Old Butter Factory

Statement of Significance

Old Butter Factory, including a brick and weatherboard butter factory building with a corrugated iron roof (1918), a weatherboard and corrugated iron roofed boiler house (c. 1930), smoke stack (1918) and surrounding Vasse Estuary, has cultural heritage significance as the oldest of only seven places known of the early butter factory in the State and contains some important items of equipment from the early period of operation. The place is a good example of post World War I industrial architecture. The place was crucial to the early development of Busselton’s dairy industry and was assisted by the Group Settlement Scheme following WWI and was important in attempts to make the dairy industry viable. It was historically important as a State government venture to replace the outdated dairy at Fairlawn and to respond to technological change. The place has importance now as a museum and contributes to the community’s sense of place.

Physical Description

The place consists of single and two storey industrial buildings and a number of relocated structures. Utilitarian Style. The factory is situated on the banks of Vasse River, the complex consists of what was once the factory, which is two storeys in one section and the connected administration buildings. Since its adaptation to a museum, a number of non-related buildings have been relocated to the museum and form part of the museum’s collection. The other items include a machinery display shed, group Settlement structures and school.

History

The Old Butter Factory was established by the State Government from 1918 to replace the earlier and outdated dairy in the Fairlawn district, which was the first butter factory established in Western Australia. It played an important role in the developing economy following World War I and the introduction of the Group Settlement Scheme. In addition to making butter, the place provided ice before the introduction of domestic refrigeration. It changed from butter factory to powdered milk factory in 1960 and then to a museumin1975. Thefactory wascrucial to the development of Busselton as a butter factory and continues to contribute to the town’s vitality in its role as a museum.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity Notes: The former function of the place is not readily apparent and its integrity is moderate. Authenticity Notes: There have been numerous changes and additions made to the place so that it retains a moderate to low degree of authenticity. Moderate Degree/Moderate-Low Degree

Condition

Fair-Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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