23/12/04
The century-old Midland Railway Workshops has been named a Western Australian Heritage Icon.
Police Minister Michelle Roberts, who announced the honour on behalf of the Premier, said the listing recognised the workshops' social and economic contribution to the State's development.
They were the 12th joint icon named as part of the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Swan River Colony. The second icon for December - His Majesty's Theatre - will recognise the contribution of the arts to WA society.
"The selection of the workshops recognises the site's important history and above all, its social heritage," Mrs Roberts said.
"The significance of the workshops' contribution to the history of WA cannot be overstated. They were the engine-room of our economic development, hugely influential in the Midland region and throughout the State.
"Thousands of apprentices were trained there and the skills and knowledge gained at the workshops spread everywhere.
"The place fostered many working class heroes - people who went on to become trade union, civic and Parliamentary leaders."
Mrs Roberts said the workshops also had enormous social significance. They were the centre of WA working class culture, inspirational in its activities. A visit by Paul Robeson in the 1960s, recently commemorated in a concert that attracted 3,000 people, was just one example.
"As the turnout to that concert and to all other events at the workshops indicates, there is still a tremendous passion for the place that reaches to all corners of our society," the Minister said.
"Today, the spirit of the workshops is very much alive. They have a new role and lease of life as the heart of a significant redevelopment project. The Midland Redevelopment Authority's enlightened and creative approach to preserving and enhancing this heritage icon will ensure that its legacy will live on for many generations to come."
The Railway Workshops join a list of other important WA icons named this year - the Swan River, Fremantle Harbour, Kings Park, the Albany Anzac dawn service, Rottnest Island, Broome pearls, Ningaloo, the Western Derby, the Royal Show and Kalgoorlie gold.
Minister's office: 9213 7000
