Shire of Irwin Offices & Hall

Author

Shire of Irwin

Place Number

11829

Location

Cnr Waldeck & Church St Dongara

Location Details

Other Name(s)

Mechanics' Institute (fmr) (Site of)

Local Government

Irwin

Region

Midwest

Construction Date

Constructed from 1952

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 10 Mar 1998 Category 2

Statement of Significance

The Hall and Council Offices have social significance for their role in the social activities and public administration of the district. The hall forms a balance with the other three historic buildings at the intersection of Waldeck and Church Streets [Moreton Terrace] and as such adds character to the precinct.

Physical Description

SHIRE HALL: This large rectangular building with a colorbond gable roof has brick parapets at each end. The main entry is to the east facade and is recessed with rendered brickwork to glassed double entry doors. The side walls are brick buttressed with four double timber exit doors with small rectangular windows set high in the walls. The hall has been extended to the west to accommodate a stage, the extension has Hardiplank cladding. A box awning style verandah supported on concrete pillars has been added to the northeast corner of the hall and extends along the west facade of the hall and the north facade of the Council Offices which are attached to the southwest corner of the hall. COUNCIL OFFICES: The building has a rectangular floor plan, with council chambers to the east and offices to the west. The building is of red brick construction with aluminium framed double glass entry doors to the north below the box style verandah.

History

The first building on this site was the Mechanics Institute [b.1881] later known as the 'greater' and 'lesser' public halls. The building committee was E.H. Laurence, F. Pearse, H. Waldeck, S.F. Moore, J. Turton and the builder was J. Smith. These limestone rubble and corrugated iron buildings were destroyed by fire in 1950. The present hall, constructed of bricks made at the Irwin Brick Works by Jack Morgan (Place No.120) and was opened in 1953 by Sir David Brand. Small additions were made in 1958-59 when the Council Offices were relocated from the first Roads Board Office (Place No.30) .The present Council Offices were added to the hall in 1974 (Source: IDHS Records.)

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
IDHS Records Shire of Irwin
HCWA Database No. 11829 State Office of Heritage
R Bunney & K Ellery; "Dongara 1839-187-".

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use GOVERNMENTAL Office or Administration Bldg
Original Use GOVERNMENTAL Town, Shire or District Hall

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Roof METAL Steel
Wall BRICK Common Brick

Historic Themes

General Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Sport, recreation & entertainment
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Government & politics
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Community services & utilities

Creation Date

21 Jul 1998

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

Disclaimer

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.