Properties Summary

Albany Fish Traps 

The National Trust continues to be the guardian of this place, working closely with its original owners and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in Albany in relation to its management and care.

Bridgedale  

The joint management of the property by the Trust in conjunction with the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes has resulted in a very active year. Mid winter, a week long archaeological dig was undertaken by students and supervised by Dr Alistair Patterson of the University of Western Australia’s Centre for Archaeology. A considerable amount of material such as kitchen refuse and broken ceramics was found. Unfortunately the location of the first house, referred to in the primary research, was not located. This collaboration between the Trust and the University has proved extremely rewarding and it is hoped that archaeological work will continue at Bridgedale in the future.

Grant applications to Museums Australia for Bridgedale were successful and resulted in almost $30,000 worth of projects. One grant was used to employ historians, Helen Charlesworth and Juliet Ludbrook, to locate primary source material relating to the property. They found substantial material relating to its more recent history since the 1940s including some wonderful photographs of the grounds. The historical research project will provide an ongoing resource and has already proved to be an indispensable tool for other projects relating to Bridgedale. 

A second grant was used to contract Thompson Palmer Landscape Architects to prepare an interpretation masterplan for the grounds. The brief required that they make recommendations relating to the conservation of any early plantings or landscape features. The project then provided a masterplan for the grounds, including a planting guide. All recommendations were based on primary evidence and stressed the interpretive rather than decorative aspects of the place.

Some conservation works to the building itself were completed this year. The works included re-pointing of the brickwork and the removal of exterior paint. The red ropes were removed from internal doorways and the furnishings reconfigured so that visitors are able to move through the house more freely. Small items were transferred to a showcase for security. This has resulted in a friendlier environment and one which is less “museum-like” in feel and appearance.

Dedari Pumping Station 

A Federal Centenary of Federation Grant for urgent conservation works to the pump station and its outbuildings was received. The works included the conservation of the roof ventilators plus the conservation of the corrugated iron clad Engineers Office and the Workshop building.  All termite-damaged timbers have been replaced and the remaining timbers are to be conserved. 

Dongara Flour Mill 

The exterior of the building has been conserved and the windows replaced giving the Mill an extremely sound and attractive façade. The National Trust has however decided to sell the building with a Heritage Agreement in order to ensure that any future development of the building does not compromise or diminish its cultural heritage values.

Ongoing consultation with the Midwest Olive Association may result in the small olive grove adjacent to the Dongara Flour Mill being used in a commercial way.

East Perth Cemeteries 

Conservation works are ongoing including repainting of the doors to St Bartholomew’s Chapel. The Work for the Dole program participants, along with the project manager located on site, have provided a great deal of direct care for the Cemeteries. The participants in the program have undertaken gardening, including maintenance, lawn mowing and tree planting.  Reticulation and site drainage has been improved. 

Again the Trust is indebted to the East Perth Redevelopment Authority for its generous contribution of funds toward the conservation and improvement of the Cemeteries. 

Ellensbrook 

Over the past few years the property has been managed very competently by John Summers whose lease expired during the year. Due to Ellensbrook’s location within the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park it was highly desirable for the Trust to work in partnership with CALM. The day-to-day management of this important property, including the provision of guides who introduce visitors to all aspects of the cultural heritage that are inherent in Ellensbrook, including Aboriginal, European and natural heritage values, is now provided by CALM. Discussions have also taken place with the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River in an effort to broaden community participation and involvement in the place.

The caretakers cottage located at Ellensbrook has been subject to substantial maintenance work including the provision of a new generator, hot water system and upgrade of the electrical system in order to ensure that the cottage will provide pleasant accommodation for future occupants.

An interpretation plan for Ellensbrook was prepared internally which will be used to guide the development of information and presentation to the public. It is seen as a working document that will continue to evolve and undergo regular review so as to keep it current and able to respond to management and visitor requirements.

Fremantle Artillery Drill Hall

Perhaps better known as the Fly by Nite Club, the Drill Hall was given to the Trust during the year to manage on behalf of the broader community. The building is an extremely intact military structure and houses a not-for-profit organisation that provides a venue for entertainment. The Trust aims to undertake urgent conservation works to the building in the coming year.

Greenough Hamlet 

The Trust continues to manage the Hamlet in partnership with the Shire of Greenough. Over $40,000 worth of conservation works were completed during the year including stone wall conservation, roofing repairs and painting which have resulted in a very high standard of presentation of the buildings.

An Artist-in-Residence program has been established in conjunction with the Geraldton Art Gallery. Clinches Mill is used as a gallery/exhibition space and artist accommodation is provided in the former Teacher’s Quarters in the Courthouse building.

Jointly the Shire and the Trust have been successful in raising the funding to construct a Visitor and Interpretation Centre on the rear of the existing Wainwright’s Store on the edge of the Hamlet.  Aiming to provide a centre for the promotion of the Shire of Greenough and an introduction to the Hamlet itself, the contemporary building is being designed by Palassis Architects. The Centre will incorporate a tourist information centre and retail outlet, an exhibition/interpretation area and an extended café.

