Historic Buildings

BY KARLI FLORISSON

In the 1960s, Esperance’s Bijou Theatre, once the centre of the town’s social life, was a rundown relic of a former time. First built in 1896 by businessman E J McCarthy, the old theatre had accommodated a variety of different civic events, everything from the town’s first agricultural show, to silent movie screenings, visiting performers, town dances and meetings, and even roller skating events. In 1947, the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB), a men-only social and charitable club, purchased the theatre from the McCarthy family for use as a meeting room. Use of the hall declined, until it was virtually shuttered in the 1960s. After some suggestions in town that the building should be demolished, the Esperance Theatre Guild stepped in, leasing the building from the Buffaloes in 1971, and raising the money to purchase it in 1975. Local builder John Crawley was called in, and with his passion for old buildings, he was very quickly hooked. With the guild members volunteering their weekends to work on the project, John built an extension, reroofed the old hall, and completed a raft of other renovations that gave the Bijou a new lease on life.

John Crawley grew up near Manjimup, and came to Esperance in 1962, fresh from his builders’ apprenticeship. As he relates, he came to visit a friend, and ‘threw his box of tools in the boot just in case.’ He was offered a job in Esperance, then in Salmon Gums, and from that point, he was kept busy, working throughout the Mallee region. At the time, there was a new land release in the region, and many farmers were moving in, so builders were in great demand. John recalls being asked to take a look at an old building, with the owner at the time saying, ‘We don’t know whether it’s worth fixing the place.’ He went to take a look, and found that the building was the stately Grass Patch Homestead, first built in 1904 on what was the first farm in the Mallee. John renovated the homestead extensively, making every effort to retain the original heritage features of the beautiful, high ceilinged stone building.

John has also done restoration work on both Lynburn Station, built in 1872, and Dempster Homestead, the oldest remaining building in Esperance, built in 1867. As these buildings were constructed before cement was widely available and affordable, the ‘foundations’ were constructed by digging large trenches which were filled with stone, then building the stone walls on top. The floors were often laid directly on the ground. Lynburn originally had a thatched roof made from local river rushes. After the roof was destroyed in a bushfire in 1962, the owners at the time, Geoff and Pauline Grewar, were eager to save the building from further deterioration. John worked with a group of volunteers under the Commonwealth Service Volunteers Scheme to reroof and protect the building and the nearby stone wool shed. An original blacksmith’s workshop, also located on the property, was already a pile of rubble by the time John started, a reminder of what could have happened to the beautiful homestead building without this vital work.

In addition to John’s work on Esperance’s heritage buildings, work has also been done by other passionate craftspeople. Roger Robertson, a stonemason who grew up on a station near Balladonia, has spent many years working to save and restore some of the historic stone buildings in that region. In particular, his work on Balbinia saved the beautiful stone homestead that was deteriorating rapidly. He has also worked on Deralinya, another historic homestead that Roger now calls home. Much of Roger’s work has been done with the help of passionate volunteers, and through programs such as LEAP, which aimed to train volunteers and give them skills to gain employment. John, too, has worked significantly with volunteer labour and programs, involvement he has found very rewarding. ‘The relationships you form are worth gold. I learnt as much from them as they did from me.’

The most recent restoration that John worked on was the Grass Patch Post Office and Store. This stone building, built in 1926 from local granite from the Grass Patch Farm, was once a bustling hub of activity in the little town. After the store was closed, the building fell into disuse in the 1960s, and deteriorated severely. When the local community took up the challenge of restoring the building, saving it from being bulldozed, there were large holes in the stonework, and many of the timbers had rotted. The work was done by local volunteers, under John’s guidance, and now the building is a local community hub. As John notes, saving an old building like the Grass Patch Post Office gives a community something to rally around.

These days, the Bijou Theatre is the state’s oldest working theatre, and Dempster Homestead is both a comfortable family home and a much-loved part of the town’s history. John is proud of his work on these buildings, and the fact that they are now both heritage listed. He has also worked on many of the town’s iconic heritage buildings, from the Cannery Arts Centre to the Bond Shed and Goods Store, now the town’s museum. Not a bad effort for a man who only planned to stay in Esperance for six months.

