Bullaring General Store (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place is of considerable significance in demonstrating a way of life. The place is significant for the associations with the Seimons family and other settlers in the district.

Physical Description

The store complex comprises a number of buildings on the site. The shop building and the others are essentially timber framed constructions with weatherboard and corrugated iron cladding. The roofs are corrugated iron. The buildings are all painted white with a strip of dark royal blue around the base of each building. The pristine site is laid with compressed gravel and earth. The store has a verandah along the entire street frontage. Square timber columns support the skillion verandah. A timber framed fascia bears the name of the proprietors, and conceals the gabled roof behind. The store frontage clearly shows the different periods of development. The western end has shop front glazing with a central recessed double shop entry door. The central section is solid walls with two sets of double half glazed doors. The eastern end is weatherboard with a double-hung window. Inside the floors are timber, the shelves are full, and the various extensions interconnect. Glass partitions separate the offices at the rear of the shop.

History

GW Seimons opened the General Store, Post Office and telephone exchange in Buliaring in 1922. The store was a general store providing a comprehensive range of goods. In 1934, the store was extended, and by then the use of motor vehicle and mechanisation on farms meant that Seimons store responded appropriately with goods and services for those industries. In 1950, a gallon licence was granted for a cost of £1500. In 1960 the store was extended again. In the 1990s the store is a dealership for machinery and motor vehicles, and an agency for fertilisers and real estate, as well as providing an extensive range of goods in the supermarket, hardware, automotive, newsagency, and other sections of the store. The service at the store is renowned throughout the district. The Seimon's business is unique in that it provides accommodation for the staff with 4 staff houses and 4 staff flats in the town of Buliaring. The late GW Seimons and his son WR Seimons have both been actively involved in community affairs, with GW serving on the Corrigin Roads Board from 1927-1952, WR, 1952-53, arid 1958 -1961 and GC from 1954-1961. When the Roads Board became the Corrigin Shire Council in 1961, GC Seimons continued until 1963, and WR Seimons has continued until the present, including a term ot Shire President from 1975-1978.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact Authenticity: High Degree

Condition

Very Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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