Memorial House and Coronation Rose Garden, Bruce Rock

Author

Shire of Bruce Rock

Place Number

10644

Location

35 Dunstal St Bruce Rock

Location Details

Cnr Dunstal and Butcher Sts

Other Name(s)

Bruce Rock War Memorial Hospital
Frail Aged Lodge/ Facility/ Home
Memorial House

Local Government

Bruce Rock

Region

Wheatbelt

Construction Date

Constructed from 1952, Constructed from 1922

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
State Register Registered 05 Jun 2020 HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Statewide War Memorial Survey Completed 01 May 1996
Municipal Inventory Adopted 11 Sep 1997 Category 1

Statement of Significance

The place repesents associations with the establishment and continued development of the hospital, medical and health facilities and persons involved in those services. The place is a fine example of a regional hospital of the period and makes a significant contribution to the townscape and character of Bruce Rock.

Physical Description

The brick construction is surrounded by verandahs. The brick walls are face brick to dado height, with roughcast render for the remainder walls. The corrugated iron roof is hipped. In 1852 a verandah between wards to the theatre, ward to the kitchen and ablutions was enclosed as a ward.

History

Since the First World War, the idea of a memorial in the form of a hospital was mooted by the Roads Board Memberswho donated 65 pounds and called for community subscriptions, with the Government donating 750 pounds. The first nurses were posted to Bruce Rock in 1918, followed by Dr Noel Brown in 1920. On the 19th August 1922 the former Colonial Secretary, WT Broun, laid the foundation stone.The hospital was opened by the Premier Sir James Mitchell on the 18th November 1922. A Hospital Board was appointed and Dr A Bean was the resident doctor from 1921 until 1930. By 1940 Dr H Illingworth was at loggerheads with the hospital staff and the board, patronage disappeared and in 1941 the hospital closed. A new Board re-opened the hospital. By 1952 a new operating theatre and general ward were constructed and in 1953 a coronation rose garden of 9 dozen roses commemorated the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. In 1968 a new hospital facility was built and the Medical Department proposed demolition of the original hospital, which has since been converted into an aged care hostel.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact or Redeemable Authenticity: High Degree

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
A Lovell;"Bruce Rock, A Revised History". Bruce Rock Shire Council 1993
Jk Ewers;"Bruce Rock, the story of a District". pp83,87 Bruce Rock District Roads Board 1959

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use MONUMENT\CEMETERY Monument
Original Use HEALTH Hospital
Present Use HEALTH Housing or Quarters

Architectural Styles

Style
Inter-War California Bungalow

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall BRICK Common Brick
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron

Historic Themes

General Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Community services & utilities
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES World Wars & other wars
OCCUPATIONS Commercial & service industries

Creation Date

24 Feb 1998

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

10 Jun 2020

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.