Separovich House

Statement of Significance

Separovich House is representative of the contribution made to settlement in Spearwood by people from Yugoslavia.

Physical Description

This home has been described as colonial style. It was originally set well back off the road on a 5 acre block of land. Today it is quite close to Rockingham Road and on either side of it are homes with contemporary styles of architecture. The materials used in the construction of this home included limestone for the foundations which was trenched from the property. Local jarrah and sawn limestone were used for the external walls. The limestone walls are 14 inches thick. The same stone was supplied from a limestone quarry in nearby Beaconsfield. “State” clay bricks were used for the internal walls. The pitching and roofing of the home was undertaken by Wright and Sons of East Fremantle using terracotta tiles. The roofing tiles were supplied by Brisbane and Wonderlich of Midland. The plumbing was installed by William Taylor of Spearwood. The house has a large front verandah with a brick and limestone balustrade. The facade of the house features a large timbered gable. The internal features of the home include; three bedrooms approximately 4x5 metres, a lounge, a large combined kitchen and dining area; laundry and bathroom. The house has a central dividing corridor. Another internal feature is an arch with stained glass in the corridor. All the floors in the house are jarrah. Externally all the windows are of “bulleye leadlight" design. Tuckpointing is also a feature of this colonial home.

History

The Separovich family history in WA started with the arrival of Jerko who came to Australia to seek work. He at first went to the goldfields. He was invited to Spearwood by Ante Zuvela who encouraged him to look for work in the building trade. Jerko (Jeri), using his trade as a stonemason, was successful in gaining work and then buying a five acre block on Rockingham Road for approximately £420. Working during the day on building sites in Fremantle he had only the evenings to clear his block of land. In 1927 he was joined by his oldest son, followed by his wife and two other children. The family lived in a small weatherboard home on their Spearwood block until the more substantial home was completed in 1937. Separovich House was built for Jerko and Mara Separovich and their family. Jerko and his eldest son George were responsible for building most of the house. The construction of the home commenced in 1932 but was not completed until 1937. Building was interrupted by the Depression as were many projects during this time. The limestone was obtained at Beaconsfield from a quarry owned by two well known Cockburn residents Ante Zuvela and Spiro Novak. Shortly after the completion of the home an addition of a verandah at the rear was made. This was completed in 1938.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY: High AUTHENTICITY: Original building not visible from street

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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