Brown's Garage

Statement of Significance

Brown's Garage bas aesthetic, historic, Social and rarity CUltural heritage significance. Its prominent position on a 'Y' junction emphasises its unique design, reminiscent of small scale Chicagoesque architectural style. The garage is a fine example of the garages built in the Inter-War period when cars were becoming an increasingly popular mode of transport. lt is significant that this business has survived in one family, the Browns, for over 60 years within a suburban setting.

Physical Description

The garage is on a triangular corner block. It is a brick building with buttressed piers at approximately three metre centres. The original building was four bays. but this has been doubled to its length with the original detniling partially retained. The cornice moulding has been simplified. A later addition of the canopy has been rnodiflcd on various occasions. Entrance doors at Ute narrowest end are in the centre of hila wide windows. Further windows arc on either side. Changes to the business over the years has led to more specialised services and petrol is no longer served, (Pumps were removed in 1996,) The built fabric of the garage has also not changed a great deal except for minor aesthetic and practical changes. For many years the garage was painted mainly while with a blue top and red band at the base, Today the colours represent Repco. The interesting verandah used to have large cement columns but they took up a lot of room and were removed prior to 1962, replaced by the more practical steel support that is there today.

History

Brown's Garage has been part of tile Brown family since it was purchased in c 1934 by Arthur Brown. Recollections by Warren Brown (Arthurs son) include his father working long hours during the last hard years of the Depression. His father used to service Road Board vehicles as well as servicing cars ami selling petrol, The large windows in the front of the garage were used for the display of new cars which were also sold from these premises. Vehicles such as Hudsons. Standards. Vanguards. gogomobiJes and scooters were driven in through the back into the showroom for display. The business was extremely diverse as panel beating and sprav painting services were also offered. In 1943 Arthur Brown moved his family into 76 Bruce Street. a residence directly behind the garage. The house was purchased from Burt Emery, the former proprietor of the garage. Included on the residential property were two tennis courts which were well used by the Brown family. However, when they were no longer used the tennis courts served a dual purpose as a parking space for Masters Dairy trucks as Arthur Brown had the contract for servicing their vehicles. Another memory of Warren's includes the noise of the lighting plnm used by the fnmily 'to generate the business' electricity. Ai times during the W~lT the local supplv was unreliable hence the need for the power plant. but it had to be switched off at night because of the noise. In 1962 Arthur Brown died at the age of 58, Warren and older brother Allan took over the business in 1963. Allan stayed for two years but then left to begin his own business in electrical goods. Warren remained in the business for many years but now (1998) it is run by partners Geoff Mason and Ross Duncan. Ross started his apprenticeship in the business and has enjoyed the work enough to never leave.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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