Heritage Houses of New Junction – 21 Junction Parade

Council, at its meeting of 03 August 2022 resolved to include 35 new properties into the Local Heritage Survey. This included 9 properties within the New Junction precinct.

History

The Swan Districts Senior Citizens Centre was built in 1973 and reflects the design and materials of the period.  The architect and builder have not been determined in this research.

The town of Midland was undergoing expansion in the late 1960s and early 1970s, in common with many areas of metropolitan Perth.  The mineral boom of the 1960s lead to a flourishing economy and, as was common across many societies, an enthusiastic embracing of new technologies and designs.  As a result, many older buildings were demolished in this period to enable the construction of new buildings in contemporary designs.

The period was also characterised by a growth in community services as the population grew. Facilities for Senior citizens centres were also undergoing change in Western Australia in this period.  In previous decades, the pensioners of Midland Junction were provided with modest facilities such as the Pensioners Rest Room in the former Carnegie Library. (The Swan Express, 1 December 1938, p. 1.)

A new model for Senior Citizens Centres began in 1958 with the Victoria Park Senior Citizens Welfare Centre.  In 1967, the Swan Districts Senior Citizens Association was formed to establish a social centre.  As a result of significant fund raising, a centre was established in premises at 12 Viveash Road Midland but within a few years the group sold these premises and purchased this site, then designated as 1 The Avenue, Midland.

The new facility offered a hall, meeting rooms and a caretakers flat on the first floor. Since its construction a new carpet bowls hall was added c1982 to a style that is consistent with the original.

Aerial photographs indicate that the main building was originally clad in terracotta tiles which were replaced in the 1990s, the carpet bowls hall is still clad in tiles.

Apart from the change in roof cladding the two buildings feature original finishes internally and externally.

Statement of Significance:

This place has aesthetic value as a good and intact example of the application of materials and detailing of the Late 20th century Perth Regional style.

The place has historic value for its association with the development of Midland in the 1970s and the growth in community services during this period.

The place has historic value for its association with the members of the Swan Districts Senior Citizens Association who fund raised to purchase this site and build this facility.

The place has social value for the many members of the community who have attended and volunteered at this place since 1973.

Management Category:  Category 3 Some/Moderate

This is an extract from the Local Heritage Survey Place Record Form.  For the full Place Record Form  please visit www.newjunction.com.au/about/heritagehousesof newjunction