Morawa Shire Offices

Parent Place or Precinct

01620 Morawa Shire Office & Town Hall

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The original building occupies a prominent corner location and forms part of the Prater Street precinct, which contains several buildings of different architectural styles, all constructed in the 1930s.

Physical Description

The original building is symmetrically designed around a corner entrance, with a pediment above, to provide a classical appearance. The entrance doors are an unsympathetic alteration. The Council Chamber addition does not interfere with the lines of the original building. There are plaques situated on the eastern walls, with the following inscriptions: 1. Plaque bronze. 30cm x 46cm. Shire of Morawa These council Chamber Office extensions and library were officially opened by The Premier of Western Australia Hon. D. Brand M.L.A. on Friday 10th December 1956. Architect Perry Rosenthal and Associates Builder Golowin bros. Pty. Ltd. Shire Pres. Clr.N. C. Croot Shire Clerk G.E.Jones F.I.M.A. 2. Plaque bronze. 46cm x 51cm. Iron ore sample imposed. This plaque was unveiled by The Minister for Mines Hon.A.F. Griffith M.L.C. to commemorate the inauguration by the Premier ofW.A. Hon.David Brand M.L.A. of the first commercial export of iron ore from this State. This ore was mined at Koolanooka Hills by The Western Mining Corporation Ltd. The first train load was carried on this day Friday 4th February 1966 to the port of Geraldton. 3. Plaque bronze. 35cm x 28cm, external Morawa Water Supply This plaque was unveiled by The Hon. David Brand M.L.A. Premier of Western Australia on 16th December 1965 To commemorate the supply of water from the Arrino Bores Hon.Ross Hutchinson D.F.C. M.L.A. Minister for Works and Water supplies. J.E.Parker B.C.E., A.M.I.E., Aust. Director of Engineering J.McConnell J.P., A.A.S.A. Under Secretary for Works. 4. Plaque Satin Bronze 36cm x 28cm, external Shire of Morawa Morawa waste water scheme. This plague was unveiled by Hon. G.C. Mackinnon M.L.C. Minister for Works, Water Supply and Tourism To commemorate the official opening of the scheme March 30. 1979. J. A. North. President. P.S.Jenkins. Deputy President. Councillors, L.J.Broad. G.C. Catto. C.Croot. S.C.Glassford. L.G.Harley. C.L.Lane. K.R..Ludlow. R.L.More. JR..Patterson. K.L.HUI Shire Clerk. Contractor, Connought Earthmoving Consulting Engineer and Drainage contractor Richard Wittenoom & Associates Pty.Ltd. 5. Cream painted flat iron. Brown painted lettering. 92cm x 61cm. Morawa Public Library in association with Th Library Board of W.A. 1964.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Although altered, the form of the building remains to provide a degree of integrity. Modifications: 1959, cream plastered walls, tall glass entrance doors, tile roof; 1965 new Council Chamber and entry from Dreghorn Street, red brick painted

Condition

Good

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Morawa Town Hall & Lesser Hall

Parent Place or Precinct

01620 Morawa Shire Office & Town Hall

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

This building is another example of the progress that took place in Morawa during the Depression. The hall has served the community well for many years as the community centre. Dances were held regularly until society moved to other types of entertainment. As a result of cyclone damage the hall has been re-roofed.

Physical Description

The hall is situated beside the Shire Council Offices, with a parking area on the west side and detached toilets at the rear. The bulk of the structure is such that it is the largest building in Morawa. The facade is in simple art deco style.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: The street facade maintains its integrity. There have been additions at the rear and the interior has been much altered. Modifications : A bio-box addition for (external) picture gardens was an early modification: early 1960s rear of main building extended with red brick, matching steel windows, kitchen rebuilt with aluminium frame windows and fibro ceilings; 1980s jarrah panelling around stage removed, ceiling lowered, metal perforated tiles installed; 1992/3 new aluminium front doors installed, men's toilets removed, lesser half remodelled internally with metal ceiling and carpet.

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Old Morawa Post Office

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The building has historical and social value as an early post office for the town.

Physical Description

The building is situated in a garden setting, facing the railway, with the appearance of a house. The original form seems to have been a rectangular plank hipped roof with gablette and a front verandah under a skillion roof, with a gabled roofed extension facing Solomon Street.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: The form of the building is intact although the appearance has changed. Modifications: Timber cladding replaced with asbestos

Condition

Fair

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Prater Park

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The park has a social value, being the first park in Morawa and recognising the pioneer Prater family. During World War II, slit trenches were provided amongst the trees, over the road from the hotel.

Physical Description

Bush Parkland, stone and pipe fence, wrought iron sign over entrance. On the southern pillar of the entrance is a plaque of aluminium alloy 30 cm x 38 cm, with the following inscription: This park is dedicated to the pioneers of the district by the Morawa Junior Chamber

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: The park is as constructed and has a high integrity. Modifications: Nil

Condition

Good

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Morawa Hotel

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The hotel has always been an important social centre for the town, offering both short and long term accommodation. A doctor used to operate out of an upstairs room. Another room was used by a travelling dentist. The building is typical of a country hotel of the era.

Physical Description

The Morawa Hotel occupies a prominent corner location facing the railway, on the east side of town. It has always been the only two storeyed building in town. It originally had continuous verandahs at both ground and first floor levels, for the full length of both street frontages. The roof has gables over the corner and mid way along the Solomon Terrace frontage. The building contains a number of small jarrah fireplaces, with mantelpieces and pressed metal ceilings with a variety of patterns.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Ground floor much altered; first floor more original. Modifications Ground Floor much altered to create a larger bar and entertainment areas; staff quarters now bar area; there was a separate workers dining room until late 1940s. Brick verandah infill; some amalgamation of rooms upstairs by knocking doorways through.

