Midland Town Hall entered on heritage register

11/7/95

Another site in Midland's historic civic precinct has received recognition.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said today that the Midland Town Hall had been entered on the Register of Heritage Places following a recommendation by the Heritage Council of Western Australia.

He said the interim entry recognised that the building had played a significant role in WA's history.

The Town Hall is the second Midland landmark to be entered on the register recently.

In September, the Midland Post Office, another important feature in the precinct, was placed on the register.

Mr Lewis said the Town Hall, situated at the junction of Great Eastern and Great Northern Highways, had a strong influence on Midland's identity.

"The hall, with its imposing clock tower, is the signpost for Midland that many Western Australians recognise," he said.

"The building also has great social value for the Shire as the former centre of local government and the venue for community functions and meetings."  

The design of the Town Hall was decided in an architectural competition which attracted nine entries, including work by some of the most prominent designers of the era.

A design by R M Hamilton and F W Upton was selected ahead of work submitted by former chief architect of the Public Works Department, George Temple Poole.

The hall has been a central focus for the community since it was officially opened in 1907, and the building has played host to many and varied events over the years.

The Minister said one of the more unusual uses came about during World War I, when the balcony of the Mayor's parlour was used to read out news of the war to the people gathered below.

In 1923 the clock turret was unveiled as a soldier's war memorial.

"It is believed that the clock had been intended for the post office, but when it was decided that only main post offices were to be fitted with clocks, it was installed at the Town Hall as a war memorial," Mr Lewis said.

The 1968 Meckering earthquake damaged the hall and it came under threat of demolition.

Restoration work was completed in 1973 after considerable public pressure and an interest free loan from the Tonkin Government.

Mr Lewis said the historic building continues to be a focus for community events and is greatly valued by the community.

"Earlier this year the State Government made available $101,000 for urgent repairs to the Town Hall as part of the Lotteries Commission's Heritage Program," he said.

Media contact:  Amanda O'Brien 222 9595