Mullewa Town Hall & Shire Offices

Statement of Significance

The Mullewa Town Hall has considerable historic significance for its role in the social and civic life of the local community. The place was the centre of local government between 1935 and 1995, a total of 60 years and continues to fulfil an important community function today. The large building is a substantial and imposing structure which dominates the built fabric of the Mullewa Townsite. Although somewhat modified and modemised, the place is still characteristic of Art Deco (Inter-War Functionalist) style Town Halls in regional centres and is representative of the work of prominent architectrual firm Eales, Cohen and Bennett, who designed many rural civic buildings in Western Australia.

Physical Description

The Mullewa Town Hall is located on a prominent comer in the centre of the town, with the main entrance addressing Maitland Road. Despite more recent additions to the Jose Street frontage, the original 1935 rendered brick hall, with its Art Deco style influences to the front (south) facade, remains highly intact. The main hall has a corrugated iron gable roof, painted red, with lean to roofs to the sides and parapet wall to the south. The small roofs either side of the main entrance feature clay tiles in the Marseille pattern. The recessed main entrance is enhanced by an arched doorway with the words "Mullewa Town Hall" in Art Deco style lettering above. The use of arches continues on the western end of the building's frontage and down the Jose Street elevation - this being a later addition. While some windows have been replaced or enlarged, others are still in their original casement form. More recent modernising of the street frontages has also resulted in the removal of decorative window mouldings. A Foundation Stone is located on the front wall to the immediate east of the main entrance. The external colour scheme of the building is predominently cream, with two shades of brown emphasising the banding around the top of the walls. In front of the hall are garden beds, while the war memorial is located immediately to the east.

History

Built in 1935, the Mullewa Town Hall replaced the Original Mullewa Agricultural Hall which was located on the same site, but facing west onto Jose Street. The original timber framed and corrugated iron clad structure was formally opened on 11 September 1912. The following year it was renamed as the Mullewa Town Hall and it served the town well as an important and well used community facility. However, by the' late 1920's and early 1930s the condition of the structure was deteriorating and the building was considered too small for the town's requirements. In 1934, the Mullewa Road Board members could no longer justify spending money on the old hall and moved to construct a new hall at a cost of 4,250 pounds. Designed by the highly reputed architectural firm of Eales, Cohen & Bennett the building contract was let to J.T. Goodlet. On 4 September 1935, the new Art Deco style Town Hall was officially opened by the Lt. Govemor, Sir James Mitchell with a specially cast golden key before a large crowd of VIPs and local people. A few days later, on Saturday 7 September 1935, a Grand Opening Ball was held under the auspices of the Mullewa Road Board. The new building also accommodated the Mullewa Roads Board, and later the Mullewa Shire Office. This dual usage continued until 1995 when the new Shire Office was built on the corner of Pad bury and Thomas Streets. The former Shire Offices now accommodate the Mullewa Community Resource Centre. (Sources: Mullewa Heritage Trail (Place 6); Keefe, B. pp.153-6 & Barden, W.D.)

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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