Lady Campion Hostel (fmr)

Statement of Significance

• Lady Campion Hostel (fmr) is a fine building that displays some elements of the Californian Bungalow style. • Lady Campion Hostel (fmr) has strong links with the Bush Nursing Society which was developed to serve the needs of World War I veterans, and in particular their wives, in country areas. The Society and the Bush Nursing Trust were directly responsible for the construction of the Hostel as they provided the necessary funds and the administrative structure to ensure the Hostel's ongoing operation. • Lady Campion Hostel (fmr) is closely associated with the Group Settlement Scheme as it was constructed to serve the needs of the various Groups that were located close to Busselton. The provision of hostels by the Bush Nursing Society allowed pregnant women from these areas to travel to proper medical facilities prior to the onset of labour rather than during, thereby alleviating some of the risks to mother and child. • The construction of the Lady Campion Hostel (fmr), and other similar hostels, represents the push by the nursing fraternity to provide similar medical facilities for country women during their pregnancies as that enjoyed by their city cousins. Prior to the construction of the hostels, country women were forced to remain at home during childbirth as there were either no hospital facilities nearby or it was not possible to reach a hospital in time. The construction of the hostels provided country women with the option of accessing proper medical facilities where previously none had existed. • Lady Campion Hostel (fmr) is of historical importance as it represents the contribution made by the British Red Cross to World War I veterans and their dependants who resided in rural Australia. • Lady Campion Hostel (fmr) contributes to the Busselton community's sense of place through its role as a hostel for expectant mothers. By having the use of the type of facility, countrywomen were able to make a choice between coming into town early to await the birth of their child or waiting until the last minute. Once the building was no longer required for this type of accommodation, it continued its role in the health and welfare of the Busselton community when it was briefly occupied by the Infant Health Centre

Physical Description

The brick and iron building is single storey with verandahs to the front and sides. Stylistically, it is best defined as Interwar Californian Bungalow, although it only displays a few elements of this design style. Two chimney stacks are visible above the line of the gable roof. The pebble dash stacks are surmounted by a simple brickwork pattern. The building is set back on the block, with a large expanse of lawn at the front. A bitumen drive runs down the western side of the block providing access to a rear parking lot. The front facade (which faces south) presents with a deep verandah dominated by a prominent gable with is decorated with pebble dash, battens and a central ventilator grill. The timber verandah valance is decorated with open timber fretwork to the two outside bays, while the central bay is stepped. The verandah floor is concrete and the bases of the chamfered timber verandah posts are set in metal stirrups. The side verandah roofs are formed by the broken pitch of the main roof, while the front has a skillion roof. The front door is centrally placed, with two narrow, fixed windows either side and a set of french doors placed on the far sides of these windows. All of the doors have fanlights. The upper sections of the narrow windows are fitted with air conditioning units. The windows in the hostel are timber framed double-hung sashes, with the upper sash divided into six panes. All of the windows and doors have rendered sills and lintels. The eastern verandah has been enclosed with hardiflex sheets to the sides and front and brick on the rear wall. The windows in this section are modern, timber construction with sliding timber frames. A new brick addition has also been added to the rear of the building.

History

Lady Campion Hostel (fmr) was built by the Bush Nursing Society in 1926 to accommodate expectant mothers. Its location was chosen as it was close to Busselton Hospital. In 1920, the British Red Cross made a grant of £150,000 to the Australian Government that was to be divided equally between the States. Its primary purpose was for the establishment of Bush Nursing services in country areas, particularly for the benefit of returned veterans and their dependants. In September 1923, the Society received a request from Group Settlement No. 48 for a maternity hospital in Busselton which would serve the various Groups in the area. Nearly a year later, Busselton’s medical officer, Dr. Atkinson, wrote requesting assistance in providing a rest home for expectant mothers in Busselton. Block 45, which was close to Busselton Hospital, was granted by the Government for the purposes of building a hostel for expectant mothers, architect Mr. W.G. Pickering was requested to prepare plans for a building which was to cost no more than £1,200. By February, Pickering had submitted the plans and called for tenders. The building was completed by September 1926 and it was decided to name the hostel after the Governor’s wife, Lady Campion. The opening was set for the 23 October 1926. Lady Campion was unable to attend so the building was opened by Premier Collier. The first proposal to close the Hostel came in 1937, as the building was only being used occasionally. This falling off in occupancy appears to have been due to two factors: the construction of a hospital and hostel at Margaret River and improvements in transportation. By March 1947, only 14 guests had stayed in the hostel over the preceding twelve months and it was decided to sell the hostel and land. Lady Campion Hostel (fmr) was valued at £1,230 and sold to the Busselton Infant Health Centre in 1947. The property was later sold by the Infant Health Centre in 1954 when they moved to new premises in Peel Terrace. From the available information the premises were used for offices and medical rooms with modifications internally to suit the changes in requirements of the occupants.

Integrity/Authenticity

High/Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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