Anzac House, Perth

Values

• The place is rare as a purpose built RSL headquarters in Western Australia.
• The place is a good example of the Late 20th Century Brutalist architectural style in Western Australia.

Physical Description

 Double storey brick and cement building.
 The first storey is constructed from dark brick and is set further back from the street than the second story. There is a commemorative wall separate from the building saying ‘1916: They only deserve freedom who are prepared to defend it’.
 The second story is made from concrete. The windows are vertical slits, at different angles.

History

In 1829, the townsite of Perth was laid out. Initially, the land to the south of St Georges Terrace to the Swan River was reserved. However, in 1834, during the absence of Governor Stirling, the holders of the allotments to the north of the terrace, who used this alluvial, spring-fed land for orchards and gardens, successfully petitioned Lieutenant Governor Irwin, to sub-divide the foreshore land.
The Colony was the first to be developed entirely by free settlers. It wasn't until 1850 that convicts arrived and by that time the basic structure of the settlement had been established.
The city's economic function within the state has changed since its inception. In 1832 it had a smaller population than Fremantle. It enjoyed a minor boom in the 1830s and 1840s when the area around it started producing substantial amounts of wool and wheat. Another boom occurred in the 1890s with the Goldrushes at Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. In the 1950s a number of industrial suburbs grew up on the outskirts of the city and in the 1960s and 1970s a property boom occurred as an indirect result of the iron and nickel booms of the time.
The 1880s proved to be a period of increased prosperity, expansion and development in the Swan River Colony. Perth has continued to grow in size and population.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

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.