Official opening of two refurbished historic Rottnest Island Cottages

11/10/96

After nearly 150 years of continuous use, two of Rottnest Island's - and the State's - oldest buildings have undergone extensive heritage refurbishment.

The cottages, K1 and K2, overlook Thomson Bay and were built in 1847. They have been continuously used ever since, firstly by island staff and later by holidaymakers.

The cottages were officially opened by Tourism Minister Norman Moore today and will soon return to service as holiday cottages for island visitors.

Mr Moore said the buildings were a unique part of Western Australia's and the nation's architectural heritage.

"K1 and K2, particularly after this detailed refurbishment, are unusually intact," he said.

"They look largely as they did when they were first built almost 150 years ago," he said.

"It is the way they relate to the sea, their simple design and continual use, which mark them as an important part of the nation's heritage."

Mr Moore said the heritage work had uncovered some surprises.

"The refurbishment has provided many clues to building techniques of the pioneers," he said.

"Workers discovered a convict-built oven; the remains of wooden walls, which had been covered by plaster board; and revealed that floors and roofs were originally made of limestone.

"The details uncovered will undoubtedly help future restorations by adding to our knowledge of how things were built in the past."

The Minister said K1 and K2 were restored as part of the five-year upgrade to the island recommended in the Rottnest Island Authority's 1995 review. The State Government had provided $2 million for the current upgrade program which included the heritage buildings and holiday cottages at Bathurst.

Architects Considine and Griffiths, and Donaldson Smith and Hooke worked on the heritage refurbishment, while Sizer Homes completed the work.

K1 and K2 will be open for public inspection before returning to service as holiday cottages over the summer.

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 321 1444 or 222 9595