Houses of the Gwydir Shire

Written by Graham Wilson

Australian Theme- building settlements, towns and cities.

NSW Theme- accommodation.

Local Themes- activities provided with the provision of accommodation and particular types of accommodation; this doesn’t include architectural style.

Semi-detached house, mansion, shack, caravan, homestead, bungalow, workers’ cottage, boarding house, house site (archaeological).

A study of houses reveals fascinating historical detail about the development of a town, architectural styles, the use of local and imported building materials, and the income of individual owners.  Local government played a critical role in housing approvals but it is not until at least the 1960s that records are available.  Surviving newspapers can reveal much about the construction of buildings with the publication of advertisements calling for tenders; summaries of building applications and sometimes, detailed descriptions of buildings.

In January 1923 the Yallaroi Shire informed the public that intending builders had to submit plans and specifications and getting council’s approval before commencing new buildings or altering old ones.  Two weeks later council re-assured ratepayers that this control only applied to buildings in the Shire villages.

In May 1928 Yallaroi Council approved construction of residences for J. Rose and J.P. Collis.  E. Tomkins of the Mosquito Creek sawmill called tenders for construction of a timber cottage at Warialda in January 1930.  In August 1931, the Warialda Standard reported that C. Carney intended to erect three cottages on land recently purchased by him in Geddes Street.  The first of these in course of construction was to be occupied by Mr Irvine. Six months later, it was revealed that six residences had been constructed in Warialda in the past six months and this ‘could not be said for larger towns’.

Despite the Great Depression, a number of new homes were under construction in Warialda.  In January 1938 the following buildings were under construction: a cottage in High Street for Les Snape; a cottage in Geddes Street under construction by builder B.M. Wade of Inverell to be occupied by Geo Woo, manager of Hong Yuen and Co., Warialda branch.  Wade was also constructing the spacious home for Mrs Stevenson and the Misses Stevensons.  That month architect V.C. Chapman, called tenders for erection of a house at Warialda and by June his address was given as the Pastoral Chambers of Inverell.