Soldiers Memorial Institute

Statement of Significance

The facade of the Soldiers Memorial Institute building is a good example of the Federation style of architecture as practised particularly in rural Austral in in the Inter-War period. It was erected ns a memorial building by the soldiers' initiative and determination to have their own centre and was largely paid for by public subscription and fundraising. Internally the detailing is representative of 1920s Arts and Crafts/Art Deco buildings. The place makes nn important contribution to the streetscape with its facade treatment of painted cement render and decorative timberwork and its historical significance is enhanced by its close physical association with the equally important History Museum next to it forming the basis of an historical precinct. The place has social significance and strong associations for many people in the district because it has been n major centre for social activities and continues as a site for ANZAC and Remembrance day services. AESTHETIC VALUE The facade of the Soldiers Memorial Institute building is a good example of a style of architecture still practised, particularly in rural Australia in the Inter War period based on the earlier Federation style. It may be described as a simplified version of the style identified as Federation Filigree. (refer to Apperley, Irving and Reynolds.) Internally the detailing is typical of I 920s Arts and Crafts/Art Deco buildings. The style is primarily non-residential and includes such characteristic indicators as a parapet employing stripped classical motifs with a prominent semi-circular skyline feature, decorative wooden brackets on slender timber columns supporting a separate roof over a deep verandah and dividing the facade into bays. Timber balcony railings with close spaced vertical balusters link the verandah posts. The building is representative of the style as applied in country areas of W.A. and is one of only a few such examples still extant. The style can also be seen in regional towns such as Katoomba in The Blue Mountains of NSW. The building's facade has been relatively well maintained and the original fabric of bricks is intact and can be seen along the sides and rear of the building. The place makes an important contribution to the streetscapc with its facade treatment of painted cement and decorative timberwork and its significance is enhanced by its close physical association with the equally important History Museum next to it forming the basis of an historical precinct. The preservation of the place is a demonstration of the appreciation of the aesthetic characteristics exhibited by the building and show that it is highly valued by the community. HISTORIC VALUE The place has significant historical associations with the development of the local community and the growth of a country town in Western Australia. It also has strong and specific historical associations with the war service of community members and the commemoration of those members of the regional community who were killed in that service. It was erected as a memorial building by the soldiers' initiative and determination to have their own centre and was largely paid for by public subscription and fundraising. It represents an important part of the evolution of the district and has had a long association with the local community both through its role as the Soldiers Memorial Institute and as a social club. The building is now the base for the local Rotary Club and RSL and is included on the Narrogin Shire Municipal Inventory of Heritage Places, demonstrating its historic and architectural importance in the eyes of the local community. SCIENTIFIC VALUE The place has demonstrable potential to provide valuable educational insights into the way of life of people in country areas and the part played by many members of the community in the major military conflicts of the twentieth century. SOCIAL VALUE Because of its long association with the community as a Social Club and principal venue for social events of all types over many years, the place has strong cultural significance for many people in the local community. It has been the venue for many major social occasions; e.g. dinner after the opening of the Dwarda Railway. Because of this the place has strong associations for many people in the district beyond its considerable significance as a memorial and meeting place for ex­ servicemen and women and their families and it is clearly valued by the community . RARITY AND REPRESENTATIVENESS The building is representative of the architectural style as applied in country areas of W.A., is one of only a few such examples still extant and is one of the better preserved. The building contains a rare, if not unique example of stained glass window in the artistic style of the 1920s. CONDITION, INTEGRITY AND AUTHENTICITY This is an authentic building with the original brick fabric relatively intact and in excellent condition. The place is a well preserved and maintained example of the genre and is valued as one of Narrogin 's heritage buildings. The building has been only slightly altered internally and its integrity is still very high despite these alterations and some extensions. It has been well maintained so that the building can continue to be effectively utilised and cared for.

