Moyola

Values

· The place has aesthetic value as a substantial, well constructed two storey residence in the Inter War Old English style. It is set within extensive terraced, landscaped gardens.
· The place has some scientific value due to the retention of many original plant species in the gardens.
· The place is rare as an Inter War Old English style residence located in a rural area.
· The place was constructed by Gerry Randle who owned Bridgetown’s electrical plant prior to SEC supply.

Physical Description

Moyola consists of large residence, garage and landscaped gardens, sited on the south side of a steep hill approximately 2km east of the SW Highway/Hampton Street, in Bridgetown. The site, bound by Turner Road to the south and adjacent town lots to the north, west and east, is accessed via a long circular drive that winds up the hill through partially terraced landscaped gardens to a gravelled forecourt on the south side of Moyola and a separate garage to the northeast. Moyola is a two storey stone and stud-framed structure featuring a picturesque tiled roof-scape with steep battened gables, dormer windows and tall projecting chimneys. The second floor is contained within the roof space. A large porch and verandah with feature patterned brickwork, is contained within the southeast portion of the roof, and supported by masonry piers. The rear (north) portion of the building is constructed of decorative moulded concrete blocks. The timber frame garage is constructed with the same gabled form and detailing.

History

The period 1914 to 1945 was characterised by various attempts to encourage settlement of the south west of Western Australia. The most significant of these schemes was the Group Settlement Scheme of the 1920s devised by Premier James Mitchell. The scheme was also devised as a means of assisting Britain by providing a livelihood for migrants in the period following World War I. The scheme was agreed in Bridgetown by the Premier James Mitchell, Prime Minister WM Hughes and Senators Lynch and Gregory in 1921. In 1923 the first group settlers began to arrive in the area between Bridgetown and Manjimup. In the following few years numerous groups arrived in the region and numerous settlements developed. Despite the large numbers of settlers involved, the Group Settlement Scheme was largely a failure. The settlers were inexperienced in agriculture and ill-equipped for the hardships of first clearing and then cultivating the forest region. By the 1930s large numbers of them had abandoned their bush blocks and returned to the city. During the 1930s the area felt the effects of the Depression when world prices for primary produce collapsed and many struggling settlers were forced off their land. Others survived this period by diversifying their farms or businesses. The town of Bridgetown developed gradually during this period. In 1917 the Public Works Department provided scheme water for the town using water from the Hester Dam constructed in 1916 primarily for railway use. The dams resources proved inadequate and the town suffered water restrictions for a number of years. Electric power was supplied to Bridgetown in 1924 and to Greenbushes in 1933. Moyola was built by Gerry Randle who owned Bridgetown’s electrical plant prior to SEC supply.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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