St Brigid's College

Statement of Significance

The place demonstrates associations with a number of prominent people including Archibald Sanderson who was one of the pioneers of Lesmurdie and the hills orchard industry. Herbert Parry the architect, and the Red Cross organisation. The association with the Perth Hospital is of significance in the history of the hospital, and the perception of the hills health retreat. The association with the Sisters of Mercy and the continuing Catholic traditions of the St Brigid's College are significant. The sense of place as valued by the staff and students who have been at the College over the years is substantial and embus a sense of place. The architecture of the place is a fine representative example of Cape Dutch style architecture, and shows the early influences apparent in Parry's design, as well as the use of local materials. St Brigid's College is recognisable and distinctive in the Lesmurdie streetscape.

Physical Description

The original two storey construction features local laterite stone at the rear, and a rough rendered brick facade at the front. The roof is corrugated iron. The timber framed and weatherboard clad facades opening onto the east and west verandahs have remained intact with the original windows and "French" doors still in place. The timber floors similarly have been retained. The 1921 completion of the original design incorporated decorative rendered gables in the style of those at Cecil Rhodes' home in South Africa, a style which came to be referred to as "Cape Dutch". Marseilles roof tiles on the 1921 section of the building were imported as ballast in wool ships returning to Australia. Classic columns support the first floor balcony on the front facade. The classical symmetry of the frontage is pronounced by the recessed colonnade and upstairs verandah, and the gable features each end, with a central gable above the arched stone quoined entry. The 1921 section features a chapel on the south side with a bay window. The internal fabric is decoratively detailed. Decorative ceilings are still evident in the "front" rooms (the gabled rooms). The colonnade which terminates the main entry has stained glass infill panels featuring saints and commemoration of the Sisters of Mercy. The panels were inserted at an indeterminate time prior to the 1950s. The two sections of the building form a central enclosed courtyard.

History

Assessment 1996 Construction: 1913 Architect/designer: Herbert Parry, alterations/additions 1922 (Parry's stage 2 plans) Archibald Sanderson took up land in the Darling Ranges in 1897, and subsequently named his 100 acre property Lesmurdie after his boyhood holiday home in Scotland. In 1910 Sanderson commissioned Herbert Parry, his brother in law , and son of Bishop Parry, to build a home reminiscent of his Scottish family home. In 1913 Sanderson recognised the need to educate his family, and had Herbert Parry design a school. The first stage (west wing) of Sanderson's private school was built within his original land-holding. His social and financial situation was such that he organised the private school which provided an education for his children and others in the area. Sanderson employed a Miss and Mrs. Jones, to bring their small school from Swanbourne to teach at his private day and boarding school. The school flourished until Mrs. Jones died a few years later. Archibald Sanderson was one of the pioneers of Lesmurdie and the hills orchard industry, as well as the instigator of the Darling Range Fruit and Vinegrowers Association and proponent of the Railway League which was instrumental li n the zig zag railway being purchased by the government in 1903. Sanderson was responsible for St Swithuns Church being built, the private school that is now St Brigid's College, and the first Agricultural Hall in Kalamunda in 1896, to name a few. The Sanderson family are integral within the history of the suburb of Lesmurdie, and a road and shopping centre now bear the name of Sanderson. The architect, Herbert Parry was influenced by the home of Cecil Rhodes, Groote Schuur, in South Africa, which he had experienced during his travels. Herbert Parry was an important architect of the time, designing many other significant buildings in the Kalamunda and Perth regions, including the Kalamunda Hotel, stage two of the Agricultural Hall, and in association with Marshall Clifton in 1940, he designed the Captain Stirling and Inglewood Hotels, in the Cape Dutch style of St Brigids, that he had designed over 25 years previously. In 1919 the Red Cross purchased the place and leased it to the Repatriation Department for repatriation of WW1 wounded soldiers .It was known as St Andrews Hospitalduring that period. In 1921 the building was completed as planned by Parry, and Generals Birdwood and Talbott Hobbs laid the foundation stones either side of the door (now covered). The oak trees in the grounds were surplus to those planted in Honour Avenue Kings Park( came from Windsor Castle). The Kalamunda Convalescent Hospital was vacated by the Commonwealth Government and Perth Hospital negotiated with the Red Cross Society to take it over. In 1925 Kalamunda Hospital opened as an auxiliary hospital with a successful healing environment, but was difficult to access. By 1928 it closed due to costs and once again more pressure was on Perth Hospital. In 1929 the Sisters of Mercy added the school to the number of schools around the state. The order of the Sisters of Mercy were founded in Dublin in 1831, and by 1846 Rev Dr Brady, the Bishop of Perth sought the help of volunteer sisters to work Swan River Colony. The Sisters of Mercy developed a widespread community continuing the development of spiritual, academic and cultural excellence in the young. The Sisters of Mercy were founded by Mother M Catherine McAuley, a leader in education and social welfare. It was on the advice of the then Archbishop of Perth, Archbishop Clune, that Mother Brigid Watson purchased the property and opened the college with 7 sisters, 36 boarders and 3 day girls. The College replaced the boarding School of St Brigid's West Perth which was founded in 1888. (A Conservation Plan of St Brigid's West Perth provides a more comprehensive history of the West Perth school) In 1938 a two storey wing on the south side was constructed. In 1965 the Convent at the rear of original west wing was built. The College site developed with significant new buildings during the late 1960s and from the 1970s onwards. Saint Brigid's College currently encompasses 150 boarders and 1000 day students in the Preschool,junior school and senior high school facility .

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