Marrinup POW Camp (nr Dwellingup) listed on heritage register

11/5/96

A unique part of Western Australia's war history has been entered permanently on the State Register of Heritage Places.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said the Marrinup Prisoner of War Camp, near Dwellingup in the South-West, had been permanently listed following a recommendation from the Heritage Council of Western Australia.

Mr Lewis said the entry ensured that the remnants of the camp, spread over 18 hectares, were subject to the full protection of the Heritage of Western Australia Act.

The camp, now an archaeological site, was the State's only purpose-built World War Two POW camp.

"Marrinup is historically and socially important as a reminder of the war's impact on Western Australia," the Minister said.

"It demonstrates the humanitarian philosophy shown to prisoners of war in Australia."

Mr Lewis said the POWs had an important role in supporting South-West agriculture and the timber-milling industry as they relieved worker shortages caused by the war.

Prisoners were given work release from the camp so they could labour on farms.

The camp was built to house German and Italian POWs in timber huts and at its peak held up to 600 prisoners.

Today it is largely in ruins, but its layout can still clearly be seen.

The mess hut floors are visible, as well as the high jarrah stumps on which the guard towers were positioned.

The flower gardens, constructed by prisoners at the end of the war in the shape of card suits, are also still in place.

"The setting is very similar to what it would have been in the 1940s, though it is not feasible to recreate the original buildings," Mr Lewis said.

"Marrinup has a high degree of authenticity and integrity, and I welcome its inclusion on the register."

Media contact : Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595, 221 1377