Interim heritage listing for Kalgoorlie's Victoria Park Rotunda

30/10/96

Kalgoorlie's Victoria Park Rotunda, one of the largest of its type in Western Australia, is to have its heritage values recognised.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said the turn-of-the-century rotunda would be placed on the Heritage Council of WA's interim register of heritage places.

Mr Lewis said the rotunda had been a focal point in Kalgoorlie's outdoor social gatherings.

"For many years the rotunda was an important cultural and social meeting place," he said.

"At the turn-of-the-century, the grassing and planting of trees in parks was an indication not just of civic pride, but of confidence in the future.

"When the rotunda was added to Victoria Park in 1903, the park became the focal point in Kalgoorlie for outdoor gatherings and entertainment."

Mr Lewis said the origins of the rotunda were unclear.

While some claimed that a local businessman commissioned the building of the rotunda and paid for material and labour, others link the buildings with the Afghans, who were prominent in the Goldfields, using their camels as transportation.

"The Afghans were also very good craftsmen and the rotunda has an Islamic flourish," Mr Lewis said.

"Although the dome is Victorian in origin, the crescent moon and 'onion bulb' at the top are probably inspired by Moslem architecture.

"Whatever its origins, the construction of the rotunda provided a much-needed venue for musical performances and Victoria Park became a popular place for family gatherings and picnics.

"Crowds of up to 3,000 people would gather to hear the Kalgoorlie Brass Band."

The timber structure is enhanced by a decorative cast-iron frieze, timber arches and infill, and columns that give the structure a light filigree character.

Mr Lewis said the land on which the rotunda stands was now part of a home for the frail aged, established by the Catholic Order of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Access to Victoria Park changed in 1972, when the home was built and Hammond Park became Kalgoorlie's focal park.

The Minister said little evidence of the old park remained, although it was known that there were extensive parks, gardens, a drinking fountain and a timber rail fence and seats surrounding the rotunda.

He said that although the rotunda was in a dilapidated state, it remained intact and had a high degree of integrity and authenticity.

"The Victoria Park rotunda is representative of the important role such a place played in the social life of the goldfields community during the early years of the century," Mr Lewis said.

"It is also one of the largest rotundas of its type in WA and deserves the protection of the State's heritage laws."

Media contact : Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595, 221 1377