Slab Cottage Group, Quindalup

Statement of Significance

The materials used in the construction of the Government Building and the barn, have, over many decades of exposure to the elements, developed a mellow appearance which harmonises with the colours and textures of the natural landscape. This patina that the old buildings have acquired, in combination with their slightly decayed appearance and rural setting, give the place rustic quality. The vernacular form of the cottage with its symmetrical façade, minimal ornamentation, spreading hipped roof and prominent verandah, is demonstrative of the colonial approach to the design of common domestic housing. The aesthetic of the cottage, kitchen, government building and barn are significant as individual components and for the character of the collective cultural environment formed by those places. Slab Cottage Group is important for its association with the Quindalup mill which was one of the first ventures of this kind in the colony, and played an important part in the economic development of the state. The buildings are vestiges of the settlement which grew up around the first timber mill and the jetty at Quindalup, the focus of which later shifted inland to the location of the second timber mill. Slab Cottage Group played a significant role in the history of Quindalup. Evidence suggests that, in the settlement’s early years, the outbuildings may have been used as a bond store and a lock-up. Later, from 1923 through to 1966, the district’s post office and telephone exchange were based on the property. Slab Cottage Group is closely associated with the Harwood family who are believed to have occupied the property for around 100 years. John Harwood (b.1840) and his wife were among the earliest settlers in the Quindalup area, and several generations of the family members were active within the local community. John Harwood (b.1840) is thought to have taught at the school on the adjoining property, William Harwood (b. 1870) was a member of the Quindalup Social Club in the 1930s, and from 1923 through to 1966 members of the Harwood family operated the district’s post office and telephone exchange. The site contains substantial evidence of material culture, including both building fabric and archaeological material, which could usefully inform the study of European settlement in Western Australia. The three oldest buildings have potential, through research and teaching use, to yield information about and promote understanding of a range of 19th century vernacular building techniques. Archaeological material on the site, specifically the 19th and early 20th century ceramics and glassware evident in the vicinity of the cottage, has potential to inform research into domestic life of the rural working class during an early period of settlement. Slab Cottage Group is one of a number of historic sites in Quindalup that are valued by local residents because they provide a tangible link to past events in the district, particularly the time when there was a sizeable population at Quindalup. Many landmarks relating to this period of Quindalup’s history have now disappeared, making Slab Cottage Group one of the key sites which provides the district with a sense of place.

Physical Description

Slab Cottage comprises a split timber slab and weatherboard cottage, a freestanding weatherboard kitchen, a three room limestone and iron building (known as the government building) and a three sided rubble limestone barn. The Slab Cottage has a plain, unadorned and symmetrical façade topped by a spreading hipped roof. It is designed in Colonial style with a prominent front verandah. The patina of age that has accumulated on the exterior of the barn and Government Building contributes to a rich layering of colours and texture that not only speaks of the buildings’ age but merges well with the surroundings.

History

Harwood’s cottage is located on a portion of the property that was originally known as Inlet Villa. The group of buildings form part of the original Quindalup town site which was the hub of a thriving timber industry from the mid to late 1800’s. Timber was exported from a jetty opposite Inlet Villa, linked to a horse drawn wooden tramway that speared inland to the mills, established by Henry Yelverton. His first mill was built near the beach at Molloy’s Ditch, just east of Inlet Villa. The patriarch of the Quindalup Harwoods, William, who was born in 1809, came to Western Australia from England in 1830. He died in 1894 and is buried in Pioneer Cemetery in Busselton. His son John is the first listed owner of Inlet Villa. The cottage, and the other historical buildings – the timber kitchen and limestone government building and barn – are thought to be circa 1860s, though some of the buildings may have been erected earlier. The buildings were closely associated with the growth of the timber industry and the Quindalup jetty. Early evidence shows that the outbuildings were used as a bond store and a lock‐up. John Harwood was the first of four generations of Harwoods who occupied the property for more then a century. John Harwood had a number of occupations, including the harbour master and manager of the shore station for Henry Yelverton. John, and wife Mary, who was a descendent of Elijia Dawson, a Battle of Trafalga veteran and one of the first settlers in Vasse, had nine children. Their eldest son, Bill, married to Laura Payne, who was married to one of the region’s pioneering families. Laura ran the Quindalup post office when it was shifted to the property in 1923. Dorothy took over when she married Ron in 1942 and operated it for just on 25 years, until its demise in 1966. They had five boys who were the last generation of Harwoods to live on the property. When the post office closed Ron and Dorothy sold up and moved to Busselton. John Harwood was the first of four generations of Harwoods who occupied the property for more then a century. The cottage was erected on a 40 acre farm, which was subdivided into three lots of approximate size in 1986 by Norma’s parents, Ken and Blanche Albrey. John Harwood had a number of occupations and was the harbour master and manager of the shore station for Henry Yelverton. John, and wife Mary, who was a descendent of Elijia Dawson, a Battle of Trafalga veteran and one of the first settlers in Vasse, had nine children. Their eldest son, Bill, married to Laura Payne, who was married to one of the region’s pioneering families. Laura ran the Quindalup post office when it was shifted to the property in 1923. Dorothy took over when she married Ron Harwood in 1942 and operated it for just on 25 years, until its demise in 1966. They had five boys who were the last generation of Harwoods to live on the property. When the post office closed Ron and Dorothy sold up and moved to Busselton. In 1976, the property was transferred to new owners who were local dairy farmers and after some years of decline the original buildings have been restored and now function as a café, accommodation and a small museum. In c2000, the place was which was subdivided into three lots of approximate size in 1986 by Norma’s parents, Ken and Blanche Albrey.

Archaeology

The place contains potential archaeological findings that may shed light on the early domestic ways of the rural working class, in particular European settlers of the 19th century. Some of the artefacts include 19th and early 20th century ceramics and glassware in close proximity to the cottage.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Degre/Moderate Degree Integrity Notes: The Slab Cottage retains a high degree of integrity despite some changes to the western perimeter rooms. The kitchen building is in poor condition. The government building and barn are also in poor condition. The roof is also in poor condition due to neglect. Authenticity Notes: The place retains a moderate degree of authenticity, as although most of the original fabric remains intact with the finishes in deteriorated state, there have been considerable alterations to the building. The internal linings of the western rooms, weatherboards on the eastern side and corrugated iron roof were replaced. The ground level at the front of the cottage has been lowered, window sashes reconstructed and new electrical connections installed.

Condition

The place is in good condition, undergoing restoration and conversion into a café in 2000.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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