The Old Pemberton School

What happens next? Historic Landmark Dispute

Jan 16, 2024

OLD PEMBERTON SCHOOL

“Pibelmun” - Wadandi, a tribe of Noongar Australian Aborigines who knew the area as “Wandergarup”, which in their language meant ‘plenty of water’

Acknowledgement of Country

Author: Astrid Fox celebrates the lands and waters that give our community life; into which the songlines, stories, songs, ancestors and dreamings of First Nations peoples are woven. May I begin by paying respect to all First Nation people, past and present, for their generosity and custodianship of Country. I personally demonstrate my respect for First Nations peoples through my membership and continued activism at Reconcilliation WA.

Community activists in Pemberton, Western Australia, harbor concerns that the historic old school site may face demolition, being replaced by new buildings that do not complement the town's historic aesthetic.

The unique features of the Pemberton Town site have been a drawcard for tourism. Three organizations are proposing ideas for how the site should be restored or renewed. The Old Pemberton School was abandoned in 1991. Some local residents believe the school was relocated to 'the top of the hill' (Burma Road, Pemberton) when a student died crossing the main road. The 'powers that be' used the tragic event as the reason to relocate the historic school.

Other residents believe in 1991, parents and community collectively decided it was best to move off the main street to a safer location without heavy industrial traffic.

What do you think we should do with The Old Pemberton School?

Read on and discover the complexities of this debate...

‘We have heritage issues to consider," said Cr DeCampo, adding that community feedback was clear the school is valued as a heritage icon.’

- Wade DeCampo, Manjimup Shire President (2016)

Where is The Old Pemberton School?

Location: 29 Brockman St, Pemberton, Australia 6260

(Lot 557 Brockman St)

Shire: Manjimup

Electorate: Oconnor

Construction: 1919

Relocation: 1991

Abandoned: 2023

Current Heritage Status: Waiting for Assessment

Heritage Council Australia PLACE NUMBER 27051

What`s so special about The Old Pemberton School?

Physical Description

The Pemberton School has been constructed with asbestos sheeting, weatherboard cladding and corrugated iron roof, with brick chimneys and multi paned timber frames windows. The surrounds include some mature trees, lawn and other vegetation with some concreted areas (former playing grounds).

The Shire

·         Pemberton
·         Manjimup
·         Northcliffe
·         Walpole

Shire President

·         Donelle Buegge, 0409 114 681
·         Rural Ward Councillors
·         Cr Wendy Eiby, 0434 811 474
·         Cr Murray Ventris, 0428 471 197
·         Cr Jennifer Willcox, 0400 504 095
·         Cr Cliff Winfield, 0427 717 944

white concrete building near body of water — Photo by Michael on Unsplash

The Electorate

Liberal Party Member, MP Rick Wilson successfully elected in 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022 MP O`Connor Electorate home to 101k residents.

Includes Cities/Shires;

Albany, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown, Green-Bushes, Brookton, Collie, Coolgardie, Corrigin, Denmark, Dundus, Esperance, Kondinin, Laverton, Manjimup, Ngaanyatjarraku, Wandering and Williams.

Rick Wilson

(Principal Office) (3 Offices include Kalgoorlie, Esperance and Perth)

345 Hannan Street
Kalgoorlie, WA, 6430

+61890212044

Relocation

The Old Pemberton School was closed in 1991 and relocated to the top of the hill in town, Burma Road, Pemberton Western Australia 6260.

Total of 207 students from kindergarten – Year 10.

Community Heritage Organisations

1. Pemberton 1919 Heritage School Preservation Inc.

24^th November 2023 (Facebook)

“Ensure the retention and reuse of our beautiful old school building, now 104 years old.

With the vacation of the site imminent our concerns for the safety of the site are heightened. All ideas welcome.”

- Debra Mack

2. Pemberton Heritage & History Council Inc

Contact: williamjboz@hotmail.com

3. Pemberton Progress Association (PPA)

“Above all, Pemberton requires flexibility within the town centre to allow people to be innovative and responsive to development opportunities. With the economic hardship many people are experiencing, particularly due to the changes to the timber industry, it is not a time when planning should be seen as being restrictive. Within appropriate guidelines to protect the area's attractiveness and amenity, people must be encouraged to develop a town centre desirable to both locals and tourists. Such a hub should be a concentrated precinct that is pleasant, safe and easily accessible in a naturallv attractive environment encouraging the maximum use of a diverse range of facilities. "Town Centre" uses should also permit a mix of residential and office development - and tourist accommodation.”

- There are two "General Industry" zones in Pemberton - one occupied by the Pemberton Karri (Sotico) saw mill and the other by "Pempine" (which went into receivership in June 2002).

- The area within the zone around "Pempine" occupies about 18 hectares, part of which is unallocated crown land and still heavily forested. The "Pempine" buffer has prevented the residential development of surrounding land and the closure of that pine log saw mill could free up significant areas of residential-zoned land. In view of its proximity to existing and potential housing, the area would not be considered appropriate for new industrial uses.

- The Pemberton Karri Mill is likely to continue in some operational format for the foreseeable future, especially with the funding grant support proffered by the State Government in December 2002.

A new "Industry" zone - for light and service industry - is required and has been identified in the LPS on the Pemberton-Northcliffe Road south west of the townsite.

SHIRE INVOLVEMENT

2023 Shire of Manjimup Report

Achievements/Activities – Pemberton

• Balang Miya Pemberton Community Hub nearing completion.

• Lotterywest grant received by Pemberton CRC for fit out and placemaking of the Hub.

• 7 community groups as partners.

• MOUs completed.

• Lease progress endorsed by Council.

• Note continued delays experienced for completion.

• Pemberton Public Library reopened to the public.

June 2023 - Paul Omodei

“Some major projects have also kicked off or continued through this year. Construction has continued on the Pemberton Co-location project which will be completed in the coming months. The Co-location precinct will provide a new home for the Public Library, Returned Service League (RSL), Pemberton Community Resource Centre, Pemberton Arts Group, Pemberton History and Heritage Group, Pemberton Chamber of Commerce and Little Taddies Day Care.

‘I attended a Pemberton Co-location Advisory Committee Meeting with Councillor Ventris, chaired by the Director of Community Development, and attended by Councillor Buegge.’

2022 Shire minutes Report

Pemberton Heritage and History Group: traditionally managed the local heritage Collection within the old school building within the Visitor Centre lease. The Group will move into a new Museum and Workshop within the Pemberton Community Hub.’

‘Understandably, the above move comes with some trepidation for the Group as this is their first foray into a leased area with increased levels of maintenance and management responsibility.’

November 2016

- Funding 50k granted.

2014 Report

Funding of $185,821 that was to come from the Regional Development Australia Fund was withdrawn, which had subsequently been allocated to the Pemberton Mainstreet Project following the withdrawal of funding from the Country Local Government Fund.

2014 Manjimup Shire Annual Report

B12.3

- Support the development of a Light Industrial Area in Pemberton

- Advocate and undertake initiatives where possible.

- Office of CEO/Development and Regulation

Ongoing Achievements/Activities

- Collaboration initiated with SWDC to explore Crown Land rationalisation for light industrial opportunities in Pemberton.

https://www.swdc.wa.gov.au/

- Inclusion within new planning strategy being investigated.

C1.

- Encourage co-locations, partnerships and resource sharing to deliver community services.

C1.1

- Progress the Pemberton Co- location Project to develop a new shared and co- managed facility for the Pemberton Visitor Centre, Community Resource Centre and Public Library and associated groups

Progress - project milestones / a new facility is funded and built