Sutherland's Shop (fmr) and dwelling

Statement of Significance

Sutherland’s General Store and Tearoom, a single-storey timber framed, weatherboard clad and corrugated iron roofed shop and attached house, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: Within the City of Gosnells, it seems probable that Sutherland’s General Store and Tearoom is unique and is also rare in the Metropolitan Region as a surviving weatherboard 1920s store and dwelling; The place demonstrates the growth of Gosnells in the 1920’s as rail made the suburb affordable for commuters and the centrality of rail as a means of travel for residents of Gosnells from the 1920s onwards; and, The place has aesthetic interest as a simple vernacular shop and attached house, influenced by the Federation bungalow style constructed in timber frame, weatherboard cladding and corrugated steel roof.

Physical Description

Sutherland’s Shop and dwelling are located on the south western side of Wheatley Street and now forms the club house to the Croquet Club. The single storey timber framed building is clad with weatherboard and incorporates a hipped roof reclad with green Colorbond. The former shop projects forwards of the residence creating an asymmetric plan form to the façade. The former shop entry is symmetrical with paired windows with highlights either side of the entry door with stall board below. A skillion canopy projects from the main roof at a broken pitch over the verandah. The former residence is set back behind the shop with a single door entrance and a casement window set behind a further verandah, the canopy of which is the continuation of the main roof. An enclosed skillion roofed addition has been added to the east elevation with casement windows incorporated into the north and east walls. To the rear is a further verandah and enclosed sleep out. Within the grounds of the property are a well established Oak Tree and a large specimen of the Erythrina tree or Coral Bean Plant. Both trees are associated with the original occupants of the property. The Croquet Club’s grounds are enclosed by cyclone fencing to the dual street frontages. Trees are planted along the far boundaries of the site. The mature oak towering over the former shop contributes to the leafy character of the area.

History

This weatherboard house and attached shop was built c.1926 by F. L. Sutherland, believed to be Francis Layton Sutherland (c.1889-1962). Sutherland operated the business known as the Sutherland's Gosnells Store and Tearooms from 1927 to 1935. The business was advertised in the local press as being able to supply 'anything from a lifesaver to a mousetrap', including groceries, patent medicines, Brunswick Gramophones, and a wide range of cool drinks from the newly installed soda fountain. From 1936 to 1939 Alfred Bodycoat's mixed business was operating from the place. The land was subsequently transferred to Margaret F. Pages in 1942-43, and then to C. G. Thomas in November 1950. Two mixed business stores are listed in Wheatley Street in 1949: Frank Breakell’s and Diana’s Handy Store. It seems probable that one of these occupied the front room at Sutherland‘s General Store and Tearoom. In March 1955, George Krinks, Gosnells’ stationmaster in the 1940s and 1950s, purchased the site. In the Post Office Directories, Krinks is listed as residing in Wheatley Street since the 1940s, and it is possible he leased the residence behind the shop front before purchasing the building. It seems likely that the front of the building continued to operate as a mixed business until the mid-1950s. Following 1954, a number of hairdressers operated from the premises. Between 1970 and 1978, Mrs Gloria Dear operated the front of Sutherland’s General Store and Tearoom as a hairdresser. Mrs Dear recalls George Krinks continuing to live in the residence behind the shop front until his death in June 1976. The property was acquired by the then Town of Gosnells in 1976 and on 1 July 1977 the Croquet Club was relocated to its present site on Wheatley Street adjacent to Sutherland's Store. The former residence portion of the property has been used by the Croquet Club as a clubhouse since 1977. The front shop continued to be used as commercial premises and by the early 1980s the place was known as 'Patches Craft Shop' which operated until 1985 and in the late 1980s it housed the local women's refuge.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate degree Authenticity: High degree

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update