Cowaramup Hall

Statement of Significance

Cowaramup Hall is of significance:
• For its value to the community as the centre of social events and its contribution to the community spirit of the Cowaramup area since the early 1930s.
• As evidence of the community spirit and activity of the group settlers and later members of this farming community.

Physical Description

The Cowaramup Hall is a rectangular, timber-framed building. The walls are clad with flat edged weatherboard with four tall windows and a rear door along each side. The windows retain their timber outer frames, but the glazing is now in 4 panes with aluminum framing. The gabled roof is clad with zincalume with ogee profile gutters and round, pvc downpipes. There is a skillion addition at rear, which is probably the 1932 supper room addition.The front (western) façade features a modern twin gable addition constructed of rendered masonry. This includes a small projecting entrance porch, leading to the main entrance.Limited views through the windows indicate that the hall has an unlined ceiling, timber floor, and a timber wainscott with plain plasterboard walls over.The hall is located on the southern side of the Cowaramup Community Park (see Place # C0-01) and is set between a sealed car park and tennis courts.

History

The Cowaramup district was opened up for closer settlement with the establishment of the Group Settlement Scheme in the early 1920s. Groups 12 and 13, which were in the immediate vicinity of the present town, were both established in April 1922. With the commencement of a railway service in 1924 Cowaramup siding became a busy local centre. The first town site (west of the railway siding) was surveyed in 1925 and the present site was gazetted in 1930.In October 1929, the Cowaramup Progress Association and Agricultural Society called for tenders for a new 60ft x 30ft hall and they subsequently employed the services of Mr Falkingham of Busselton, who built the hall for £102/5/6. The timber was supplied by Phil Ryan from Swan Saw millers, of Busselton. Millars supplied all the materials at a cost of £200. The hall was opened with a ball on 29 November 1930.
A stage was put in the hall in 1931, and a supper room was added in 1932. The hall was eventually paid off by the shire in 1945, vested in the shire, and subsequently run by the Hall and Reserves Committee.An extension was built to the north side of the hall in 1960. A front porch was added in 1985 (no longer extant) and further renovations were undertaken in 2000.

Integrity/Authenticity

High: The original use has been maintained.
Medium: The place has had some alterations, but the original intent/character is still clearly evident.

Condition

Good *Assessed from streetscape survey only

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.