Darkan Saw Mill/Mill Houses

Statement of Significance

The mill is an important local industry providing building materials and local employment. It is representative of a number of saw mills which were located throughout the western half of the Shire until recent years.

Physical Description

Located about 1.5 km east of Darkan, the six houses which are typical mill dwellings adjoin the Coalfields Highway with the mill a little to the south. The westerly most cottage has been used as an office/quarters for the mill manager. The eastern most cottage is a different design and materials (fibre clad). The three houses in the centre are nearly identical except for the front verandah- the house on the west has a full verandah and not straight pitched, while the two houses to the east (no. 3 and 4 in the complex) have a straight pitched 3/4 verandah. The fifth house is larger and appears to be originally designed for single quarters rather than as family home.

History

In 1951 Guiseppi (Jack or Joe) Coli approached the Doudle family, who had just arrived from South Australia, to buy land on the edge of Darkan for a new mill. When this was finalised, the new mill was built, being completed in 1952. With both his existing Quindanning Road and the Darkan Mills operating, about forty men were employed by Coli at the mill sites, and cutting and hauling timber. The Darkan mill burned down in 1964 and was rebuilt in six weeks, and opened again in January the following year. Approximately one hundred guests comprising business associates, workers and local residents, enjoyed high tea and barbeque to celebrate the reopening. The Darkan Mill at this point mainly supplied railway sleepers, and railway requirements in the manner of building materials and fence post. The Coli family also operates mills at Argyle, Mandurah, Dale River and Gosnells. The Company is now owned by Cecil Coli: while his father returned to Italy. Coli came to Western Australia from Tuscany, Italy, in 1926, to establish a paper mill for an Italian firm. However, this project did not receive a great deal of support and Coli spent the next two years cutting hewn sleepers for Millars Timber Company. He then purchased a small truck to cart sleepers, which his men cut at Darkan, Cordering and Bowelling (2). Coli liked the country, so his family joined him in 1931 and they lived on a farm near Cordering for twelve months. However, being in depression times, there were no orders for sleepers, so the family moved to live in Collie. In 1936, Coli opened up a mill four miles from Darkan on the Quindanning Road, on what was Billy Cunningham’s farm. Three years later it was pulled down and rebuilt a further fourteen miles towards Quindanning. This mill operated through until 1964, when it was closed due to the shortage of logs suitable to cut sleepers. Several of the cottages have been restored and are used for short stay accommodation.

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications: Some – three cottages restored and furnished Extent of original fabric: Most

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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