UWA Hackett Memorial Buildings listed on heritage register

4/11/95

One of Perth's most photographed and popular tourist destinations has been entered on the State Register of Heritage Places.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said the Hackett Memorial Buildings at the University of Western Australia had been listed by the Heritage Council of Western Australia.

The buildings comprise Hackett and Winthrop Halls, including the imposing and well-known tower and the Great Gateway, the Administration Building and Whitfield Court.

Mr Lewis said the interim entry recognised that the buildings had played a significant role in WA's history.

"The Hackett Memorial Buildings are important and are central to WA's first university, which was also the first university in Australia to offer free tuition," he said.

"The quality of the building design was recognised even before it was completed with an award from the Royal Institute of British Architects.

"The tower is a landmark which identifies the university campus from many distant parts of Perth and the Swan River."

The Minister said Winthrop Hall continued to play its traditional role as grand ceremonial hall to the university, and with the tower, remained the university's symbol and focal point.

Winthrop Hall, the dominant building in the group, has had very little alteration, except for the installation of an organ and a lighting upgrade in the 1960s.

It was planned like a medieval guild hall with an open undercroft and a great hall above on the first floor.

Since its construction, Hackett Hall has been used to provide student services and still maintains a student presence in the historic hub of the campus.

The University of Western Australia opened its doors in temporary buildings in Irwin Street, Perth in 1913.

It moved to the Crawley campus in the early 1930s after the Hackett Memorial Buildings were completed.

The buildings were named after the university's first chancellor and the primary benefactor, Sir Winthrop Hackett.

The style of architecture is Renaissance, essentially of southern Italy and Sicily.

Media contact:  Bronwyn Hillman 221 1377 or 222 9595