Government and Military Reserve (c.1831), Lawley Park & Tennis Courts, Albany

Child Places

• 15442 Spencer Memorial and Significant Trees
• 15442 Spencer Memorial and Significant Trees

Statement of Significance

Lawley Park & Lawley Park Tennis Courts & Spencer Memorial has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place is closely associated to a number of historical events, people and sites of buildings and structures important to the early British discovery, settlement and development of Albany including Matthew Flinders’ camp; a natural soak which provided water; the original Albany Gaol, Government school, courthouse, bonded store and police residences (1830s); Wollaston’s House (1830s); Lawley Park Municipal Swimming Baths (1912); Lawley Park Tennis Courts, as well as a suite of memorials including for Sir Richard and Lady Anne Spencer, the Western Australian Police Force, the coronation of Elizabeth II and the CWA Jubilee. The place was the first public/municipal park developed by the Albany Council for the pleasure and enjoyment of its residents and visitors at a time when the importance of public open spaces and gardens for the health of communities was gaining universal traction, providing not only an attractive cultural landscape but also important facilities such as the tennis courts and baths and later playgrounds and memorials of interest. The place was constructed on the site of the old Military Reserve, its prominent location overlooking the Harbour intentionally selected for military purposes owing to Albany’s importance as a strategical coastal defence position The place has landmark value with it sweeping open vista along Brunswick Road and prominent location overlooking the harbour and is highly valued by the local community and well maintained by the Albany Council. Lawley Park courts are the oldest tennis courts in the region.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Terrain sloping down to the Lawley Tennis Club on the lower level • A number of mature trees, including various species of oak, pine and plane • A circular drive on the upper level of the park, winding through another stand of mature trees set in lawn • A children’s playground and public toilets, providing amenities on the top level of the park • Site of the Spencer Memorial, a granite stone obelisk resting on a rough faced plinth, commemorating Sir Richard Spencer’s contribution to the settlement of Albany • Floral garden, including ‘peace’ rose garden, in honour of Queen Elizabeth II

