Kobeelya, Katanning

Statement of Significance

Aesthetic Value The complex (as well as the chapel) is significant in exhibiting aesthetic characteristics valued by the community. important to the community because of aesthetic characteristics and associations . has landmark qualities (at head of main street) and contributes to appreciation of the aesthetic qualities of the setting, landscape and cultural environs. contributes to the aesthetic character and significance of a precinct. Historic Value The complex is significant in the historical pattern of development of the Katanning region. . embodies features which illustrate a way of life and the development of the locality and region. . importance in relation to events, activities and phases of historic significance. . close association with individuals) whose life or activities have been historically significant (Built for F.H. Piesse, pioneer founder and principal resident of Katanning and a prominent member of State Government; regularly visited by the premier of the time, Sir John Forrest and other prominent politicians. As a school Kobeelya was a place of education and social development of many significant women in WA society - including 8 Order of Australia Members - (including Nancy Burbridge, Margaret Beard, Leslie Vincent (nee Waters), Nancy Guraer (nee Warren), Elizabeth Rushton (nee Crouch), Zelda Pearlman (nee Grant), Katharine Brisbane (nee Parsons). . important as an example of the achievement or characteristics of a particular period of history. . as a school the place reflects the education and social life of a rural community for 64 years. Scientific or Educational Value The complex is able to yield information contributing to an understanding of the cultural history of the Katanning region and demonstrating technical development at the time of construction. . potential to contribute to understanding of the past as a type of residence . importance as a source of information about the history of human occupation of the locality, or region . significance in demonstrating the level of technical achievement of the time (The house was considered to be the most 'up to date' in the state at the time of construction. It was the first substantial house to be built in the district and the -first to be wired for electricity.) Social Value The complex is significant by virtue of social, cultural, educational and spiritual associations with the community. . importance to the community as a place highly valued for its associations with social and cultural activities, and its connections with religious, spiritual, and educational life. (As the Piesse house, it was considered to be 'the unofficial town hall' and was the centre of intellectual and social life of the time). As Kobeelya school it was the principal rural Baptist Church / Kobeelya Conference Centre 3 educational centre for girls, and as the Baptist Conference Centre and Church it has important religious connections and is used as a focus for an annual country youth festival.) . important in contributing to the sense of place of a community. Rari The complex demonstrates increasingly rare aspects of the cultural heritage of the region (WA) and is a rare example of the work of Edwin Summerhayes, an important WA architect. . one of a diminishing number of a particular type of building. . demonstrates a distinctive way of life no longer practiced and of exceptional interest to the locality, region and state (note: One of the Pleiades group - including Perth College. Methodist Ladies College, Presbyterian Ladies' College, St. Hilda's Girls' School, St. Mary's School and Loreto Convent - Kobeelya was the first and only rural (non Catholic) private school for girls in WA and also the only school to provide stable accommodation for pupils' horses. Because of this, and the fact that fresh supplies were sent down from Perth on a regular basis, it was said to be the most expensive private school in Western Australia.) Representativeness The complex is significant in demonstrating the characteristics of a category of cultural places and activities in the region (WA). . is an effective representation of specific features of a class of building and the attributes which identify it as being characteristic of its class. . ability to demonstrate aspects of human activity representative of the locality, or region. (including way of life, philosophy and use.) Condition the current state of the place in relation to the values for which it has been assessed is good. Integrity: the sustainability of the values identified is relatively good and the likely long term viability and ability of the place to be restored is also good. Authenticity: much of the fabric and construction is in its original state though various alterations and additions have been carried out from time to time. These alterations are largely reversible.

