930s until June 1973. In 1957 the King River Youth Club was formed by Ern and Jean Baker to help young people to learn to dance. The music was played on the piano and the hall was hired for a small sum each Friday night until the 1960s. When Ern and Jean Baker left the district the club was carried on by Pat and Stan Negri. The King River Recreational Club was founded to provide training for basketball players (and later netball) to play competitively in Albany. The sports courts were dilapidated so two courts were demolished, resurfaced and re-fenced. The recreational club also raised money and secured a government grant for power and lights so night tennis could be played. Old-fashioned pan toilets were replaced by a new toilet block also through the efforts of the King River Recreational Club. Family groups were encouraged to a family night at Christmas time for the giving of gifts by Santa Claus around a Christmas tree. Since c1990 the Recreation Club (motivated by M Clulow) has been running old time dancing with the music being played by Matthew Quick since 6 November 1991. On 26 November 2000 the King River community successfully celebrated the centenary of the King River Hall with a large party including afternoon tea and folk music. From HCWA assessment. In 2003, extensions were proposed to double the size of King River Hall, and included a new verandah, new timber floor, disabled access and new toilet facilities. Cost of the work was estimated at approximately $156,000. In 2005, part of this work was carried out. An existing kitchen extension, which may have been added in the 1970s, was removed and a new Kitchen Extension, housing Store Room, Kitchen and Lobby, was built on the same site. A brick Toilet Extension, housing male, female and disabled toilets, was added beside the Kitchen Extension. The Toilet Extension was part of the planned upgrading of King River Hall, while the new Kitchen Extension was extra to the originally planned work. The planned widening of the existing Hall space has not been undertaken to date.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High/Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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