Onslow Goods Shed Museum

Statement of Significance

The Goods Shed, comprising a corrugated iron clad rectangular building (1904) and associated office, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: the Goods Shed is a key historic structure in the Onslow townsite. Whilst utilitarian in form it contributes to the streetscape of Second Avenue, Onslow’s main street. the Goods Shed is also one of the few buildings brought from Old Onslow that has survived the harsh climatic conditions of the North West, as cyclones and floods have destroyed many of the structures from the pre-1925 period. the Goods Shed and associated tramway were essential to the supply and export of goods for the Ashburton district and were a lifeline for the community. The Goods Shed therefore, is an important relic of this way of life and demonstrates a way of life no longer practiced. the Goods Shed is valued by the community as a place with an educational role as a museum and as a place visited by tourists. the building is a rare surviving example of the Goods Sheds, which were often the only buildings constructed in association with jetties of the Northwest.

Physical Description

Exterior: The Goods Shed is a rectangular jarrah-framed, vertically clad corrugated-iron building about 32 by 13 metres, with a gable roof. An office extension sits at the north-west end, and a long rectangular addition (c. post-1994) at the south-east end covers the former concrete loading platform once used for tramway freight. This platform now displays historic rolling stock, including the 1928 petrol locomotive from the Onslow tramway. The western elevation has three large steel-framed doors (approx. 3m × 4m). The shed and office are painted yellow, with guttering, downpipes, doorframes and verandah posts in Federation green or brown. The office has a hipped roof, sash windows with mullions and a timber skillion verandah on the north side. To the north-east is the rail yard with additional rolling stock. Interior: The interior retains its unpainted jarrah framing and weathered corrugated iron. Large timber tramway doors show remnants of pale green paint. The original office is lined with tongue-and-groove timber, while the 1953 extension is lined with asbestos sheeting.

History

Old Onslow was gazetted in 1885, but the town and port struggled from the outset due to cyclones, silting at the river mouth and the exposed coastline. In 1893 the Public Works Department prepared plans to extend the landing and build a Bond Store, Goods Shed and tramway linking the landing to the town. Around 1901 the Bond Store and Goods Shed were moved from Lot 107 near the landing to a site beside the new tramline on Anketell Street. This building burnt down in 1903/04. A replacement was approved at Lot 158 for a “Bonded Store” in April 1904, with Thomas H. Parsons contracted to construct the new building. It was built on concrete piers with jarrah framing and galvanised iron cladding, and the tramline was extended through the shed. A telephone line was also installed along the tramway. An office and lookout tower were added in 1910. As port challenges persisted, a new sea jetty was built at Beadon Point, isolating the old townsite. A new Onslow townsite was gazetted at Beadon Point in 1924, and in 1925 the Goods Shed was transported there by camel. It was extended on reconstruction and used with the new tramway, though no longer as a Bond Store. Further additions were made in 1953. Cyclones in the 1960s led to major repairs, including a new roof and new sliding doors. The shed was then used to store goods unloaded at the jetty and transported along Second Avenue. Today the Goods Shed is vested in the Shire of Ashburton and operates as the Onslow Visitor Centre and Museum, managed by volunteers and displaying regional historic artefacts.

Archaeology

Given the site has been relocated there is limited archaeological potential.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium. Whilst there is a great deal of authentic fabric existing there has been adaptive work over the years such as the remodelling of the roof and various additions. Although the place is now a Visitors Centre and Museum, its original intention as a Goods Shed complex remains apparent.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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