Local Government
Bunbury
Region
South West
19 Spencer Street Bunbury
Bunbury
South West
Constructed from 1935, Constructed from 1960 to 1990
Type | Status | Date | Documents |
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Heritage List | Adopted | 31 Jan 2023 |
Type | Status | Date | Documents |
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(no listings) |
Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
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Category | ||||
Local Heritage Survey | Adopted | 31 Jan 2023 | Some Significance |
RSL Bunbury has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: • The place has social and historical significance for the local community as the meeting place for the returned service men and women of Bunbury from 1935 until the present.
RSL Bunbury is a single storey rendered masonry building with a concealed corrugated steel hip roof. The building has been significantly altered over time displaying characteristics of a number of different architectural styles. The building has a symmetrical form with a zero building line setback. The street elevation features a simple stepped parapet with the words "Returned & Services League Bunbury" centralised. Two flag poles are at either end of the parapet. A steeply pitched boxed awning extends over the footpath with a flat sheet to the underside. A gable roof is visible to the rear. The facade has a rendered and painted finish with a rendered string course below sill level, painted green. Double glazed entry doors are aluminium framed and have sidelights. The windows are timber framed and double hung with security screens to the lower sashes. The front facade has two windows to the south of the entry and three to the north.
At the beginning of the 1890s, Bunbury had a population of only 572. By the end of that decade, the population had risen to 2,970 – reflecting the rate of increase experienced by the colony as a whole following the discovery of significant gold deposits. This was matched by improvements in infrastructure, including the opening of the Perth to Bunbury railway line in 1893 and significant development of the port. From this time on the town developed not only as an important regional centre, but also as a seaside tourist resort. Despite the adverse impact of war and depression, Bunbury continued to experience residential and business development during the Inter-War era, and the population reached around 6,000 in 1939. The ongoing development and consolidation of the town over time continues to be reflected in its local heritage places. In 1914, the people of Bunbury responded quickly to the outbreak of war, through both volunteering for service and community support. In mid-1917 a meeting was called with the aim of establishing a local branch of the ‘Returned Soldiers Association.’ Regular meetings were held from that time, typically at the Council Chambers or Rechabite Hall. Newspaper reports indicate that the association was seeking its own headquarters by the late 1920s, but these were not constructed until 1935: the Returned Soldiers' League … marked the official opening of their new hall which has been erected in Spencer street at a cost of £1,000. … The new hall is a commodious and fine structure situated next to the Salvation Army Hall in Spencer-street. It consists of a main hall, kitchen and club rooms, with a side entrance to the hall so that the club rooms can be shut off and used while the main hall is let, it being the hope of the league that the money thus raised will be a considerable help in carrying on the work of the branch. No effort has been spared to put down a dance floor which would compare with anything in the town. From the mid 1940s there were a number of moves towards building larger premises to provide a bigger hall and improved facilities for the members. However, proposals to move to a new site did not eventuate and the existing premises were finally extended towards the street frontage in the 1960s (replacing the original gabled wing and abutting entry) and again in the 1990s.
Integrity: High Authenticity: Medium Date of survey: 2/01/2022
Good
Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
---|---|---|---|
Newspaper | Bunbury Herald - p3 | 4 July 1917 | |
Comparison of 1959, 1970 1992 and 2001 aerial photographs | https://map- viewer-plus.app.landgate.wa.gov.au | ||
Newspaper | South Western Times - p3 | 22 May 1935 | |
Newspaper | South Western Times - p1 | 27 August 1953 | |
Newspaper | Mount Barker and Denmark Record - p6 | 9 May 1946 | |
City of Bunbury Rate Books | City of Bunbury Local Studies Collection | 1951 |
Management Category 3
Individual Building or Group
Epoch | General | Specific |
---|---|---|
Original Use | SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL | RSL Hall |
Present Use | SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL | RSL Hall |
Style |
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Inter-War Free Classical |
Type | General | Specific |
---|---|---|
Roof | METAL | Corrugated Iron |
Wall | BRICK | Rendered Brick |
General | Specific |
---|---|
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Community services & utilities |
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES | World Wars & other wars |
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