CWA Building

Statement of Significance

The place is a representative example of a building style - copy of a style that emanated in the Bauhaus, and which was common in Western Australia in the 1960s. The place has historic value as a demonstration of the development phase that occurred in Pingelly in the late 1950s and early 1960s, when a number of community groups and facilities were established.

Physical Description

The roof of this building is covered in super-six asbestos-cement roof sheeting. The roof overhangs to all elevations. The roof is low pitched (1 -3°), walls are plain, fair-faced brickwork in a sand colour and end walls extend to the roof line. The plainness of the elevation is relieved by the rendered feature wall on the street elevation, the picture window frames and large size window frames and door units in timber.

History

On 24 May 1934, after Mrs Williams had convened a meeting, it was decided to form a Pingelly branch of the Country Womens Association (CWA). By 1936 there were 45 members and it was found that a more suitable venue was required. An approach was made to the Public Works Department for the use of the Courthouse, in Parade Street, and this was approved for a very low rental. In keeping with other centres and the need for a building of their own, a building fund was opened in 1948. In 1951, a block of land on the corner of Parade and Sharow Street was surveyed and bought from the University of Western Australia for £30 and fund raising began in earnest. In 1953, the Agricultural Bank, which had earlier erected a number of buildings off Queen Street, offered these for sale. The purchase of a two-roomed cottage with an enclosed verandah for a kitchen, bathroom and storage, became the branch's first owned restroom. By demolishing the centre wall, an area if 24' x 12' provided adequate meeting room until sold in 1960. By 1958, the branch had raised £3,000 and obtained a £2,000 loan enabling plans to be made to erect a new rest room. The designer was Mr S. Carr and the builder, Mr W. Gibbs of Northam. On 19 September 1960, the new modem rest room was officially opened by the CWA State President, Mrs Higgins. Costing £4,550/17/0, the brick structure with asbestos roof, consisted of a large kitchen, well equipped, large assembly room, quiet room for children, shower etc. The creation of a garden was the next task. Roses were planted, then moved because of the adjacent sugar gums on the street. An artistic Japanese garden took form with local white stones, Japanese lantern and lily pond. Curbing, lawn then shrubbery on the south side followed.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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