Midland's post office building to be added to heritage register

25/8/94

Midland's historic post office building, situated on the corner of Helena Street and Great Eastern Highway, is to be added to the Heritage Council's Register of Heritage Places.

Announcing his decision to add it to the Register, Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said the post office building was an integral part of the historic and civic precinct of the old centre of Midland.

"The main building, which was constructed in 1913, has served the communications needs of Midland for 81 years," Mr Lewis said.

"This post office is rare in the scale of its postal hall which is of a size usually only found in main city post offices.

"The building has been maintained in good condition and is an excellent example of the civic architecture of Hillson Beasley who was Principal Government Architect for Western Australia between 1897 and 1905.

"It is also a rare example of civic government buildings designed specifically for large regional centres and it is aesthetically linked with the Midland Town Hall and the Old Court House to form the historic precinct of Midland.

"Built at a cost of 4,903 pounds, the post office represents the development of the State's telecommunication services in the 1900s and the growth of its railway and industrial centres.

"The atttached residence, which has long since been turned over to post office purposes, illustrates the important community role played by our early postmasters and their families.

"While the business heart of Midland has been dispersed with the construction of large new shopping centres, the new police station, court house and Department Lands Administration building, the post office remains an integral part of its historic and civic precinct."

Media contact:  Paul Plowman 222 9595