Perth Girls' Orphanage (fmr)

Author

National Trust of Western Australia

Place Number

02159

Location

108 Adelaide Tce East Perth

Location Details

2001 as part of Dept Housing & Works

Other Name(s)

Fisheries & Wildlife Department
Heritage Council of Western Australia

Local Government

Perth

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 20 Dec 1985
State Register Registered 08 Oct 1996 HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Register of the National Estate Indicative Place
Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 YES 31 Dec 1999
Classified by the National Trust Classified
Local Heritage Survey Completed\Draft Category 1
Municipal Inventory Adopted 13 Mar 2001 Category 1
Local Heritage Survey Adopted 28 Mar 2023 Category 1

Statement of Significance

DEMONSTRATION OF A WAY OF LIFE The current building is the purpose built orphanage of the Victorian era approach to orphans and destitute children. It reflects the Anglican Church's benevolent commitment to provide for the needy but in a grandiose way, which may seem inappropriate to later observers. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE It was constructed in gold boom days and at the time of great debate over Federation. TOWNSCAPE-LANDSCAPE VALUE Its setting is such that it significantly contributes to the street scene, especially where it addresses the corner. SOCIAL SIGNTFICANCE It was a demonstration of a specific social institution conducted by a religious organisation. SCARCITY VALUE Colonial Gothic orphanages of this size and city location are rare.

Physical Description

The site was originally occupied by two cottages built prior to 1868 purchased by the Anglican Church as an orphanage for boys and girls as well as destitute children. The current buildings were constructed in two phases. The first, in 1898-99 comprised a single storey Gothic Church like building at the cast end with a two storey colonnaded wing adjacent. In 1902 a new wing and main entrance was added which completed the Adelaide Terrace frontage. The buildings are designed in the colonial gothic style both externally and internally. The walls are English bond red brick and rendered decoration and features an gothic arch main entrance porch with an Gothic arched colonnade on either side. The roof is a gable form clad in terracotta tiles and the timber windows are large double hung type with split pane sashes. It is sited close to the Adelaide Terrace frontage with small formal gardens between the street and the building.

History

Assessment 1991 Construction 1898-9 , 1902

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
9104 Pre contract survey. 108 Adelaide Terrace, Perth - The Old Perth Girls Orphanage. Heritage Study {Other} 2008
7608 108 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth - Perth Girls Orphanage (fmr) : Conservation Plan. Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} 2006
1410 The fisheries building: heritage and building report. Report 1993
7708 108 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth (former Perth Girls Orphanage): draft conservation plan. Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} 2005
9466 Signposts: a guide for children and young people in care in WA from 1920. Electronic 2010
11825 Former Perth Girls' Orphanage, 108 Adelaide Terrace Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} 2020

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use RESIDENTIAL Institutional Housing
Present Use GOVERNMENTAL Office or Administration Bldg

Architectural Styles

Style
Federation Gothic

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron
Wall BRICK Common Brick

Historic Themes

General Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Institutions

Creation Date

30 May 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

02 Feb 2026

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.