Former E Perth Primary School to be entered on heritage register

2/10/96

The former East Perth Primary School is to be placed on the State Government's interim Register of Heritage Places.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said it was significant that the school's heritage values were being recognised at a time when East Perth was being returned to a residential area.

"The former primary school is an historic building and it represents an era when East Perth was home to a large number of families," Mr Lewis said.

"Over the years homes were replaced by industry and commerce, but East Perth is now being returned to a community where people live and work."

The Minister said the building, on the corner of Wittenoom and Bennett Streets, was probably best known in recent years as the home of the former Children's Court.

"The school was built in 1895 at a time when East Perth was primarily residential, coupled with 19th century cottage industries such as stables, saddleries and small workshops," he said.

"The rich soil of the river flats was also used for dairy farming and market gardening.

"As the residential population increased with land subdivision, so did the number of buildings to service the community. These included schools, shops, churches, wine saloons, hotels, Chinese laundries, tobacconists, brothels and so on.

"Industry also grew in the form of brickyards, flour mills, factories, tanneries, small breweries and bottling works."

Mr Lewis said the gold boom of the 1890s saw a major increase in Western Australia's population and with the rise in immigrants, the number of school enrolments rose sharply.

Plans for the East Perth Primary School were drafted in 1894 by the Public Works Department under the general direction of colonial architect George Temple Poole, although it was actually designed by Government architect Hillson Beaseley.

When finished, at a cost of £781, the brick building accommodated 100 children, although provision had been made to upgrade it to house as many as 200 students.

Mr Lewis said the school was a significant and typical example of school buildings designed by the Government architect at the turn of the century.

He said it was also significant for its aesthetic characteristics, particularly the south elevation, which incorporated high pitched gable roofs, round headed windows and brick walls above a limestone base.

A number of alterations were made to the building over the years. At the same time, commerce and industry expanded rapidly, the environment became degraded and the residential population declined dramatically.

Mr Lewis said the building eventually became redundant and in 1975 it was converted for use as the Children's Court.

"The former East Perth Primary School will continue to contribute to the community's sense of place as the area is redeveloped," he said.

Media contact : Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595, 221 1377