Permanent Heritage Listing for King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women

27/12/02
Western Australia's first public maternity hospital, the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women (KEMH), has been permanently listed in the State Government's Register of Heritage Places.
Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards said registration would provide permanent statutory protection and recognition of the contribution made by the hospital to the State's social and cultural history.
It follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Heritage Council and chief executive officer of the hospital, Dr Shane Kelly, on behalf of Health Minister Bob Kucera.
"The MOU set out the terms under which the cultural heritage significance of KEMH would be conserved and managed while acknowledging that the place is a working hospital," Dr Edwards said.
"It articulates and identifies the roles of KEMH and the Heritage Council and lists works that will be exempt from referral to the Heritage Council.
"These include maintenance, repairs, painting, excavation and specific works in accordance with an approved conservation plan or conservation policy.
"Since 1916, the hospital has provided for the health-care needs of women and babies in Western Australia.
"It has played a major role in the evolution of gynaecology, obstetrics and other aspects of women's and infants health care both locally and nationally.
"KEMH is a large complex of hospital and hospital related buildings built over an extensive period since 1897 and reflecting a number of different architectural styles."
The first building (now Harvey House, H Block) was constructed in 1897 as a Government Industrial School for Girls. The design of the school was an extravagant architectural gesture for such building types in a time when the need for economy was being stressed.
"It served as an industrial school for boys and girls for nearly 20 years before being converted to a public maternity hospital in 1916," Dr Edwards said.
"Numerous alterations and additions were made to the site throughout the 20th century as the hospital and associated services were developed to provide for the needs of women and new born babies, and to fulfil its role as a major teaching hospital.

"The Centenary Ward (C Block) commemorated the centenary of Western Australia in 1929. Dedicated to the pioneer women of the State, it was the earliest such memorial to women in WA.
"Agnes Walsh House (Q Block) designed in the Post War International style by the Public Works Department, received a Royal Australian Institute of Architects bronze medal for architecture.
"KEMH is included in the City of Subiaco Municipal Inventory, classified by the National Trust and is in the Register of the National Estate.
"It has had, and continues to have, a unique significance to the community of WA."
Minister's office: 9220 5050