Permanent heritage listing for two Menzies landmarks

23/6/03
The Menzies Town Hall and Shire Offices and the former Menzies Warden's Quarters have been permanently listed in the State Government's Register of Heritage Places.
Environment and Heritage Judy Edwards said the registrations would provide permanent statutory protection and recognition of the contribution made by the places to the State's social and cultural history.
"The Menzies town hall and shire offices is an imposing and substantial public building constructed between 1896 and 1901," Dr Edwards said.
"It demonstrates the general prosperity experienced in the Eastern Goldfields at the turn of the last century and the particular growth and prosperity of Menzies as the railhead of the Eastern Goldfields line from 1898 to 1901.
"The edifice is a single-storey stone building with a two-storey clock tower and corrugated iron roof and is a fine example of the Federation Free Classical architectural style applied to a rural civic administration building.
"It has been associated with the major municipal, civic, social and cultural activities of Menzies since 1901 and is still in use today.
"The place has a century-old landmark presence that contributes to the character of the town of Menzies. The clock tower can be seen along the main street and from many other positions around the town."
Dr Edwards said the old Menzies Warden's Quarters were valued by the local community as a significant building from the gold boom years and for its association with the mining history of the town.
"The quarters were built as the residence of the mining warden and resident magistrate at Menzies in 1897 and represents a period of prosperity and development in the town," she said.
"It is associated with William Lambden Owen, who was warden and resident magistrate at Menzies from 1896 to 1905 and who influenced the choice of the site and the design of the place.
"It is a good representative example of a Federation Bungalow-style regional warden's quarters. It is built of local stone and contributes to the character of Menzies.
"Since 1927, it has been associated with the provision of medical services in Menzies, initially as a hospital and more recently as a nursing post.
"The Gallop Government is committed to protecting our unique environment, both built and natural, for future generations."
Minister's office: 9220 5050