Narembeen Hospital Precinct

Author

Shire of Narembeen

Place Number

05880

Location

Ada St & Hilton Wy Narembeen

Location Details

Other Name(s)

Frail Aged Centre, Koolberin Lodge
Narembeen Memorial Hospital

Local Government

Narembeen

Region

Wheatbelt

Construction Date

Constructed from 1979, Constructed from 1929

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 31 Jul 1996 Category 3
Statewide War Memorial Survey Completed 01 May 1996

Child Places

  • 24767 Narembeen Hospital
  • 24721 Frail aged Lodge

Statement of Significance

The Narembeen Memorial Hospital demonstrates an association with the community of Narembeen since its inception. The hospital represents the value and progress of the medical services in the Narembeen community. It demonstrates changing ways of life.

Physical Description

1929 McKay. 1936 W Adams staff quarters 1962 PWD Maternity & extensions 1965 C Fogliani Laundry block. 1966 Staff quarters and ward extensions 1979 more extensions?? 1987 Koolberrin lodge

History

With the formation of the private town of Narembeen in 1923, the subsequent Roads Board in 1924, the influx of the population soon determined the need for a hospital. Bruce Rock hospital opened in 1920, and patients travelled from Narembeen to consult the doctor at the hospital. With the opening up of the land east of Narembeen the distances were even greater, and it became an important issue to obtain a Doctor and hospital in Narembeen. With the number of returned servicemen from the First World War, it was thought appropriate that a memorial take the form of the hospital. A building committee was formed and every organisation in the district devoted itself to raising money for the hospital. When the Narembeen Memorial Hospital opened in 1929, it was debt free. A ten member hospital board was established which included the town's first resident doctor, Dr Bryant Bladen. In about 1935 the Grain Pool first began a scheme whereby 1/8 penny per bushel was put into a reserve fund and invested. The interest from the investment benefited the farming community through the provision of low interest loans which originally assisted in constructing CWA rest rooms. Later the funds were used for the aged people in the rural communities. Under the auspices of Aged Homes Inc., Dr Eavesdown instigated Meals on Wheels, and subsequently the Frail Aged Lodge was constructed. Five residents initially moved into the lodge which provides medical facilities in a residential facility for aged people in the Narembeen community.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact/redeemable Authenticity: Medium degree

Condition

Good

Associations

Name Type Year From Year To
PWD Architect 1929 -
McKay Architect 1929 -

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
"Newspaper Article". Merredin Mercury 03/05/1967
"Newspaper Article". Merredin Mercury 26/04/1967
Bristow I; "Seedtime & Harvest A History of the Narembeen District 1888-1988". Shire of Narembeen 1988

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use HEALTH Hospital
Present Use HEALTH Hospital

Historic Themes

General Specific
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES World Wars & other wars

Creation Date

16 May 1997

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

Disclaimer

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.