Wongan Hills Railway Precinct

Child Places

• 12414 Railway Barracks, Wongan Hills
• 16644 Station Master's House, Wongan Hills
• 12462 Railway Houses, Ganzer Street

Values

· The place has aesthetic value as it contributes to the cultural environment of the railway. It also contributes to the townscape of Wongan Hills.

· The place has rarity value as it is a comprehensive railway group including a water tower and barracks.

· The place represents the development of railway facilities and workers accommodation.

Physical Description

Railway Houses: (already registered P12462) Barracks: (already registered P12414): Water Tank and Stand: 25 000 gallons. The tank stands 12 metres above the ground, supported by a tower of Karri and Jarrah timbers. The metal water storage tank is square. Railway Station: Ÿ The building is steel framed with infill panels combining cream coloured face brick and red brick. The low pitched roof is clad with corrugated fibro cement sheeting. The window frames and entrance doors are in aluminium frames. The concrete floor slab is covered with vinyl tiles. The building was designed to accommodate train and road buses. Station Masters House P16644: Ÿ Brick construction with a gabled corrugated iron roof. Goods Shed: Ÿ Timber framed Cgi clad shed. SITES Crane, Ramp, Stockyard and Turntable: Typical style and type used in railway activities .

History

commenced. Goomalling was the railhead in 1902 and by 1908 a Parliamentary party traveled to the Wongan Hills district to determine the situation.’ ‘Early in 1911 the bill was passed before parliament which approved the extension of the railway northwards from Wongan Hills to Morawa. By that time the railway line from Goomalling to Wongan Hills was almost complete, construction having commenced at Goomalling on 13 June 1910, with the first 12.8 kms to Jintinning opened by February 1911. The entire 53 km section of the railway north from Goomalling to Wongan Hills constructed by Atkins and Finlayson and was officially opened on 22 April 1911. The Premier, Frank Wilson performed the ceremony with Mr and Mrs Chitty, the districts oldest residents, holding the ribbon. The railway line now allowed for the transport of good to and from Goomalling without a three day return journey with a horse team.’ ‘On 22 May 1912, construction of the line northwards to Mullewa was commenced from Wongan Hills, and in June to Mullewa. Wongan Hills became the centre for the construction workers fro the new railway. The construction was undertaken by Railway Construction Branch of the Public Works Department. A loop line was constructed for turning the railway engines, and the coal stand was located in close proximity to the water stand. By 20 December 1913, both sections linked and the Public Works Department owned and operated the line handing it over to WAGR on 1 March 1915. It was officially opened on 5 March 1915.’ ‘The Stationmasters house was constructed by July 1913 and on 1 August 1913 Wongan Hills opened as a booking station and buildings were located on the site as the need arose; sidings, coal stage, Goods Shed. In 1920, Railway Station Buildings were relocated from Trafalgar (Kalgoorlie) and re-erected at Wongan Hills.’ ‘The railway dam was excavated in 1913 and 1914. It had a capacity of 4.5 million gallons. In the 1920s a roof was constructed over the dam. The 25 000 gallon railway tank and stand were erected in the rail yard in 1913-1914. This was supplemented by a 23 000 gallon underground tank from Pithara which was located in the yard in 1927.’ ‘The station first operated as a goods and coaching station from 1 August 1913. The railway workers barracks were built in 1914 and 1915, and by 1921 they were extended when the new loco department was built north of the station. The stockyards were completed in 1917 and the weighbridge installed in 1922. In 1934 the CBH bin was established at Wongan Hills Station.’ ‘From the beginning there was continued lobbying for a new railway station at Wongan Hills and by 1937, a new station was promised, however when the Commissioner of Railways conferred with the deputation, he decided against a new station. In 1945, an application to the Roads Board, to move the bins to the west side of the Railway reserve increased speculation that it was a move in preparation for the new station.’ ‘After World War Two, and during the 1950s the federal Government’s Immigration Policy facilitated the New Australian immigrants, referred to as the Baltic’s, due to their European Region of their origin. The Displaces persons Camp was their home for up to three years. They lived in primitive conditions in corrugated iron huts or in tents. Many of the 3 m square huts had tents attached. There was accommodation for families and single men. They had to cart water from the railway Tank to small holding tanks. They stayed in the camp until the could afford to buy their own home. They worked very hard for their future.’ ‘Railway houses were provided for railway employees who worked on the trains and in administration and managerial positions. The houses were only the ones in Wongan Hills with water connected to them. It was supplied from the Railway Water Tank. The houses were demolished to make way for the by pass road through Wongan Hills.’ ‘Diesel trains came into service on the Goomalling Mullewa line on the 3 July 1955. The entire Railway and siding facilities were redesigned to ensure a more efficient operation and to re-route grain trucks away from town. The new station building was located on the east side and the entire yard layout was reversed. In 1964, a new grain storage facility was installed by CBH, replacing a bin and temporary structures. The station was subsequently built, and officially opened by Charles Court, the Minister for Industrial Development, Railways and the North West, on 27 November 1965. In 1969 an E1 bin was also located at Wongan Hills.’ ‘The passenger and general freight trains stopped running by 1985 and the station closed on 30 September 1985. Only wheat and super loads are now transported by rail. In 1989, the Art and Craft centre opened in the station Building.’

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity- Low Authenticity- High

Condition

Sound

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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