Local Government
Gingin
Region
Avon Arc
16 Brockman St Gingin
Cnr Brockman & Constable Streets
Gingin
Avon Arc
Constructed from 1886
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 17 Oct 2017 | |
| State Register | Registered | 27 Feb 1996 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Statewide Post Office Survey | Completed | 01 Mar 1992 | ||
| Classified by the National Trust | Recorded | 05 Mar 1979 | ||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 17 Oct 2017 | Category A | |
Gingin Post Office is significant as a rare example of the Colonial Government's post office building program and is the oldest extant purpose built post office in Western Australia. It represents the vigorous lobbying by the Gingin community for its construction and the associated connection to the telegraph line from Perth to Geraldton. It represents the complementary association between police and postal service in the early development of public facilities. The residence demonstrates the role and lifestyle of the postmaster at the time.
The masonry building faces Constable Street in an elevated position overlooking the town. The building is domestic in scale and design. The frontage is symmetrical with two protruding bays rooms with faceted bay windows flanking the central entry. The hipped tiled roof continues over the central entry with gablets to the flanking elements. Additions on both sides of the frontage have break pitch skillion extensions of the main roof.
The first mail service to Gingin (at WL Brockman's property) was in 1853 on the Champion Bay route. In 1854 John York set up post office at Creaton, becoming the first post master and Registrar, until 1863. Mrs Tyler, the policeman's wife, and school mistress who lived near the police paddock in the establishing town, became post mistress, and in 1864 John Cockram was contracted for the monthly mail delivery. In 1881 Mrs Hackett was Postmistress, with mail distributed through the Police station. Tenders for the Post Office quarters were called on 20 August 1886. It was constructed by Chas Smith on Police reserve land next to police station. Officially opened on 28 October 1886. Mr and Mrs Hackett resided there 1893-1914 with Mrs being the Postmistress and Mr being the police officer (until 1893). George Temple Poole was the Government Architect of the period, and his design influence is evident in Gingin Post Office and the other six that were built to the same design in that period; Pingelly, Narrogin, Wagin, Katanning, Broomehill, Mt Barker.
Integrity: High degree Authenticity: Moderate degree
Good
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr I H Van Bremen; "Thesis submission for the Doctorate of Philosophy- Dept of Architecture". | UWA | 1990 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | Transport\Communications | Comms: Post or Telegraph Office |
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Comms: Post or Telegraph Office |
| Present Use | RESIDENTIAL | Single storey residence |
| Style |
|---|
| Victorian Georgian |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | BRICK | Rendered Brick |
| Wall | RENDER | Roughcast |
| Roof | TILE | Cement Tile |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Law & order |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Government policy |
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Mail services |
| OCCUPATIONS | Technology & technological change |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Technology & technological change |
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Technology & technological change |
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Telecommunications |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.