Local Government
Cockburn
Region
Metropolitan
Location
Rottnest Island (Wadjemup)
Location Details
Wadjemup Road, Wadjemup Hill
Other Name(s)
Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) House
Construction Date
Constructed from 1940, Constructed from 1936 to 1937
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - Assessed - Consultation (Statutory) | Current | 05 Aug 2022 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| (no listings) | ||||
Parent Place or Precinct
03650 Wadjemup/Rottnest Island
Physical Description
WRANS House is a single storey rectangular dwelling located on the summit of Wadjemup Hill. Associated outbuildings include a water tank and external toilet facilities.
History
The building was originally built as quarters at North Point on Wadjemup/Rottnest Island in 1937 during the occupation of the island by Defence forces during World War II. The quarters were relocated to Signal Ridge on Wadjemup/Rottnest Island between April and July 1940 for the use of Naval Communication Branch Ratings. Improvements and extensions to the building, in addition to the construction of additional facilities, were completed by December 1940. Between 1941 and 1942 the building was occupied by Harbour Trust signalmen, after which it was substantially refurbished to accomodate the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service in 1943 for the remainder of the war. The buildings were formally transferred to Commonwealth ownership in 1953. The Navy then agreed to lease the buildings the Department of Fisheries on a ten-year lease for the purpose of establishing a Research Station. The Station was run as a joint venture between UWA Zoology Department, State Fisheries Department and the CSIRO Division of Fisheries until 1985, when it became the responsibility of the University of Western Australia. Additional faclities were constructed around the building, as well as refurbishments and alterations to the interior of the building. Following the closure of the Research Station in 2002 to allow use of the Wadjemup Hill facilities as a tourist venue, the WRANS House has remained vacant, used primarily for storage and a power source for a mobile food and beverage van located in the area during summer.
Place Type
Individual Building or Group
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | VACANT\UNUSED | Vacant\Unused |
| Original Use | MILITARY | Officers Quarters |
| Other Use | SCIENTIFIC | Laboratory or Research Station |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Other | ASBESTOS | Other Asbestos |
| Wall | TIMBER | Weatherboard |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Telecommunications |
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | River & sea transport |
| OUTSIDE INFLUENCES | World Wars & other wars |
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Technology & technological change |
| OCCUPATIONS | Fishing & other maritime industry |
Creation Date
27 Oct 2021Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
04 Nov 2021Disclaimer
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.