Dongara Post Office & Quarters (fmr)

Parent Place or Precinct

18626 Dongara Townsite

Statement of Significance

Dongara Post Office and Quarters (fmr), a domestic scale limestone and sandstone building in the Federation Arts and Crafts style and associated underground tank, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: the place is an important part of the historic town precinct of Dongara. Its aesthetic character, together with the other buildings in the historic precinct, collectively form a significant streetscape; the place is a good example of a well designed and executed Public Works Department building constructed in the Federation Arts and Crafts style at the turn of the century; the place has landmark value due to its prominent location on rising ground and its domestic scale in a generous setting; the place still retains a majority of its original fabric intact and has a high degree of integrity; the place is characteristic of country post offices built at the end of the nineteenth century in terms of its simple and functional style and with its provision of attached quarters; the place was the centre of postal services and communication for the Dongara district from 1894 to 1989; and, the place has associations with Chief Architect of the Public Works Department George Temple Poole and with local builder and prominent businessman W. H. Linthorne.

Physical Description

Set in a high position, a concrete path with two sets of steps forms the approach to the main entrance of the place. The building is of limestone construction with a stone wing to the rear. An added larger wing of timber frame construction with fibro sheet cladding forms an 'L' with the original structure. The gable roof extends to cover verandahs to the south-east and south-west with a separate gable to the centre of the front facade of the building. The gable end has 'shadowline' fibro sheet infill and the verandah to the south-west is enclosed with louvres with an awning of ripple iron above and fibro sheet infill below. The stonework to the front (east) is of ashlar style and is finely pointed. There are two stone chimneys to the rear of the building. An awning with a corrugated iron roof supported on turned timber braces covers the three windows to the front of the building. The front windows feature rendered sills and lintels, the window to the north has a rendered lintel, sill and jamb. The corrugated iron roof was replaced with colorbond in 1997. 2004 The fibro infill to the southeast corner of the building has been removed to reopen the verandah. One of three stone pillars has been reconstructed in preparation for the reinstatement of the verandah posts.

History

This is the third post office in the Dongara townsite. Prior to its construction, mail was delivered to Maley's Mill and then to the Police Station. Plans were begun in 1891 and a tender price of £822/6/7 on behalf of local builder W.H. Linthorne was accepted on 12 April 1894. The post office incorporated the telegraph office and manual telephone exchange. The postal services were transferred to a new building in the Batavia Boulevard Shopping Centre in 1989. (Source: Oldham, R.& J. "George Temple Poole", p.181.) For additional history refer to the conservation plan (see Supporting Information). 2004 The building including the former staff quarters is currently owned by the Shire of Irwin and is used as a library and visitor centre.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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