History

Lawley Park, which was officially opened in 1902, is associated with a number of significant historical events and sites of buildings and structures important to the development of Albany. It was originally known as the Military Reserve and the Brunswick Road Park before its development into the public park there today. In December 1801 Matthew Flinders camped on the original shoreline of what would later become Lawley Park before reclamation. The WA Lands Dept confirmed this in 1974 after checking bearings to prepare for events marking the bicentenary of Flinder’s birth. The area also contained a natural soak at the foot of the cliffs at the west end of the park. This was used as a source of water by early visitors to the area and was later developed into a well with a tank to store water. The original Wollaston House was built here in the early 1830s for Mr Morley the harbor master and called Stirling Castle, then it was relocated by Dr Henry Wollaston and rebuilt in Duke Street in 1848. Another significant historical building established in Lawley Park was the original Guardroom and prison – later known as the Albany Gaol. Tenders were called in October 1835 and the foundation stones laid in 1836 as reported in the Perth Gazette: On Wednesday, March 9, 1836, Lady and Miss Spencer laid the first stone in the foundation of each of the new Government buildings, about to be erected in Albany, under which were deposited medallions bearing excellent likenesses of Their present Majesties, King William and Queen Adelaide. On completion of the ceremony, three hearty cheers were given by the spectators, amongst whom were several of the officers of the H.M.S. Beagle'." (Perth Gazette 26 March 1836) Of interest with regards those who attended the laying of the foundation stone, one of the passengers on the Beagle was famous evolution theorist. naturalist and author, Charles Darwin. Over the years the gaol (located at the bottom end of Lawley Park) became notorious for its overcrowding, poor conditions and high escape rate: The gaol was the most shameful of Albany’s public buildings. Small, damp and uncomfortable it was frequently badly over crowded. There were no proper facilities for women prisoners and they often had to be locked in cells with the men. Aboriginal and half-caste women in particular would have suffered from such privation. Many prisoners in the gaol fell ill from the conditions and almost as many escaped. Complaints were legion but nothing was done until after the convict depot was closed in 1872 and a new gaol was built on the site. The first Government school was also built near the rocks at the bottom of the hill in the 1830s. In addition, the area also contained the first courthouse and bonded store and two policemen’s residences. From the 1870s the old gaol building and school together with the other Government buildings on the site were all demolished to make room for the terminus of the Great Southern Railway. By 1897 planning was underway for a public garden which was badly needed in the Albany townsite. The area desired by the Council was on Brunswick Road on the old military reserve E2 and E4 vested in the State Government Military Department. At this time it was vacant as all buildings had been removed or demolished but the military authorities were planning to build a drill hall on this reserve as well as a residence for visiting Admirals. However, this was abandoned when the Council came up with an idea to do a land swap for the reserve on Brunswick Road for another parcel of land on which to build the drill hall but that the old reserve would be made available for military purposes if needed. A letter from the Albany Council was written to the Under Secretary in September 1897 to have the reserve transferred to the Council for the purposes of a botanic park. After an initial rejection and further negotiations and deputations by the Council, in June 1899 the reserve was finally vested in the Council in trust for parklands. The Council wanted all the Lots to the west that were part of E2 including Mr Douglas’s house on Lot 166 but this was not granted as these Lots remained ‘…reserved for defence purposes and in view of the possible importance of Albany as a strategical position, maybe required in the future for a Commandant's residence should Albany become a naval station’. (Albany Advertiser 7 September 1899). In 1901, William Sangster was awarded the tender to build the caretaker cottage on the park. Couch grass removed from Middleton Road was also planted at the park. Lawley Park was officially opened by the Governor and Lady Lawley on 10th February 1902 which coincided with the official start of the annual Albany Week festival. The event was reported in the Albany Advertiser: At 3 o clock in the afternoon the Governor and Lady Lawley attend in Brunswick-road to open and name the park. A large number of residents were present on the occasion and among the visitors were Mr and Mrs Morgans and the Premier. His Excellency was met at the western entrance by the Mayor and Councillors and then proceeded to open the gate which had been fastened by a chain and a gold padlock. Admission having been obtained to the grounds the assemblage moved on to the turf patch on the inside of the drive. The Union Jack was unfurled to the strains of the National Anthem as the Vice Regal party approached. Upon calling a halt, The Mayor said His Excellency had kindly consented to open and name the reserve Lawley Park. He briefly touched upon the difficulties that had to be overcome in securing the ground and obtaining the money to lay it out, acknowledging the services of Mr R Muir, senr, in the work. He was sure that all were glad to see the park complete at last. The Governor said it was with great pleasure he had accepted the invitation of the Mayor and Council to open and name the park. The site was a beautiful one and he was certain the glories of nature had been enhanced by the manner in which the ground was laid out. He was pleased to declare the park open and to call it Lawley Park. He felt flattered that they should name it after him and he only hoped as years advanced and the town progressed the park would serve a useful purpose. He could assure them that he would be proud to wear the padlock they had given him on his watch chain. The visitors afterwards walked round the park while the band played several selections. (Albany Advertiser 11 February 1902) There were also several guns or cannons located at Lawley Park one of which was reputed to be one that Major Lockyer brought with him in 1826, and the other a remnant of the former use as a military reserve. In 1910 some indigenous gum trees were removed from the park that were interfering with the growth of the pine trees that had been planted. In 1911 the caretakers cottage was extended by building contractors Green Bros. The longest serving caretaker at Lawley Park was George McBride, who served from 1910 to 1939. After some years of planning the final location for the Municipal Tennis Courts and the Municipal Swimming Baths by the Albany Council, Lawley Park was finally decided upon in January 1911. The courts were designed by the then Town Clerk and Engineer Ernest Braid Paton, who also built the town’s storm water drainage system. The Albany Town Council provided £1,000 towards construction, which required removal of 10,000 ‘square yards’ of earth and sand. On 1 March 1912 the first two of the four courts were officially opened for playing and are regarded as the oldest tennis courts in the region. In 1912 the Lawley Park Municipal Swimming Baths were built over open water opposite the present site of the lower car park in Lawley Park. The baths were designed by Mr E Paton, the Albany Town Clerk and Engineer and built by Wiley and Allwood. They were demolished in 1924-25 and the remnant building material was used in the new baths built at the Albany Town Jetty. There is no surviving visible evidence of the Lawley Park Baths. A description of the park as it was in 1936 appeared in the Albany Advertiser: This picturesque corner is set on the terraced slopes between the roadway and the northern shore of Princess Royal Harbour...The area is vested in the Municipality, and a permanent caretaker and gardener is installed. Beautiful winding walks are skirted by avenues of pine and other trees of the spreading variety, thus affording a wealth of shade. Spacious lawns abound, on which the children may romp, while their custodians rest. Flower beds are also generously dotted about the park. On the foreshore below the park the youngsters have an ideal setting for paddling in the sandy shallows of the harbour. (Albany Advertiser 16 November 1936) There are a series of memorials installed in the park. The stone obelisk was erected in 1901 commemorating Sir Richard Spencer who died in 1839 and his wife Lady Anne Spencer. The other, erected in 1992, is dedicated to members of the Western Australian Police Force who have given their lives whilst in the execution of their duty. A floral garden, including a ‘peace’ rose garden planted in 1953, celebrates the coronation of Elizabeth II. In 1941 the two guns that were still located in the park were sold for scrap. In 1984, a plaque was installed in the garden area at the east end of the park to commemorate the CWA jubilee year.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High/moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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