Herdsman Lake Settlers Cottage 

Much work has been undertaken in the grounds of Settlers Cottage by scheme participants under the supervision of the Work for the Dole Project Manager. CALM has been extremely generous by assisting in the removal of the grasses that had invaded the site and for the replanting of indigenous trees and rushes in an attempt to restore the natural environment that previously existed at the rear of the site.

An archaeological excavation has been undertaken in order to determine earlier planting patterns and field layouts before a planned interpretive vegetable garden is introduced early next year.

The Hermitage 

Not currently open to the public due to insufficient resources, the building is available for rent in an attempt to generate some income for the property. An interpretive sign is being designed to give visitors some information about The Hermitage and its history.

Israelite Bay Telegraph Station 

The Chief Executive Officer and Chairman visited the Telegraph Station towards the end of the year and this has resulted in plans for the conservation and interpretation of this important property in the near future.

Luisini Winery 

The Trust has a lease under which it is to manage the Winery over the next three years. It is an interesting structure, located in the Yellagonga Regional Park Kingsley, and is a place with high heritage values to the Italian and local communities. Once the largest winery in the southern hemisphere, it is now an evocative remnant of a past enterprise that has helped ensure the place will survive into the future. 

A Work for the Dole project was established to clean up the site and to start the urgent conservation works. Larger works, including conservation and restoration of the roof and walls is planned for next year.

A marketing strategy, community consultation and a tremendous involvement from the Western Australian Italian community will ensure this property is well conserved and interpreted. Plans will be prepared next year for the interpretation of the site and for the adaptive reuse of the building and grounds.

Mangowine Homestead 

Visitors are still attracted to this remote Trust property. Its well publicised annual concert raises the profile of the property in the broader community.

Moir Homestead 

Working in a cooperative venture with the Shire of Esperance, the Trust has plans for conservation and interpretation at this property to be undertaken next year.

Old Blythewood  

The Heritage Council provided funding for the conservation of the soft brick walls in the kitchen building. The works have progressed in a slow but thorough way during the latter half of the financial year and will continue next year.

Old Farm Strawberry Hill 

A considerable amount of new information and photographic details have been supplied this year for the conservation plan that is being prepared for the place.

The Lotteries Commission and the Heritage Council have provided funds for the ongoing conservation of this extremely significant property. The conservation works have included site drainage, painting, rendering and lowering of soil levels adjacent to the buildings.

Amy Gardos, a Masters student from the Centre for Archaeology at the University of Western Australia conducted an archaeological excavation on site. She was assisted by undergraduate and postgraduate students. An exciting range of discoveries were made that confirm other sources of information and add to the rich historical understanding of the place and its former occupants. The excavation was well publicised in the local media and this attracted large numbers of visitors to the Old Farm.

Old Observatory 

As the Trust continues to expand its activities and programs it has had to accommodate staff associated with projects such as the Golden Pipeline and Luisini Winery placing stresses on the accommodation in the building. 

Two Work for the Dole programs have been established at the Observatory, one for painting and the other for gardening. Both are progressing extremely well. The Daisy Rossi room has been painted and new lighting is to be installed. The participants of the Work for the Dole program have tended the grounds and a new avenue of Geraldton Wax plants grace the entry drive.

Old Perth Boys School 

The building was re-roofed over the summer months with the aid of a Lotteries Commission grant. Plans to paint the interior and introduce planter boxes in the external courtyard area will ensure this centrally located property retains its café use. New tenants have taken over the lease and its hoped that the building continues to be well used in the coming years.

Tranby House

The past year has concentrated on the drying out the masonry in the walls of the building. Further plans are being made to ensure that this property is correctly conserved. The grounds have received attention from the volunteers and from the Work for the Dole program.

Warden Finnerty’s Residence 

Continues to be managed on a day to day basis by the Shire of Coolgardie. 

Wonnerup House 

This year the former wardens’ quarters were painted and some interior maintenance was undertaken and the building has now been rented out adding to the income source for the property. Some minor conservation works are planned for the Old School and Teachers House buildings in the coming year. 

Woodbridge 

A ceiling collapse in the billiards room just prior to Christmas caused some distress to those using the house and resulted in some damage to objects in the room. Slowly and carefully, the heavy ceiling moulding has restored and conserved. The room is to be painted in its traditional white and the painted timber joinery is to be stripped of its paint and waxed to reflect its original appearance.

Another productive Work for the Dole program commenced this year at the property. A new fence on the path to the jetty and in front of the tearooms, restoration of the underground tank, maintenance of the gardens and the general clean up of the site have been achieved this year.

The tearooms, located in the former coachhouse, continue to attract visitors and provide a very pleasant setting for lunch and tea.

York Courthouse, Gaol and Police Station Complex 

Minor conservation works were undertaken this year at the Courthouse complex. The roof of the Troopers Cottage was conserved thanks to a Heritage Council grant. Maintenance of the timber paling fences to the two Lowe Street cottages was also completed.

Three-D Exhibitions from Sydney was contracted to prepare an interpretation plan for the Complex. As part of the project a consultative meeting was held with key individuals and organisations in York. Feedback was generally positive and the first stage of the plan will be implemented in the new year. The plan proposes an extremely exciting revamp of the Complex utilising multimedia, archaeology and the building itself to tell the layered stories of the Complex.