Old Courthouse in Guildford to benefit from Lotterywest Grant

24/8/03
The former Courthouse in Guildford is to receive $9,345 in the latest Lotterywest cultural heritage - conservation grants announced by Government Enterprises Minister Nick Griffiths.
Mr Griffiths said that as heritage matters were important to the Gallop Government, the much-needed grant would fund urgent conservation works to stabilise the building.
The grants are part of a three-year commitment by Lotterywest to increase funding by $500,000 to $1.5million per year, which has allowed the Heritage Council to redirect funding towards it accelerated assessment and registration project.
"The old Guildford Courthouse is a reminder of the early settlement and development of the district," the Minister said.
"It is an integral part of a historic precinct in Guildford and contributes to the community's sense of place.
"Built of local clay bricks in 1866, the old courthouse makes an eminent contribution to the streetscape of Meadow Street.
"It was built during a building boom in Guildford and connected in part to a campaign of public works established by former John Governor Hampton.
"Knowing the transportation of convicts to Western Australia was scheduled to cease in 1868, Governor Hampton initiated a rigorous program of construction to take advantage of existing convict labour.
"The building is a fine example of colonial architecture and is used today by the Guildford Historical Society as an exhibition centre."
Conservation work on the former courthouse will include the removal and repair of fretting brickwork, construction of an air drain and the removal of redundant plumbing fixtures.
Mr Griffiths said the City of Swan, which owned the building, had sourced appropriate Guildford Bricks of a similar size, colour and texture to the original bricks for use in the conservation work.
Minister's office: 9222 8950