Physical Description

The Federation style facade of the Narrogin Soldiers Memorial Institute building is a good example of the style of architecture as still practised, particularly in rural Australia in the Inter War period. It can be described as a simplified version of the style identified by Apperly, Irving and Reynolds. as 'Federation Filigree'. The building occupies a prominent position on a slight rise facing Egerton street and sits well back on a common site with the Narrogin History Museum, making an important contribution to the streetscape and effectively forming the basis of an historic precinct. This distinguished little building has exterior walls of red, fair-faced brickwork laid in stretcher bond above a white painted rendered plinth up to sill height. The double hipped roof of galvanised iron is linked across the rear to form a 'U' shape and there are two square brick chimneys on the eastern side. The symmetrical front wall is tuckpointed and is topped with a rendered parapet above the separate iron verandah roof. The parapet is decorated with a central semi-circular feature flanked by lower walls with recessed panels suggesting stripped classical balustrading. The central feature has a series of raised radiating lines around a semi-circular shape suggesting a rising (or possibly setting) sun. A recessed panel below carries the name of the Institute in raised letters. The verandah roof is supported on timber posts which have decorative wooden brackets at the top supporting the fascia beams. The posts are linked by wooden railings with close spaced vertical timber balusters along the length of the jarrah boarded verandah which is raised above ground level on a rendered wall and is approached by five central brick steps. The central panelled jarrah double doors are flanked by symmetrical pairs of timber sash windows on each side. Above the doorway is a stained glass leadlight panel featuring the sun setting over the western ocean in a style typical of the 1920s but a design probably unique to this building. Internally the detailing is typical of 1920s Arts and Crafts/Art Deco buildings featuring white walls and dark jarrah woodwork. The walls are hung with numerous examples of military memorabilia and records of local community members as well as memorial plaques commemorating the fallen in the major military conflicts of the twentieth century.

History

Assessment 2000 Construction 1924-25 Architect/Designer: Frank J.Coote Builder/Contractor: C. Hoskins and Alex Thomson MLA On 8th February 1924 delegates from the Narrogin Town Council, the Citizens' Welfare Committee, the Public Institute and the Soldiers' Memorial Committee asked Council to make provision for an Institute building on the vacant land next to the Town Hall. In June 1924 the returned servicemen created the Soldiers Memorial Institute Inc., appealed to the Council for the land, and when that failed, decided to erect their own building. At the time, WA Premier Collier was visiting Narrogin and promised to help. Within a week, a grant of land in Egerton Street was made and was officially signed on the24th April, 1925, granting Lot 113, to be held on trust solely for the purpose of a Soldiers' Memorial Hall forever. About a year later, a further Grant of Lot 32 (at the rear of Lot 113) was made on the same terms. The structure was to contain a "neat" billiard room, a reading room, a main hall of "ample dimensions" and a "well equipped kitchen". It was intended for a meeting place and a social club for returned soldiers, sailors and nurses of the Williams-Narrogin electorate and for the parents of deceased men and women as well as a centre for social activity on behalf of necessitous ex-servicemen. The foundation stone was laid on Armistice Day 1924 by prominent member of Parliament for the district, E.B. Johnston MLA. The building opened on 14th February, 19255, with most of the cost being met by public donations. From that time the facilities were made available for hire and became a popular venue for dances, dinners, bridge, billiards, lodge bowls, the croquet club, hockey club, CWA and the tennis club. Music for functions was supplied by Eric Hurst and his 4-piece band. By 1929 fund raising events were being held to offset a debt of 980 pounds; the main revenue earner being the organisation of billiards tournaments. By 1935 the debt was reduced to 1OO pounds and the building was altered to accommodate three billiard tables. In the late 1940s a serious attempt was made to have the Institute vested in the WA Branch of the RSL. either by purchase or by gift, but nothing seems to have come of this. Toward the end of WW 2 meetings were held to discuss the future of the Institute and in May 1947 extensions were improved to tum the building into a social club. Although the number of social events had lessened during the passing years, the building has been steadily maintained. An important step was taken to preserve the Institute when it went into a trusteeship with the Rotary Club which allows joint use and ensures that the building does not fall into disrepair. The RSL still gathers for a ceremony at 11.00am on Remembrance Day outside the Institute rather than in the Memorial Park. and the resurgence of interest in ANZAC Day commemorations at the commencement of a new decade (the beginning of the 21st century) indicates an on-going interest in the historical aspects of our wartime involvement and suggests that the Soldiers' Memorial Institute at Narrogin will have even greater significance in the future.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update