Busselton Early Childcare Centre

Statement of Significance

• The place has historic value for its association with the development of Busselton and the region in the Inter War years when professionals and their families were settling in the town and providing key services. • This place has historic value for its association with Dr Walter Yates and his family who made a significant contribution to the town of Busselton professionally and socially. • The place has social value for the Busselton community as it was well known as the rooms of General Practioner Dr Yates for many decades where many residents would have visited. Its use and presence in the streetscape contributes to the community sense of place

Physical Description

This former residence is a single storey brick and stone, gambrel and gabled roof building with an encircling verandah. The verandah has timber decorative elements that give the place its distinctive appearance. Infill to the side of the verandah has diminished the symmetry and openness of the building. The front property boundary is defined by a timber fence limiting the view of the front yard which includes mature trees

History

This former residence was built for Dr Walter Percy Yates in 1922‐9 and designed by the prominent architectural team of Cohen & Eales. Eales and Cohen undertook a considerable number of projects in the Busselton district during the Inter War years. Dr Yates (1889-1985) his wife Evelyn May Cocker (1889-1983) and their two children lived in the house, and Dr Yates ran his surgery from the front rooms. The verandah outside the surgery and facing Albert Street was well known by Busselton residents for more than 30 years as they filled the chairs lined up along its length waiting for their turn to see the doctor. Dr Yates was born in York City, England and trained at Glasgow University in Scotland. He came to WA in 1912 and set up a practice in York. He worked for a short time at Woodman Point Quarantine Station. His wife Evelyn came from England during WWI and their son and daughter were later born in Fremantle. After the war, he came to Busselton and was appointed Government Medical Officer for the district in 1922, a position he held until 1955. When Dr Yates began practicing, he was the only doctor between Capel and Albany and often visited patients on horseback, horse and cart, or car depending on the road conditions. He helped to establish the St. John Ambulance in the district and in 1940 was recognized as an honorary life member. He started the first public Tennis Club. He was a member of the first board of management for the Villa Maria project, the first retirement village in the area. In 1955 he moved to Perth and served on the Repatriation Board for 15 years before retiring to his home in Albert St Busselton. The property was auctioned in February 2003 and bought by the current owners and the place converted to use as a child care centre. The adjoining block to the west was previously a tennis court for the Yates family. Aerial photographs from the mid 20th century indicate that the form and extent of the original residence has not changed significantly although there have been new structures built in the front and back yards

Integrity/Authenticity

The place retains a high degree of integrity. The place retains a high degree of authenticity.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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