As has been mentioned on the issues web page of this web site, Minnawarra House has been earmarked for removal. One of the reasons, is that Minnawarra House is regarded as an "undesirable entry statement for Armadale".
Below are some images to show just how "undesirable", is the appearance of Minnawarra House, and, how unfriendly is the “entry statement to Armadale”, made by Minnawarra House and its surrounding land.
Minnawarra House from Armadale Road...
A closer look at the building ...
And, the officially more desirable entry statement for Armadale - Stalag 13...
And, from the side,
What a desolate-looking construction.
Watch out for inmates trying to escape (an apparently common custom of prisoners, in Western Australia – that is, the common custom of the prisoners in WA, is not TRYING to escape, but, successfully escaping; the “revolving door syndrome of WA” - “I don't like it in this prison any more – I'm going home”)...
Even the Armadale Fire Station, looks more friendly ...
Now, in looking at the above pictures, the appearance of the more established buildings, shows a consistency of appearance; dark brown, or terracotta rooves, and light brown, or beige or sandstone coloured walls, and usually with arches.
One landmark example of this consistency of appearance, of established buildings in Armadale, is the Armadale Post Office.
Another landmark example of this consistency of appearance, of established buildings in Armadale, is the Armadale Town Hall.
Yet another landmark example of this consistency of appearance, of established buildings in Armadale, is the building currently used as the Armadale office of Community Policing and Neighbourhood Watch, the building being originally the Armadale-Kelmscott Road Board Office, built in 1904, which evolved into the Armadale-Kelmscott Shire Council Office, which evolved into the Town of Armadale office. The building, I am advised, is heritage listed. The building is at 136 Jull Street, Armadale.
Yet another landmark example of this consistency of appearance, of established buildings in Armadale, is the Southside Christian Centre, at the corner of Forrest Road and Sixth Road, in Armadale.
And, yet another landmark example of this consistency of appearance, of the character of the established buildings in Armadale, is the new Harvey Norman complex, which can be seen from both Jull Street, and from the South-Western Highway. Now, many people did not like the idea of a Harvey Norman complex in Armadale (big corporations and all of that), but, it must be said, that the appearance of the Harvey Norman complex in Armadale, is far more consistent with the character of the landmark and established buildings in Armadale, than the new train station (that was not wanted by the people of Armadale, and its design was not wanted by the people of Armadale), or the new picture theatre complex that has been built in Armadale (again, without the people of Armadale having any say in the matter).
The above pictures show that the landmark and established buildings of Armadale, have a common character, and a kind of welcoming appearance, both of which are missing in the appearance of the new train station. But, that is what you get, when you exclude the people who will be affected, from the decision-making process.
Perhaps, one day, the people of Armadale will get a say in what goes on in Armadale, and, how Armadale is to be developed.
The material above this point of this web page, was last updated on 13 April, 2005.
This information is included, to separate the above material from material added later
and to date the appearance and presence of the buildings,
as some of the builddings have since, been removed,
and the appearance of some of the remaining buildings, has since changed.
I can be contacted by email by clicking on my name at the end of this sentence - Bret .
This web page was last updated on 13 April, 2005