Conservation plan for rectory

A former Anglican rectory built on Prinsep Street in 1853 — and the home of Bunbury Women’s Club for almost 60 years — has been listed on the State Register of Heritage Places.

Heritage Minister John Castrilli announced the listing last Friday and said it recognised the significant contribution the club had made to the Bunbury community.

‘‘For nearly 60 years the Bunbury Women’s Club has provided a very important social meeting place for women, and as I understand, it is a home away from home for women to meet and support each other,’’ he said.

‘‘The building in which the club is located has an important heritage — it was the site of the first Anglican rectory which was built in 1853 and it’s only the third such rectory built in WA.

‘‘This State heritage listing will ensure this building’s important heritage will be respected and celebrated for our future generations.’’

Bunbury Women’s Club committee member Carole Connolly said all the club’s members had been involved in getting the site on the heritage register.

‘‘I’m absolutely overjoyed because it’s such a very special building and so many other old buildings in Bunbury have been knocked down,’’ she said.

‘‘I’m not very good at keeping secrets but I had to keep this one for a week.’’

Mrs Connolly, who is responsible for applying for grants on behalf of the club, said the building had cracks and restoration works that needed attention.

Her next goal is to stop articulated trucks, which had caused structural damage, from using the building’s side access road.

Work carried out on the building will be guided by a Lotterywest Conservation Plan in conjunction with heritage architect Kent Lyon.