Irwin Roads Board Office (fmr) inc 2 Moreton Bay Fig Trees

Parent Place or Precinct

18626 Dongara Townsite

Statement of Significance

Irwin Roads Board Office (fmr), has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: the place is valued for the pleasing use of materials, scale and proportion of the building, and for the setting with the well and Moreton Bay fig trees. Together these elements form a significant element in the historic streetscape and townscape character of Dongara; the place forms a significant cultural environment associated with the early civic development of the Irwin Roads Board between 1910 and 1958, and with the town of Dongara, and contributes to the local community's sense of place; the place was constructed in 1910, to house the Roads Board of the developing Irwin River district, and was used as such up to 1958; the well was part of Dongara's first public water supply, established in 1906; the Moreton Bay fig trees, which dominate the site, are part of the larger street planting undertaken by the Roads Board in 1906, and are an early significant example of rural town beautification. The choice of species is typical of Paradise style public gardens of the period; the place is highly valued by the local community as a place of early local government. This is demonstrated by the integrity of the front verandah restoration and the ongoing use made of the place as a commercial premise; the place is valued for the variety of community uses it has housed since 1966, including an RSL meeting place, gift shop, Red Cross shop and music studio; and, the place is a representative example of a Federation vernacular regional roads board office, established in 1910, and its subsequent development.

Physical Description

HALL: This is a small rectangular stone building, built in Federation Free style. The corrugated iron gable roof is steeply pitched . The gable ends are clad with weatherboard. The stone work is coursed and pointed with brick quoining to openings and corners. There is a verandah to the front with an "S" curved corrugated iron roof painted in stripes, supported on timber posts. Front entry is via a timber double entry door, to the sides there are three eight paned timber framed arched windows. WELL: Situated immediately to the north of the hall, the well is of stone construction with a windlass above. MORETON BAY FIG TREES: The two large trees immediately to the south are included in this assessment.

History

Built of local stone, this small single room building was constructed in 1910 to house the Irwin District Roads Board Office and was used for this purpose until 1958 when minor additions were made to the Dongara Hall. To the north of the building, there is a well with a windless which was the first public water supply to the town. The two Moreton Bay Fig Trees are believed to have been planted in 1906. [See also Place No.35]. The first Irwin District Roads Board was elected in 1871 and on 21 February 1871 Samuel Fortesque Moore was elected Chairman and Francis Pearse, Honorary Secretary. The building was used for many years as the headquarters of the Dongara Returned Services League, then leased to the Dongara Red Cross Society for use as a shop. It is presently leased for use as a music studio. (Sources: "Geraldton Guardian", 17 April 1958; IDHS Records) 2004 The building was entered into the State Register of Heritage Places in 2002, it is still used as a music studio and has been maintained by the owners.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Modifications Verandah iron replaced and stripe painted about 1995.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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