House

Statement of Significance

The place at 60 Grey Street has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place was the original residence of William Finlay who was Albany’s first Mayor and who died in his house in 1886 while still in office. The place is representative of the earlier phase of residential development in Albany’s historic town centre.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Rendered and painted brick construction • Projecting wing with gable • Decorative timber barge board and finial • Brocken back verandah across front elevation – in two sections – with timber posts and frieze • Timber window frames • Painted window architraves • Three painted chimneys with pots Some obvious modifications include: • Tiled roof replaced original corrugated iron roof • Skillion verandah roof replacing former bull nosed verandah (which was not an original feature) • Former painted low brick wall altered – rendered and timber picket infill • Self contained flat at western end of house

History

The place is originally associated with William Finlay. Finlay came to Western Australia in 1850, then 10 years old and when he was 18 he joined the police force. Through the 1860s, Finlay came to Albany periodically with the police, and in 1865 he purchased land in Albany being Lot 134 which was originally Short Street but later would be renamed Grey Street. In 1869, after rising up the ranks, Finlay was put in charge of the Albany police and he and his family permanently moved to Albany. It was then he reputedly built the house on his land in Short Street. There is evidence of a disused well in the backyard which would date back to the building of the house in 1860s. Finlay has been credited with establishing the Rifle Volunteer Corps with Finlay made Captain in command. He was also strongly linked to the local masons - the Plantagenet Lodge - serving as Worshipful Master and often called Father of the Lodge. He served on the local road board as a councillor, Chairman and in November 1885 he was elected as Albany’s first Mayor. On Wednesday 16th June 1886 Finlay died at his home in Short Street. He was still the incumbent Mayor of Albany at the time. Finlay Street was later named in his honour. In 1923 the property transferred to Edward Balston. Interesting as a connection to Finlay, Balston was also Mayor of Albany serving from 1921-1924. He was also a well-known figure as a shipping agent when Albany was the major port for the State. However, Balston did not keep the property for long as within a few months it was transferred to Frederick Lloyd Williams. Other owners have been Clutterbuck and Mitchell and then in 1950 it was purchased by the Butlers, who still owned the property in 1994 (Mrs Ivy Butler).

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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