Gemini MAY 21 - JUN 20

A change of heart will have you stressing that you’ve let someone down. Remember, you should only ever do what’s best for you. If you made a promise you can’t keep, but it’s for the right reasons, that’s okay. That someone mightn’t understand your decision at first, but it’s nothing that a box of Bread Local brownies can’t fix.

Cancer

JUN 21 - JUL 22

Being a people pleaser sometimes lands you in situations you’re not comfortable with. Your ability to say ‘no’ will be put to the test this month when you’re asked to undertake an unpleasant task. Push back and you might find the sky doesn’t fall in. Enjoy me-time instead, like flicking through the Tide on the foreshore lawn with a Sir Juice smoothie in hand.

Leo JUL 23 - AUG 22

There’s change in the air. You’ve been plodding along for some time now and while your bubble is comfortable, it’s not what’s best for you in the long run. In preparation for what’s to come, shake up your routine this month. Skip the gym and head to the Quarters for a round of margs or replace another boring night on the couch with a show at the Civic Centre.

Virgo

AUG 23 - SEP 22

If you bury your feelings any longer, you’re going to explode. Make it your goal this month to let someone you’ve been butting heads with know what’s on your mind. They mightn’t like what you have to say at first, but they’ll come around. With the weather cooling down, fireside chats are a great idea, so light the fire pit, pour a glass of Condy shiraz, and get talking.

Libra SEP 23 - OCT 22

A wave of energy and excitement washes over you this month. This is a good time to embrace your inner-child and engage in youthful activities, like a round of mini golf or a trip to the movies, complete with popcorn and a choc bomb. When you’re done having fun, use this energy to complete a task you’ve been putting off.

Scorpio OCT 23 - NOV 21

A repressed longing to escape floats to the surface this month. Figure out where this desire comes from before you act on it. You might find the cause of the problem is easily fixed, and there’s no need to become a fugitive. If you’re still itching to escape the Esperance bubble, pack up the car and hit South Coast Highway for a few days of solitude.

Sagittarius NOV 22 - DEC 21

You’re not a walkover but there’s someone close to you who always manages to get their way. A matter will soon arise that you try to push back on but they’re their usual stubborn selves. Don’t give in this time. On this occasion, it’s vital you only do what’s best for you. Putting your foot down will promote confidence in many aspects of your life.

Capricorn DEC 22 - JAN 20

A break from the rat race is much needed. With its cool, sunny days, June is the perfect time to walk slow, breathe deep, and connect with nature. Take a solo drive to Cape Le Grand, then take your shoes off and dig your toes into sand. Let your surroundings reenergise you and remind you that there is more to life than work, material possessions, and social media.

Aquarius

JAN 20 - FEB 17

The change in season inspires you to change your mindset. You’re keen to turn over a new leaf. Make changes while you’re motivated and before the wintery weather hinders your enthusiasm. Find support in those who want the best for you. Don’t be shy in asking for help. You’re often the first to lend a hand to those in need – it’s time they return the favour.

Pisces FEB 18 - MAR 19

It’s time to make your mental health a priority. Your energy levels will dip this month, making it easy for those winter blues to creep in. Plan activities that are revitalising but not tiring. Small social gatherings where you don’t have to lift a finger are ideal, like a lazy Sunday arvo at the brewery, or a Top End Takeaway and boardgames night at home.

Aries

MAR 20 - APR 19

A big change will soon require you to step back from one or two commitments. It will have you re-evaluating your priorities and questioning where your time is best spent. Do more things that benefit your family bond this month, whether that’s cosying up with Domino’s and Disney, or packing up the car and heading east to conquer Mt Ragged.

Taurus APR 20 - MAY 20

The compassion of a close friend inspires you to give back to the community this month. Seek out ways to explore your charitable side this month. Help someone you know, challenge yourself to perform a random act of kindness, or ask a local community group if they need a hand. Others will benefit from your good deeds, but you may benefit more.