Rural Medical Centre

Statement of Significance

Rural Medical Centre has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: - The place is a finely detailed building with strong aesthetic appeal. It displays a high degree of excellence in design. It is also of interest for its German design and prefabrication. - Though prefabricated buildings had been used since the earliest days of the Australian colonies, the Brown Hill Mine Laboratory proved to be a construction type that was very well suited to Australian conditions. The inclusion of an entirely new set of laboratories and testing works as part of the mill was said to be an innovative concept at the time of its construction in 1900. - The Brown Hill Mine Laboratory's method of construction is quite unusual in the Australian context and a thorough study of the building and its detailing would be instructive in the context of the history of building technology in Australia. - The former Brown Hill Mine Laboratory is a rare type. Its rarity derives from the fact that it was an imported building and is one of a small number of surviving early prefabricated building structures in Western Australia. Its elevated roof extending well beyond the top of the walls of the main building to serve as a breezeway is also unusual. - The building is representative of prefabricated construction and of a purpose designed mine laboratory. - The place has historic value for its association with the owners and operators of the Brown Hill Mine, as well as those who operated the Commonwealth Health Laboratory and the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital.

Physical Description

The former Brown Hill Mine Laboratory is a simply expressed twin roof building from the Federation period, which employs classically derived proportions and even details, such as acroteria, as a means of expression. The building is timber framed and weatherboard clad (spruce, from the Black Forest in Germany) with a corrugated galvanised iron covered roof and timber floors throughout. The roof is elevated high above the ceiling of the main structure and extends to cover encircling verandahs, to form a breezeway to cool the interior. The roof features carved gable ends. The front and part of the side verandah have been enclosed. These additions could easily be removed.

History

The building was designed and fabricated in Germany, shipped to Australia, and erected in 1900 on the Brown Hill Mining Lease as an assay office. It was moved to its present site after purchase by the Commonwealth Government in 1927 where it served as a Public Health Laboratory under Commonwealth control until June 1982. The place reverted to State Government control until November 1984. Since 1986, the place has been used for activities associated with the Kalgoorlie Hospital.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: Moderate to High

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

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