Bridgetown Infant Health Centre (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The Bridgetown Infant Health Centre (fmr) is significant for its social and historic values as the first purpose-built Infant Health Centre in Bridgetown; for its use for this purpose from 1954- c.1992; and as a good representative example of the many clinics designed by William Bennett, architect. It is also forms part of a unified mid-20th century community service precinct, which is focussed around Memorial Park, and which collectively contributes to the community’s sense of place. Aesthetic Value The place is not of particular aesthetic value on its own, but it contributes to a unified mid-20th century community service precinct along the western side of Hampton Street, comprising the Ambulance Station (fmr) (B58); Fire Station (B57); Memorial Park and War Memorial (B26); Infant Health Centre (fmr) (B55); and CWA Hall (B56). The physical form of this group and the strong associations with community services and events contribute to the community’s sense of space. Historic Value High The Bridgetown Infant Health Centre (fmr) is of historic value as the first purpose built infant health building in Bridgetown, demonstrating the post war cultural development phase of the State (relating to Infant Health Clinics), as well as of Bridgetown. It also helps to illustrate the important role that the Bridgetown Advancement Policy Pool played in the early post-WWII development of Bridgetown, including the provision of land for a new Fire Station and Infant Health Centre in the area around Memorial Park. Social Value The place has social values for the families who visited the Health Nurse, and for those who served on the Infant Health committee. Representativeness The Bridgetown Infant Health Centre (fmr) represents a cultural phase in Western Australian history, whereby purpose built Infant Health Clinics were constructed, with accommodation for nursing staff, particularly in rural areas. The building is a good representative example of the many Infant Health Clinics designed by William Bennett, architect.

Physical Description

The Centre is typical of modest construction standards of the early post-war era. Consistent with most inter-war and early post-war Infant Health Clinics it generally has a domestic scale and character, but with the addition of a large front porch, where prams could be left during clinic visits. The main façade is constructed of red face brick. The recessed central porch is framed by paired brick columns, which support a rendered lintel panel bearing the words ‘Bridgetown Infant Health Clinic’ in stucco. The original timber and glass panelled front doors and side light windows remain at the back of the porch. The rooms on either side of the main facade each have a bank of three double hung sash windows, with soldier bricks above the lintel and a projecting, raked brick sill. The remainder of the exterior (sides and rear) is of jarrah weatherboard (lower wall), with flush-panel fibrous cement sheeting above. The former tiled roof has been reclad with red Colorbond and the brick chimneys remain. There have been modifications to some rooms internally, however other than the replacement of the roof cladding, the only external alteration was the 2007/2008 addition of a verandah/decking to the rear, which created an undercover parking area below

History

As a result of a conference held in April 1922, at the instigation of the Children’s Protection Society, the Infant Health Association of Western Australia was formed in 1923 to work in conjunction with the Public Health Department. In that year, three clinics with full time nurses began to operate in the Perth area and further clinics were built in both metropolitan and regional areas through the inter-war era. However, it was not until the late 1940s and early 1950s with the post-war baby boom and increased immigration that the number of purposebuilt infant health centres increased rapidly. The first Infant Health Centre for Bridgetown opened in 1940, with Mrs E Rawson as Secretary. The premise it was in was sold in 1945 and the clinic moved to ‘the room adjacent to Mr Nelson’s Shop’. At that time Mr Nelson ran ‘Nelson’s Pharmacy (B14)’, also known as ‘The Blackwood Pharmacy’. The Bridgetown Advancement Policy Pool became incorporated in 1945 and by 1948 they had completed purchases of all parcels of land which now incorporate Memorial Park and the lots in front of the parkland, facing Hampton Street, including the future sites of the Bridgetown Fire Station and Infant Health Centre. One of these parcels was donated to the Infant Health Clinic Committee, although they subsequently requested that their block of land be vested in the Road Board (later Shire of Bridgetown). In 1950 plans for a purpose built Infant Health Clinic were drawn up by architectural firm William G Bennett & Associates. This firm had designed the first model Infant Health Centre in Perth in 1934. Bennett then served as an Honorary Architect for the Infant Health Association until c.1958, during which time his firm designed more than 40 clinics in metropolitan and regional WA (including at least 26 in the first half of the 1950s). Work did not begin on the Bridgetown Infant Health Clinic until early 1953 and the building was officially opened on 17 September 1954 by Mr E Nulsen, Minister for Health. The Centre included a consulting room at the front south eastern corner of the building, a room behind with two test feeding cubicles and a central waiting room. There was also a toileting area for public use, with the remainder of the building consisting of the Sister’s quarters; a large living space, a bedroom, kitchen, laundry and bathroom. Sometime between March 1991 and November 1992, the Clinic moved into the additions at the rear of the Terminus building, corner Roe and Steere Streets, to become a part of the family centre. The Child Health Nurse moved out of the Hampton Street ‘Sister’s quarters’ in December 1996, and the Shire provided short term private leases for the building until selling it to a private owner in 2003. The current owner built a rear verandah and decking in late 2007/early 2008, also creating an understorey carpark. The building continues to be used as a private residence with a chiropractic clinic being run from the original consulting room. The Infant Health Clinic Committee worked for many years, establishing the Clinic, ensuring its staffing by an Infant Health Sister (Nurse), a dedicated car for her to also visit weekly clinics in nearby towns, government and other funding, and facilitating the move to the new premises at the Terminus/Family Centre and its overall ongoing functions.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate Although the Child Health Clinic moved premises c.1991 the building is still used for private medical purposes with residence. Authenticity: High There have been few external changes. The only visible alterations are the modern roof cladding and the rear verandah/decking addition.

Uses

Historic Themes

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