Manjimup Infant Health Centre (fmr)

Statement of Significance

Aesthetic, Historic, Representativeness, Social and Rarity

Physical Description

The Manjimup Infant Health centre (fmr) is on the corner of Rutherford and Moore St. The site comprises the clinic and a brick and tile garage. The clinic building is located centrally on the site and is set on the diagonal so the front façade faces towards the intersection of the two streets. The clinic is a single storey brick and tile building built on a domestic scale similar to houses built in the Inter-War period. It is constructed of stretcher bond brick work walls and a Marseilles patterned terracotta tile roof with lined eaves and timber windows. The main façade of the clinic is composed symmetrically with two hipped roofed wings projecting forward of the main body of the building. The main entrance to the building is central within the wall between the two wings. The entrance is housed within a semi-circular portico. Much of the architectural interest in this building is concentrated on the design of the entrance portico, which together with the symmetry of the front façade, displays a number of the characteristics of the Inter-War Stripped Classical style. Six octagonal columns support the simplified rendered entablature of the portico, bearing the words Manjimup Infant Health Centre. A simple curved balustrade runs between the columns.

History

These historical notes have been derived from the Heritage Places Assessment Documentation, Heritage Council Of Western Australia Compiled by Kristy Bizzaca December 2001 There was an increase in the provision of public services to the Manjimup area during the Inter-War period. This coincided with the recognition of a need for state wide infant welfare services to be set up throughout Western Australia. It was at the instigation of the Bridgetown branch of the CWA that an infant health clinic was opened at Bridgetown/ Manjimup on 29 November 1940. At the time of establishment the Bridgetown Clinic also served the Manjimup district. The Infant Health nurse based as Bridgetown travelled to the sub-centre at Manjimup one day a week to operate a clinic out of the rooms in the local CWA’s rest room (Hall). In 1943 the service was increased to two and a half days a week owing to a flourishing clinic. At some point during this growing period the Infant Health service moved from the CWA Hall to new accommodation in Brockman Street. It appears in c1943 the Manjimup Infant Health Centre became increasingly autonomous from the Bridgetown clinic. Records show that the Manjimup Infant Health Centre was administered by its own committee as early as 1941/1942. The committee was responsible for paying the Sister’s wages and the running expenses of the clinic, which included raising money for rent and maintenance costs. In January 1944 Dr Eleanor Stang, Medical Supervisor of Infant Health, visited Manjimup. Her meeting with the Infant Health nurse, Sister Page, and the Manjimup committee, stimulated the local community to raise funds for the building of a new Infant Health Centre. A baby competition was organized by the Committee and the local community supported the concept by raising over 1,400 pounds. Further money was secured form the Lotteries commission and the Manjimup Road Board. In 1944 Nancy Allen of the architectural firm of WG Bennett drew up plans for the proposed Manjimup Infant Health Centre. The building comprised the rooms of the centre and the living quarters for the nurse. In February 1945 the tender for the construction of the Infant Health Centre was awarded to builder James Rea. Records show that the Infant Health Clinic formed part of a larger civic centre to be located at the site. However, the construction of the community centre did not go ahead. The Manjimup Road Board as owners of the property became responsible for the Infant Health centre’s maintenance. The Infant Health Centre was opened to mothers on 4 February 1946. Much to the consternation of Sister Hernan the new centre was not well attended in the first few months. The new clinic was deemed to far from the hub of the town. Attempts to solve the problem included a free bus to transport mothers and their babies to this vital service. The centre was officially opened on 5 July 1946, by this time the earlier concerns of attendance seem to have died down. In 1994 the clinic was enlarged to takeover the residential facilities. It was at this stage the main entrance was changed to the north side (the former front door of the Sister’s living quarters.) In April/May 2000 the Manjimup Infant Health Clinic was relocated to a new building. It is interesting to note that the Manjimup Infant Health Clinic is still administered by a management committee, one of the few remaining clinic in WA to be operated this way. In 2005 the Infant Health Centre (fmr) was occupied and being used as a Shire office.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Fair Authenticity: Very high

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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