Memorial Rose Garden, Bassendean

Values

• Memorial Rose Garden, Bassendean is a landmark within the town of Bassendean, and together with the 1929 entrance gates of the Bassendean Oval provides visual amenity to the town.
• Memorial Rose Garden, Bassendean is a continuous and extant example of a community’s living memorial and contributes to the Town of Bassendean’s sense of place as a visible reminder and commemoration of the sacrifice made by those who fought in World War II.
• Memorial Rose Garden, Bassendean has associations with the National Rose Society, in particular the secretary Mr Douglas (Fred) Jackson who was a member of the Bassendean Road Board, and a life member of the Bassendean and Districts Horticultural Society.

Statement of Significance

Memorial Rose Garden, Bassendean is a landmark within the town of Bassendean, and together with the 1929 entrance gates of the Bassendean Oval provides visual amenity to the town. Memorial Rose Garden, Bassendean is a continuous and extant example of a community’s living memorial and contributes to the Town of Bassendean’s sense of place as a visible reminder and commemoration of the sacrifice made by those who fought in World War II. Memorial Rose Garden, Bassendean has associations with the National Rose Society, in particular the secretary Mr Douglas (Fred) Jackson who was a member of the Bassendean Road Board, and a life member of the Bassendean and Districts Horticultural Society.

Physical Description

Memorial Rose Garden, Bassendean is located on the southwest corner of the Bassendean Oval Reserve, at the corner of West Road and Old Perth Road, in front of the Bassendean Oval Memorial Gates. The place forms the brick paved and grassed forecourt area containing two memorial rose beds, a portion of which is located within the curtilage of Registered Place P7403 Bassendean Oval (RHP). The two oval shaped rose garden beds contain 60 rose bushes in each (class Polyanthus). Surrounded by a low limestone wall, they are divided by paving and the central location of the Memorial Plaque. The brass plaque reads ‘Their Name Liveth For Evermore’ and is set on a low stone which is located in a grassed area equidistant from the rose beds, in front of the Entrance Gates. A portion of each rosebed and the entire plaque is included within the curtilage of P7403 Bassendean Oval (RHP).

History

In 1922, the suburb of West Guildford voted to change its name to Bassendean. P7403 Bassendean Oval was officially opened in 1929 with the main entrance gate located at the intersection of (what is now known as) West Road and Old Perth Road. In 1939 to 1945, the State once again lost a considerable number of men and some women to World War II. During the Second World War, P7403 Bassendean Oval was utilised by the Department of the Army, who incorporated the stands as their headquarters. In 1946, the National Rose Society proposed the planting of roses as a memorial to fallen soldiers from World War ll. The suggestion was adopted by the Bassendean Road Board in April, and the location in front of the Bassendean Oval was chosen. By July, it was agreed that 150 rose bushes would be planted the following year, with phlox and petunias to be planted in the meantime. By October 1947, the plantings had been completed and the Road Board agreed that sprinklers were to be installed. By 1950, the Memorial Rose Garden, Bassendean was the site of a demonstration of rose pruning, with reference to the opportunity being a regular event. Memorial Rose Garden, Bassendean has continued to be maintained in the same location since its establishment.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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