Roebourne: the town that Temple-Poole built

• Original Roebourne Hospital permanently State heritage listed

• One of 15 Roebourne buildings designed by one of WA's most significant colonial architects George Temple-Poole

The original Roebourne Hospital, the second oldest public hospital in Western Australia, has been recognised with permanent entry in the State Register of Heritage Places.

Heritage Minister Albert Jacob said Roebourne was critical in the early development of the colony, opening up the North-West to exploration and settlement.

"Established nearly 150 years ago, Roebourne was considered so important to the colony that Government Architect George Temple-Poole was dispatched to turn the red dust into a modern administrative capital of northern WA," Mr Jacob said.

"Apart from putting his stamp on the town, his design of Roebourne Hospital was revolutionary, being the first bungalow hospital built to meet the demands of the extreme climate.

"Roebourne Hospital was one of the earliest places to be entered in the State Register after the Heritage of Western Australia Act was introduced.  Its permanent listing almost 22 years later reaffirms its significance to the State of Western Australia."

Mr Temple-Poole is regarded as one of WA's most significant architects, having designed more than 200 government buildings throughout the State from the mid to late 1880s, including the Perth Mint, the WA Museum and Old Treasury Buildings.

"In architectural circles, Roebourne is known as the town that George Temple-Poole built.  It was his first major building program, and most substantial, with the court house, post office, police station, jail, school and hospital making up some of the 15 government buildings he designed for the town," the Minister said.

"The hospital, constructed between 1887 and 1889, included walkways and verandahs to provide ventilation and ample shade from the sun or rain.  The benchmark design was later adopted elsewhere around the State including at Derby, Coolgardie and Cue."

The distinctive red-stone hospital replaced the timber version, built in 1874, allowing Roebourne Hospital to claim fame to being the second oldest purpose-built government hospital in WA, behind Royal Perth Hospital.  The hospital building is now mainly used for storage, not patient care, with patients treated in a separate building on the same site.

Fact File

• 64 George Temple-Poole buildings entered in the State Register of Heritage Places

• More information at http://www.stateheritage.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 6552 5800

the original Roebourne hospital