Bridgetown Infant Health Centre (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The Bridgetown Infant Health Centre (fmr) is significant for its
social and historic values as the first purpose-built Infant Health
Centre in Bridgetown; for its use for this purpose from 1954-
c.1992; and as a good representative example of the many
clinics designed by William Bennett, architect.
It is also forms part of a unified mid-20th century community
service precinct, which is focussed around Memorial Park, and
which collectively contributes to the community’s sense of place.

Aesthetic Value
The place is not of particular aesthetic value on its own, but it
contributes to a unified mid-20th century community service
precinct along the western side of Hampton Street, comprising
the Ambulance Station (fmr) (B58); Fire Station (B57); Memorial
Park and War Memorial (B26); Infant Health Centre (fmr) (B55);
and CWA Hall (B56).
The physical form of this group and the strong associations with
community services and events contribute to the community’s
sense of space.

Historic Value
High
The Bridgetown Infant Health Centre (fmr) is of historic value as
the first purpose built infant health building in Bridgetown,
demonstrating the post war cultural development phase of the
State (relating to Infant Health Clinics), as well as of Bridgetown.
It also helps to illustrate the important role that the Bridgetown
Advancement Policy Pool played in the early post-WWII
development of Bridgetown, including the provision of land for a
new Fire Station and Infant Health Centre in the area around
Memorial Park.

Social Value
The place has social values for the families who visited the
Health Nurse, and for those who served on the Infant Health
committee.

Representativeness
The Bridgetown Infant Health Centre (fmr) represents a cultural
phase in Western Australian history, whereby purpose built
Infant Health Clinics were constructed, with accommodation for
nursing staff, particularly in rural areas.
The building is a good representative example of the many
Infant Health Clinics designed by William Bennett, architect.

Physical Description

The Centre is typical of modest construction standards of the
early post-war era. Consistent with most inter-war and early
post-war Infant Health Clinics it generally has a domestic scale
and character, but with the addition of a large front porch, where
prams could be left during clinic visits.
The main façade is constructed of red face brick. The recessed
central porch is framed by paired brick columns, which support
a rendered lintel panel bearing the words ‘Bridgetown Infant
Health Clinic’ in stucco. The original timber and glass panelled
front doors and side light windows remain at the back of the
porch.
The rooms on either side of the main facade each have a bank
of three double hung sash windows, with soldier bricks above
the lintel and a projecting, raked brick sill.
The remainder of the exterior (sides and rear) is of jarrah
weatherboard (lower wall), with flush-panel fibrous cement
sheeting above. The former tiled roof has been reclad with red
Colorbond and the brick chimneys remain.
There have been modifications to some rooms internally,
however other than the replacement of the roof cladding, the
only external alteration was the 2007/2008 addition of a
verandah/decking to the rear, which created an undercover
parking area below

History

As a result of a conference held in April 1922, at the instigation
of the Children’s Protection Society, the Infant Health
Association of Western Australia was formed in 1923 to work in
conjunction with the Public Health Department. In that year,
three clinics with full time nurses began to operate in the Perth area and further clinics were built in both metropolitan and
regional areas through the inter-war era. However, it was not
until the late 1940s and early 1950s with the post-war baby
boom and increased immigration that the number of purposebuilt infant health centres increased rapidly.
The first Infant Health Centre for Bridgetown opened in 1940,
with Mrs E Rawson as Secretary. The premise it was in was sold
in 1945 and the clinic moved to ‘the room adjacent to Mr
Nelson’s Shop’. At that time Mr Nelson ran ‘Nelson’s Pharmacy
(B14)’, also known as ‘The Blackwood Pharmacy’.
The Bridgetown Advancement Policy Pool became incorporated
in 1945 and by 1948 they had completed purchases of all
parcels of land which now incorporate Memorial Park and the
lots in front of the parkland, facing Hampton Street, including the
future sites of the Bridgetown Fire Station and Infant Health
Centre. One of these parcels was donated to the Infant Health
Clinic Committee, although they subsequently requested that
their block of land be vested in the Road Board (later Shire of
Bridgetown).
In 1950 plans for a purpose built Infant Health Clinic were drawn
up by architectural firm William G Bennett & Associates. This
firm had designed the first model Infant Health Centre in Perth
in 1934. Bennett then served as an Honorary Architect for the
Infant Health Association until c.1958, during which time his firm
designed more than 40 clinics in metropolitan and regional WA
(including at least 26 in the first half of the 1950s).
Work did not begin on the Bridgetown Infant Health Clinic until
early 1953 and the building was officially opened on
17 September 1954 by Mr E Nulsen, Minister for Health.
The Centre included a consulting room at the front south eastern
corner of the building, a room behind with two test feeding
cubicles and a central waiting room. There was also a toileting
area for public use, with the remainder of the building consisting
of the Sister’s quarters; a large living space, a bedroom, kitchen,
laundry and bathroom.
Sometime between March 1991 and November 1992, the Clinic
moved into the additions at the rear of the Terminus building,
corner Roe and Steere Streets, to become a part of the family
centre. The Child Health Nurse moved out of the Hampton
Street ‘Sister’s quarters’ in December 1996, and the Shire
provided short term private leases for the building until selling it
to a private owner in 2003.
The current owner built a rear verandah and decking in late
2007/early 2008, also creating an understorey carpark. The
building continues to be used as a private residence with a
chiropractic clinic being run from the original consulting room.
The Infant Health Clinic Committee worked for many years,
establishing the Clinic, ensuring its staffing by an Infant Health
Sister (Nurse), a dedicated car for her to also visit weekly clinics
in nearby towns, government and other funding, and facilitating
the move to the new premises at the Terminus/Family Centre
and its overall ongoing functions.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity:
Moderate
Although the Child Health Clinic moved premises c.1991 the
building is still used for private medical purposes with residence.

Authenticity:
High
There have been few external changes. The only visible
alterations are the modern roof cladding and the rear
verandah/decking addition.

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.