Duranillin Garage

Statement of Significance

The building has been a significant part of the Duranillin streetscape for a long period of time. Its architechural style compliments the Duranillin General Store which is another contributing building to the streetscape in Duranillin

Physical Description

The building is located on the corner of Farrell Street (the main street) and Williams Street of Duranillin next to the General Store. It is still mostly in its original condition with a timber frame and weatherboard sides on the building. The roof is constructed of corrugated iron.

Tom Elias had an “agreement” with Mr Ken Thompson who owned the land to build a garage. Mr Elias was a qualified mechanic from Collie. He also happened to be a very good builder. He put the timber stumps and bearers down and made the wall frames himself. His brothers Clem and Glen and two local lads assisted in standing them in place one weekend. Later Tom made the roof trusses and had the joining bolts and brackets made by Gelderts in Collie. On completion his two brothers and the two local lads once again helped place the roof trusses with a small ‘jib’(crane) from Palmers in Collie. The garage was fitted with a very modern hydraulic hoist and opened for business in 1949. Originally Tom Elias had built work benches along the northern wall. There was a counter at the front of the garage as you first entered the door. There is a ramp at the back of the garage near an old toilet that was used as part of the garage.

The hoist has since been removed and is lying next to the garage. All benches have also been removed.

History

This timber framed weather board building was constructed in Duranillin 1949 (1) by Tom Elias and was used as a garage for the repair and maintenance of cars and trucks. Tom Elias was the builder of the garage but the land was owned by KB Thompson. Tom employed Greg Cochrane who worked at the garage for 3 and half years (2). Other local farmers worked in the garage in various capacities over the next 10 years. Rob Paisley-Kerr came to the district in 1954 and had an early association with the garage (3).

Tom Atkinson came from Collie in December 1957 to work for Tom Elias who was experiencing failing health. Tom Atkinson leased the garage from Tom Elias in early 1958 (4). During the years of Tom Atkinson’s tenure Tom Elias made hundreds of mailboxes out of recycled oil drums for the farmers of Duranillin and surrounding localities. He had them painted and the farmers’ name and farm name painted by Collie sign writer Harry Fellows. Most of these boxes are still a focal point of farm entrances today nearly 50 years later.

Tom Elias lived in a house in Horley St Duranillin and upon his retirement and death the garage became the property of Ken Thompson .

Other operators of the garage at various times were Ted Bunter, and Murray Anderson.

The building then was then shut up for a period of time before it was taken over by a group of five local ladies (Trish McKenzie, Judith Abbott, Margaret Scott and Joan Hewton) in 1991 to make woolen quilts(5) . The business expanded to also include pillows, and underlays. This business operated out of the garage until 1998.

After the quilters closed the doors on their operations the building was used by David Pearce to operate a wool buying business. The garage was modified with the hoist removed and the benches along the side taken out to allow wool bins to be installed. (6)

The building was sold by KB Thompson to Nick and Jenny Hosking and Phil and Rosemary Della in 1987 as part of the sale of the General Store. The building was then sold to George, Jenny and William Shepardson in 2006.

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications: The hoist and shelving have been removed. New metal sliding doors have been placed at either end of the shed. Everything remaining is original
Extent of original fabric: Mostly the building is still in its original condition

Condition

Poor – at the back of the building there are quite a few bits of weatherboard coming away and the window is broken

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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.