Cowaramup CWA Hall (Former)

Parent Place or Precinct

04941 Cowaramup Community Sports and Show Ground

Statement of Significance

Cowaramup CWA Hall (former) is of significance: • For its association with the efforts and influence of the women of the district; their social and economic contribution to Cowaramup and surrounding areas. • As a long-standing focal gathering point for the women of the community.

Physical Description

The CWA Hall was designed as a domestic style meeting room, with a simple projecting bay under a gable end on one side of the main façade, flanked by a front verandah under the main hipped roofline.The walls were constructed of concrete blocks, with bevel-edged blocks used to form ‘quoins’ at the front corners. The casement windows have a large lower pane with two small panes at the top of each panel. The front door is of a simple, high-waisted, three-panel, inter-war style.Internally there is a main meeting room across the full width of the building. The ceiling appears to have been replaced, but the central fireplace, timber floor, panelled doors and picture rails appear original.The major alteration to the place has been the construction of a fibre cement ‘weatherboard’ enclosure on the southern end, linking to the adjacent tennis courts. This provides an undercover area with access to the old CWA hall via new double doors through the side wall.The hall is set back from the main road (reminiscent of a residence) and is backed by the mature trees to the perimeter of the Cowaramup Community Park (Place # CO-01). It also has a visual relationship to the Cowaramup Hall (Place # CO-03).

History

Agricultural Development Linked to the Group Settlement and WWII Soldier Settlement Schemes (c.1922-1960) • Establishment and Consolidation of Town and Village Centres The Cowaramup district was opened up for closer settlement with the establishment of the Group Settlement Scheme in the early 1920s. With the commencement of a railway service in 1924 Cowaramup siding became a busy local centre. The first town site (west of the railway siding) was surveyed in 1925 and the present site was gazetted in 1930. The Country Women’s Association began in Western Australia in 1924 as a non-party political, non-sectarian and not for profit organisation with the first branch being at Nungarin. The aim of the Association then, and still, is to improve the wellbeing of all people, especially those in country areas by promoting courtesy, cooperation, community effort, ethical standards and the wise use of resources. The CWA was formed to meet the needs of the time – to help women in isolated rural communities and to provide a voice to Government to seek solutions to the difficulties facing families in such areas.The Cowaramup CWA Hall was built in 1941 by local builders and brothers Arthur & Leslie Mann. The hall was officially opened on 26 April 1941.As at 2012 the place is used as a meeting room by the Cowaramup Tennis Club.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium: The use has been altered, but the original use is still clearly evident through interpretation of the fabric. Medium: The place has had some alterations, but the original intent/character is still clearly evident.

Condition

Fair *Assessed from streetscape survey only

Uses

Creation Date

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