Physical Description

Kobeelya is a prominent landmark at the top of Kobeelya Avenue, Katanning and is clearly visible from the main town centre. When the building was originally constructed it contained seventeen rooms, including seven bedrooms, bathrooms with hot and cold running water, in-door toilets (septic); billiard and ball rooms. The house is a typical example of the rapidly diminishing number of large residences of the Edwardian period with its gabled roof, wide verandahs, many chimneys, bay windows, stained glass windows and side panels, ornate plaster work and polished jarrah floors and ceramic tiles imported from Italy. The house was initially decorated with furniture purchased overseas. The Piesse family crest is featured m the arched stained glass window on the main staircase landing (complete with bullet-hole sustained during the years the Piesse family occupied the house).. The two storey house is constructed of red bricks made in the Piesse brickworks and has the white cement rendered bands typical of Edwardian domestic architecture linking the heads of the double hung timber sash window frames and making surrounds to the main windows. Kobeelya was also connected to the Piesse flour mill electricity supply, making it the first house in Katanning to be wired for electricity. The bricks were made at the Piesse brickyards. KOBEELYA CHURCH OF ENGLAND GIRLS' SCHOOL Various ancillary buildings have been constructed around the main house and stables (refer map and Appendix 1), all of which have important connections with the school and associations with the lives of its residents. Together with the main house these buildings form a significant group. The KOBYEELA CHAPEL is a brick building of simple rectangular plan with steep pitched terra cotta tiled roof and brick gables at each end. The altar end is marked by a rather squat, square bell tower, originally intended to support a spire but finished with a flat roof. A small vestibule in the base of this tower provides a vestiy and side access to the sanctuary. Square buttress comers to the front of the chapel and buttress piers to the sides emphasise the appearance of sturdy solidify of the design and this is reinforced internally by the exposed solid jarrah timber roof trusses. These trusses are shaped to give an arched effect which is echoed in the shallow brick arch above the altar and again over the front doorway. The double doors to the front are of solid timber with metal studs and are placed in a shallow recess formed by a secondary arch and lined with a decorative bond using thin tapestry bricks alternating in double courses with the standard bricks. A decorative lantern and a sculpted relief panel featuring the school coat of arms are placed above the doorway and the gable is surmounted by a cement cross. Louvred vents provide strong decorative elements in the front gable and again in the bell tower, where the reveals feature an unusual pattern of castellated brick with terra cotta tile sills. This same detailing is used around the stained glass windows each side of the nave. The interior of the cathedral ceiling is lined with jarrah boards matching the jarrah floor and the nave is furnished with jarrah pews crafted in the English Arts and Crafts style with carved relief panels on the ends featuring the school crest. The sanctuary features similar well crafted furniture and finely made stained glass windows in which stands a fine embroidered banner bearing the school crest. Two very fine banners commemorating St. Michael and St.Joan hang on either side of the altar in the sanctuary. Both were designed by the 1920s and 1930s artist Howard Barren. In addition a banner honouring the school crest hangs over the altar. The former two have been painstakmgly reconditioned by the Art Gallery of WA and the Maritime Museum, whilst the latter was reworked by Kobeelya Association member, Mrs. Elizabeth Bunney. All three are to remain in place.

History

Assessment 1999 (NTWA carried out separate assessments for St Michael's Chapel and the Baptist Church/conference Centre) Construction 1902 Alterations/additions: 1915, 1922, 1939, c. 1950, 1953, 1060's Architect/designer; Edwin Summerhayes; Additions (1924) Sir Talbot Hobbs; Dining Hall & staff quarters (1953) Oldham, Boas and Ednie Brown Kobeelya is situated in the Great Southern town of Katanning, 288 kms (180 miles) from Perth within a community engaged mainly in agricultural and pastoral pursuits. It was built for Frederick Henry Piesse (1853-1912) in 1902 as a private residence for his family. Designed by Edwin Summerhayes, the building was constructed to overlook the Piesse family property and the town beyond. The name "Kobeelya" was suggested by Sir John Forrest, who was a regular visitor to the house. "Kobeelya " is an aboriginal word meaning "place of sleep and rest". Kobeelya was the first significant residence in the town of Katanning and one of the most up-to-date in the state at the time of construction. The Piesse family were important pioneers in the Great Southern and were responsible for the development of the town. The family owned the Katanning Flour Mill said F.W. Piesse was for twenty years (1890-1909) the representative of Williams and Katanning districts in the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia. During this time Piesse was made Minister for Railways and Director of Public Works. When "Kobeelya" passed out of the hands of the Piesse family in 1922, it was sold to the Bunbury Diocese of the Anglican Church for 5000 pounds. According to the Shire of Katanning Municipal Inventory the interior furnishings were sold when the building became a boarding house and school rooms. During this time accommodation was needed and the architectural advice of Mr Talbot Hobbs of Hobbs, Smith and Forbes was sought and put into practice. The Kobeelya School Museum is now housed in the former Katanning Flour Mill. In 1928 the school was full to overflowing with an enrolment of 80 pupils and a resident staff of two matrons plus two domestic staff. At this time the architect F.J. Coote drew up plans for a new classroom and accommodation for mistresses, (p.32.) 1937 saw the opening of a new building, St Faith's Boarding House, a home for 30 girls, two staff bedrooms and an ablution block. (p.72) (It is presumed that the architectural firm of Hobbs, Forbes and Smith were responsible for these additions). During this year efforts were made to put into practice the funds raised for the new Chapel.(p.74) ( See separate Classification documentation.) In 1953, plans from Oldham, Boas and Ednie Brown and Partners were approved for a new Dining Hall and Staff Quarters. At the same time a Chapel Extension Fund account was opened for the addition of a larger vestry and spire. However, the plans for the spire were never realised. During 1953, after seven years of untiring service, during which time she worked up to 14 hours a day and with heavy responsibilities. Miss Russell ended her period as Headmistress. She was replaced by Miss J.S. Thewlis B.Sc. (London), Dip.Ed. who remained in the position from 1954 to 1957. Miss. Thewlis brought a new era of relaxed discipline, more freedom and more humane treatment of the girls to the school, (p. 153.)

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