Hammond Park Rotunda

Statement of Significance

Victoria Park Rotunda is a well proportioned and pleasing structure enhanced by a unique onion dome with a spire and crescent moon raised above the roof apex. The dome is Victorian in origin but probably inspired by Moslem architecture. The structure is further enhanced by its decorative cast-iron frieze, timber arches and infill, and columns that give the structure a light filigree character. (Criterion 1.1) The place has historic value as an important cultural and social meeting place for locals. (Criterion 2.1) Victoria Park Rotunda has a high social value as an important cultural and social meeting place for Kalgoorlie residents and as a former focal point for local entertainment. Victoria Park Rotunda is one of the largest rotundas of its type in Western Australia. (Criterion 5.1) Victoria Park Rotunda is representative of the important role such a focal point played in the social life of the goldfields' community during the early years of this century. (Criterion 6.2) Statement of Significance: Victoria Park Rotunda, a timber framed rotunda, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: - as an important cultural and social meeting place for Kalgoorlie residents and as a former focal point for local entertainment, the place has a high social value; - it is one of the largest rotundas of its type in Western Australia; and, - it is a well proportioned and pleasing rotunda enhanced by a unique onion dome with a spire and crescent moon raised above the roof apex, a decorative cast-iron frieze, timber arches and infill, and columns that give the structure a light filigree character.

Physical Description

Victoria Park Rotunda is a rotunda within the grounds of the Homes for Frail Aged at the south-east end of Victoria Street between Croesus Street and Outridge Terrace, Kalgoorlie. The park is approached by a bituminised vehicular driveway from Croesus Street. The rotunda is set toward the Outridge Terrace boundary and is not easily seen from Croesus Street. A large tree in front of the rotunda restricts the vistas. The driveway veers north, away from the rotunda to a small carpark in front of the Homes for Frail Aged. The carpark and rotunda are separated by lawn. Neither signage or a path links the carpark to the rotunda. The rotunda and park are separated from the grounds of the Homes for Frail Aged by a wire mesh fence. The rotunda is surrounded by gravel with a small rose garden on the south and a small garden bed with native plantings on the north. A row of established trees partially screens the sheet metal fence behind the rotunda on the Outridge Terrace boundary. The fence destroys the vistas to the rotunda from Outridge Terrace. A super six fence extends along the south boundary. Neither fences reflects the character of the rotunda. The rotunda is octagonal-shaped in plan with an octagonal roof that measures 24 metres in diameter. The roof is crowned with an onion dome erected on a polygonal base of decorative cast iron. A spire with a crescent moon at the top decorates the dome. The spire and moon motif can be seen above the boundary fence from Outridge Terrace. The dome is Victorian in origin but inspired by Islamic architecture (onion domes are common in Eastern Europe and Russia. The use of chatris, umbrella-shaped domes found in Hindu architecture, and hybrids were common in British India, particularly in Madras, Bombay and Mysore. There are few examples in England; Royal Pavilion in Brighton, England (1818) is a confection of Islamic domes, minarets and screens). The crescent moon is a Moslem emblem. The structure is supported at its perimeter by stop-chamfered timber posts with capitals, and intermediary supports of stop-chamfered timber posts on tapering timber piers. The intermediary supports form a central section that measures 14 metres across. The roof structure is a system of radiating rafters, king post and timber ties. A structural addition was made with steel ties at a lower level. The intermediary posts are braced by pointed timber arches with an infill of vertical timber slats. The roof is covered with corrugated galvanised iron and the dome is built of sheet metal. The underside of the roof is decorated by a cast-iron frieze and decorative cast iron brackets to each post. Physical evidence remains of a square profiled timber handrail that ran between the intermediary row of posts. This handrail is the remains of the bandstand in the centre of the rotunda that was raised one or two steps so that the band was above the audience. The roof construction of the rotunda is exposed and the floor of the central section of the rotunda is concrete. The structure is in a dilapidated state requiring urgent maintenance. The roofing, the timber structure, and the water drainage system are all in need of conservation or replacing. The cast-iron frieze is also dilapidated. Sections of the frieze are missing and sections are loose. The frieze requires restoration before more damage or loss occurs. In 1906, the park and gardens were extensive with established trees, garden beds and pathways (see photograph 12 in Richards and Richards, 1981). By 1909, a timber rail fence encircled the rotunda and inside, timber seats were positioned toward the rotunda as if to face a performance (see photograph 14 in Richards and Richards, 1981). The fence and seats are no longer extant. Four new timber park benches now face the rotunda. In 1910, a public drinking fountain was erected in the park. The drinking fountain was a gift from Mr Eli Shaw to the ratepayers as a momento of the commonwealth celebrations. The four metre tall fountain was imported from London. The fountain had a tall lamp on top of the basin which was mounted on an octagonal pedestal (see photograph 19 in Richards and Richards, 1981). The fountain is also no longer extant (City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder files did not reveal what happened to the fountain). Photographic evidence shows arches in the park which were covered with creepers (see photograph 23 in Richards and Richards, 1981). As of March 1995, there are no arches remaining in the park. The date the arches were removed is unknown, but it is believed that they were present when the Little Sisters of the Poor were granted ownership of Victoria Park. Small fountains, a wishing well, timber seats and litter bins positioned around the park existed in 1950 (see photographs 25 and 26 in Richards and Richards, 1981). Some of the mature trees and plantings, the wishing well, small fountain, litter bins, arches and the drinking fountain no longer exist (the wishing well was relocated to Hammond Park in Lyall Street, Kalgoorlie). The park has lost its formal arrangement and the garden has deteriorated from either a result of natural ageing or from the effects of changed social and economic conditions. The park's previous structures are no longer evident. The gardens may reveal more to an archaeologist or a landscape architect.

