Corunna Downs Station & Former Wartime Airbase

Author

Shire of East Pilbara

Place Number

03695

Location

Salgash Corunna Downs Rd East Pilbara

Location Details

Approx 40kms south of Marble Bar

Other Name(s)

Brockman's Station (1890s)

Local Government

East Pilbara

Region

Pilbara

Construction Date

Constructed from 1897, Constructed from 1942

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
State Register Registered 30 Mar 2007 HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Classified by the National Trust Classified 07 Jun 1983
Register of the National Estate Nominated 15 Oct 1984
Register of the National Estate Indicative Place

Child Places

  • 14200 Corunna Downs Wartime Air Base
  • 24460 Corunna Downs Station

Statement of Significance

Comnna Downs Homestead (1897) has aesthetic and historic significance. It demonstrates a distinctive way of life in the Pilbara. and has scarcity value. The house, built of 'anthill' brick and granite, was distinguished among north-west station homes for its comfort and modern equipment. It was built with a view to permanency and comfort and has survived. It is a tribute to its builders, the Drake-Brockman family, who had pioneered the station property in 1890. and established a lifestyle of homes and gardens in a manner unexpected in the early days of the inland Pilbara. Comma Downs Homestead group has been classified by the National Trust, and is on the Register of the National Estate.

Physical Description

The setting of Comnna Downs Station is mainly undulating plain surrounded by hills which make a good natural boundary. This homestead site was chosen in 1897 following several previous unsatisfactory sites. The homestead is a complex of buildings dating from this time.." The original one being constructed of local 'anthill' brick and granite, with foundations of granite. ...A most comfortable habitation of the semibungalow type". Another homestead, built in 1903 and many outbuildings added over the years make up the present complex (kitchen, laundry and kitchen block, butcher's shop, workshop, spinifex bough sheds etc). Date palms are relics from its previous splendid gardens.

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
"The History of the North West of Australia". pp.193-196 Battye 1915
K Mallett; "To the Bar Bonded". 1992

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
11951 Black Swans over Java Book 2021
7211 Images CD No. 36 : assessment images : Church of St Mary Star of the Sea Group, Carnarvon; Poinciana House, Marble Bar; Corunna Downs Station & Wartime Airbase; Gascoyne Research Station, Carnarvon. C D Rom 2004

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Other Use MILITARY Other
Other Use Transport\Communications Air: Other
Present Use FARMING\PASTORAL Homestead
Original Use FARMING\PASTORAL Homestead

Architectural Styles

Style
Federation Bungalow

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall CONCRETE Other Concrete
Wall EARTH Other Earth
Wall METAL Corrugated Iron
Wall STONE Granite
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron

Historic Themes

General Specific
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY Workers {incl. Aboriginal, convict}
OCCUPATIONS Grazing, pastoralism & dairying
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES World Wars & other wars

Creation Date

24 Jul 1995

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Retired

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.