Nungarin Roads Board Office (fmr)

Statement of Significance

Aesthetic Value The Alice Williams Memorial Building is the only architectural example with Art Deco features in the town of Nungarin and lends a moderne touch to the isolated wheatbelt town. Historic Value The building has associations with the first branch of the CWA in Western Australia and with the founder of the CWA in Nungarin, Alice Williams. Social Value The building is significant because of its association with local government as a Road Board Office and Shire Council Office until 1968 and with the CWA as a meeting place since 1968 and rest rooms since 1975. The building has associations with the development of the district. Rarity The building is important as the only example of the moderne style in Nungarin . Condition. Integrity. Authenticity. The building is in very good condition and is intact and in its original form. It is an authentic example of the architecture of the period.

Physical Description

One room building of weatherboard, CGI roof which overhangs to form a verandah. Timber lined and timber ceiling and wooden floors. This simple wooden building was erected as Nungarin's first Road Board office in 1922 when Nungarin included the present shire of Mukinbudin within its boundaries. It is significant as a form of vernacular architecture. Though unoccupied, it still sands amongst Nungarin's public buildings and the people of the district wish to retain it. Few local buildings of this primitive type remain. The Alice Williams Memorial Building is a simple cement block structure with a red terra cotta tiled roof and an attractive cement entrance feature. The symmetrical facade is derivative of a stripped classical style of architecture prevalent in the early to mid- I 930s in Western Australia. It features a single sash window on either side of an arched central portico leading to double glass and timber-framed doors topped with an arfhed transom window. At the time of construction the reception area featured a front counter which has since been removed. The office of the Road Board Secretary opened from the left with the Road Board Chambers on the right. A large safe is fitted behind the Secretary's office adjacent to the rear door which opens onto a small back porch. The building is sited on a 1,012 square metre block.

History

Assessment 1983 Construction 1922 The Nungarin Road Board Office and Chambers were officially opened on Thursday, 17 September 1936 by J. Jolly Esq., Chairman of the Road Board at the time. According to the plaque which commemorated the occasion, other members of the Board consisted of W.S. Hodges, R.S. Horn, H.l.J. Hoare, E.A. Williams, with T.C. Brown, Secretary. The building was the administrative centre for the Road Board District until 1961 and was subsequently occupied by the Shire Council until 1968. In 1968 the Council offered the local Country Womens' Association an option on the building which was accepted. At the time a formal peppercorn lease was signed on 1 July 1975. On 7 July 1994, the Shire Council dedicated the building to the memory of Alice Williams. A plaque fitted to the front door reads in the format below: In memory of ALICE WILLIAMS MBE 1890-1972 In recognition of the valuable work •· done by her in improving conditions for country women and their children Opened on 7"' July 1994 By Shire President B.N. Cornish Prominent Associated Person Alice Williams came to Nungarin in 1911 and together with her husband Fred farmed Avon Location 14084 in the Mangowine area where land is still farmed by their descendants. Mrs. Williams was a foundation member of the Nungarin Branch of the CWA which was formed in 1924. It is worth noting here that this was the first branch of the CWA in Western Australia. Mrs. Williams was awarded the MBE in 1965 in recognition of her services to the CWA over many years.

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