History

Victoria Park is a well established park, now located in the grounds of the property of the Catholic Order of the Little Sisters of the Poor. Victoria Park was originally created as a public park, and was one of only two parks laid out in a formal design in Kalgoorlie. The other park was King Edward Park located between Collins and Bourke Streets, east of Parsons Street. It is believed that King Edward Park also contained a small rotunda. The site of King Edward Park is now occupied by a pre-primary school on the Bourke Street side, and an Aged Persons Unit Development on the Collins Street side (Reid, 1986: 31). Goldfields historians M. and A. Webb note that in Kalgoorlie the grassing and planting of trees in parks was an indication of civic pride and confidence in their future (Webb, 1993: 585). With the construction of the rotunda, Victoria Park became a focal point in Kalgoorlie for outdoor social gatherings. The Municipality of Kalgoorlie commissioned the construction of the rotunda (known as the 'band pavilion') for a cost of £300 (including a £100 grant given earlier by the state government for improvements for the Victoria Park Reserve). The tender was awarded to the only tenderer, Edward Sears, for £279/10/-. Mr Sears was given four months in which to complete the work, however it took him less than three months. Mayor Norbert Keenan officially opened the rotunda on 5 November 1903. The Western Argus reported on the opening of the rotunda: "Friday night's weather was distinctly favourable so there was a big attendance at Victoria Park at the formal opening of the fine new band stand built there to the order of the Kalgoorlie Town Council. The formal opening was performed in well chosen and heartily applauded words by the Mayor, Mr Keenan, who indicated that the municipal authorities desired to help the citizens to enjoy healthy recreation and pleasure. An excellent programme of music, well played, was presented to the gratification of the large gathering. The Kalgoorlie Brass Band, under the direction of Mr A. Grieve, whose capabilities as conductor are being proved in the progress made by the band. In future, the band will occupy the Victoria Park Rotunda on Sunday Evenings, to entertain the many people who will doubtless attend during the summer season, with very high class music" (Western Argus, 10 November 1903: 16). The construction of the rotunda provided a venue for musical performances and Victoria Park became a popular place for family gatherings and picnics while listening to music recitals. Webb notes: "Victoria Park was a showplace and on a Sunday from 1904 onwards the Kalgoorlie brass band held well attended open air concerts beneath its rotunda. Attendances could be as high as 3,000 people" (Webb, 1993: 585). In 1972 access to, and the function of, Victoria Park changed when the land became the property of the Catholic Order of the Little Sisters of the Poor. An aged persons home, hospital and chapel have been constructed on what was once park land. Although the public are still able to use Victoria Park and the rotunda, it is no longer the focal park in Kalgoorlie, this role having been taken over by Hammond Park.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High

Condition

Dilapidated

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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