House

Statement of Significance

House, 153 Stirling Street, a brick, timber and fibrous cement two storey house of eclectic design bulit in 1907, has cultural heritage signficance because: the house was designed by local architect Frederick Steere as his family home. Steere designed many domestic and public buildings in Bunbury in the early decades of the twentieth century; the place has landmark qualities and contributes to the aesthetic and precinctual qualities of Stirling Street and the community's sense of place.

Physical Description

House, 153 Stirling Street, is a two storey brick, timber and fibrous cement house of eclectic design built in 1907. The walls to the front elevation are rendered brick. Side walls and the second storey are timber framed and clad in weatherboard and fibrous cement sheeting. The roof and the ground floor verandah roof are corrugated iron. The front entrance is shaded by the verandah which is supported by timber posts.The door is situated to the side, dominated by two large arched windows with two tall timber framed double hung sash windows inbetween. The second storey has three sets of timber framed eight pane windows. The second storey has two protuding rooms with gables above, and there is a chimney each side and to the rear. The side walls are concave and skirt outwards.

History

Stirling Street formed the northern boundary of Governor Stirling’s grant Location 26 of 100,000 acres). The street was first developed during the 1850s when several lots were granted to the Enrolled Pensioner Guards. House, 153 Stirling Street was built in 1907 for prominent local architect Frederick Walter Steere, who designed the house himself. Steere was born in Richmond, England in 1868 and immigrated to Brisbane where he took up a position with the Public Works Department in 1889. He later moved to Melbourne and arrived in Western Australia in 1897. By 1898, he was in practice in Bunbury. House, 153 Stirling Street was the first house in Bunbury designed by Steere for his family. He later designed another house at 22 Wellington Street (c 1920). The Steere family is also known to have lived in a row house in Wellington Street (between Victoria Street and Wittenoom Street). Frederick Steere served in World War I, enlisting a few months before his 19 year old son, Stanely, was killed in Belgium. His address at the time of his enlistment (April 1917) was White Road, Bunbury. Frederick Steere was a long serving local councillor, and was Mayor in 1909-1910. He was also a justice of the peace, chair of the Bunbury Harbour Board, chairman of the Bunbury Chamber of Commerce, founder and president of the Bunbury Benevolent Society, and helped establish the first municipal library. He was also secretary of the Bunbury Building Society, a First Lieutenant and Registrar in the military forces, commanding the senior cadets and a prominent Freemason. Buildings in Bunbury designed by Steere include: •Carr’s Chemist, corner of Wellington Street and Victoria Street (1903) •St Joseph’s Roman Catholic School, ADDRESS (1920) •Rechabite Hall, Prinsep Street (1898) •House, 22 Wellington Street (c 1920) •House, 33 Stirling Street By 1921, House, 153 Stirling Street was owned by A J Rose, a farmer. The Roses continued to own the property until at least the early 1950s.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of authenticity as the building remains largely in its original fabric and form.

Condition

Exterior: Appears good.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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