4/12/05
The historic Mundaring Weir Hotel is one of the major beneficiaries of the Gallop Government’s $1million program to conserve the State’s heritage assets.
Heritage Minister Francis Logan today announced that the owner of the hotel, Jens Jorgenson, would receive $95,300 to re-sheet the hotel’s roof and repair roofing timbers, gutters and downpipes.
The hotel is one of 29 heritage properties around the State to receive grants in 2005-06 to help pay for important maintenance and restoration work.
The properties include eight historic hotels and taverns, five rural homesteads, residential homes in Perth and Fremantle, a winery in the Avon Valley, a post office in the Wheatbelt and a fruit packing shed in the South-West. The biggest grant of $102,300 has gone to the renowned Walebing Homestead in Moora to repair its roof and front verandah.
Mr Logan said the $1million grants were a significant investment by the Gallop Government.
“They will significantly benefit regions from Northampton in the Mid-West, Goldfields towns like Coolgardie and Laverton, to Broomehill in the Great Southern,” the Minister said.
“Grants will provide vital assistance to private owners undertaking conservation works and planning, including repairing stonework, improving drainage and stabilising sites. They will ensure the survival of many of our important heritage landmarks, like the Mundaring Weir Hotel.”
The Mundaring Weir Hotel was built in 1898 for workers constructing the Mundaring Weir dam wall. The hotel provided the only legal supply of liquor to the large group of workers who previously had to rely on ‘sly grog shops’.
It was also used as an office by C Y O’Connor when he visited to inspect the weir work.
Originally known as the Reservoir Hotel, the single-storey weatherboard hotel was the only substantial building in the area. However, as the tourist trade picked up, owner Fred Jacoby built a new double-storey, brick and iron section in 1906. This forms the front of the hotel today.
It has since been used as a canvas for internationally acclaimed painter Frank Pash and a stage for renowned pianist David Helfgott.
Mr Logan said the Heritage Council had received 56 applications for funding under the Heritage Grants Program. Over the past eight years, the program had provided almost $7million to the owners of heritage properties to help conserve the State’s built heritage.
“The grants provide much-needed assistance to private owners and help ensure the State's heritage gems are conserved for future generations to enjoy,” he said.
“It is another example of the Gallop Government acting to protect and enhance Western Australia's unique lifestyle and environment.”
Grant recipients in other regions will be announced over the coming week.
Minister's office: 9222 8950