Condition

Fair

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Morawa Police Station

Parent Place or Precinct

10150 Morawa Police Station & Court House

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Morawa Police Station & Court House

Child Places

• 17354 Morawa Police Station

Condition

Very good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Child Places

• 17354 Morawa Police Station

Statement of Significance

The building was erected during the mineral boom of the 1960s and is a good example of its era.

Physical Description

A cream brick building with flat roof and metal facia, overlooking one of two railway crossings in the town. There is a plaque of satin bronze, 55cm x 42cm, on the front wall, with the following inscription: This building was opened on 17th March 1967 by The Premier and Treasurer of Western Australia The Hon. David Brand M.L.A. in association with the Hon. K.F. Griffith M.L.C. minister for justice and the Hon. J.F. Craig M.L.A. minister for police Architect Robert Blatchford Perth Builder S. & M. Wojcik Northam

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: The original fabric is fully intact. Modifications: Nil

Condition

Very Good

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Drive in Theatre - Site of

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

This site has social value as a very busy activity centre during the mining years and before the availability of television in the area.

Physical Description

A flat area of ground, surrounded by an asbestos fence, currently used as a nursery.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Very little remains - site interest only Modifications Screen Demolished, Bio Box demolished

Condition

Poor

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Morawa Co-op (fmr)

Parent Place or Precinct

01624 Winfield Street Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The building has historical and social significance. The Morawa and Merkanooka District Co-operative started on the corner in 1917. The original building burnt down around 1939, when the co-op was wound up and the present building, constructed. The new premises was called Rushton's Store, followed by Rules Store and Parkwood Engineering. In the 1960s, the store expanded into the adjoining Lot 40, which, during the mining period, was partly occupied by the National Bank, Mary's Frock Shop and Grants Dry Cleaners. John Luscombe started the supermarket and later sold to Bailey.

Physical Description

The building is located in a prominent position and has an important visual impact on the streetscape. It comprises two main components, the original concrete block construction right on the corner and the expanded predominantly corrugated iron facility adjoining the original store.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Apart from some doors and windows the building has a reasonable integrity with the main form intact. Modifications: Aluminium Door, shop window frames

Condition

Good

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Winfield Street Precinct

Child Places

• 01623 Bank of New South Wales (NSW)
• 10147 Morawa Co-op (fmr)

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Child Places

• 01623 Bank of New South Wales (NSW)
• 10147 Morawa Co-op (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The precinct has historical value in containing many of the first buildings constructed in the town.

Physical Description

The precinct comprises all lots on the west side of Winfield Steet facing the railway, for three street blocks from White Avenue to Caulfield Road, and is the main commercial area of Morawa. At either end buildings take the form of houses, sometimes with a history of commercial use. More central to the precinct, buildings are more conventional shops. Following declaration of the Morawa Townsite in 1912, the majority of the buildings in the precinct were constructed in the 1920s and 1930s. They include the first State Housing Commission house on Lot 62 (refer photos 2/5,6), the first green grocery store operated by the Jones Family on Lot 63 (2/7), and the original co-op and the first bank, which are separately listed as Nos. 81/24 and 81/12 respectively.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: The precinct contains buildings of various ages, with the majority constructed during the 1920s and 1930s. Modifications: Alterations and construction of new buildings have been progressively carried out.

Condition

Fair

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Pioneer Park

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

This small park is well used by residents and tourists alike, as a rest/lunch area, and has a social value.

Physical Description

This small park on the main street of the town has a curved sign "Pioneer Park" over the entrance. It comprises a grassed area with seats, with small trees and shrubs around the perimeter.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: The park is as constructed and has a high integrity. Modifications: Nil

Condition

Good

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Bank of New South Wales (NSW)

Parent Place or Precinct

01624 Winfield Street Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

This was the first bank building in Morawa. During the 1930's Depression times this bank was responsible for much ill feeling in the farming community, to the extent where one farmer attempted to burn down the premises. No damage was done. The front facade has historical, social and architectural value.

Physical Description

The bank occupies a central position in the main street of the town, facing the railway. Although the building is only single storey it has a solid, imposing character. The steel framed windows are in the art deco style, incorporating edge mullions, various transoms, patterned and clear glass, and a top opening window. The front facade has a geometric moulding at top of window height.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Apart from the front door and painted brickwork, the appearance of the exterior appears close to original. Modifications: Much altered inside, including false ceiling; brickwork recently painted; new aluminium front door.

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War Rock Dam Wall

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The dam walls have social and historic value, demonstrating an early means of water supply.

Physical Description

The dam walls, approximately 300mm high, are built around a surface rock outcrop and channel water to a corrugated iron roofed water storage area managed by the Water ' Corporation.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: The dam walls are as constructed and have a high integrity. Modifications: Nil

Condition

Good

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Pintharuka Soak & Well

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site was a watering place for shepherds from 1870 to 1910. In this period most of the land was held under leasehold. During the 1890's, prospectors camped there on their way to Rothsay and the north eastern goldfields. Following the settlement of the district, the well provided household water. The area was the site of the Pintharauka Sports and Cricket Ground. The soak and well are of historic and social significance.

Physical Description

Well in a bush setting.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: The well is intact. Modifications: The site has been much modified over the years but the well has remained.

Condition

Fair

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