History
The Heritage Collective buildings have a long history of service to the community. From their origin as a convalescent home for those recovering from illness to their most recent use before today, as a home for older people. Please read on to learn more about the interesting history of the buildings now known as The Heritage Collective.
The Ministering Children’s League
The WA branch of the Ministering Children’s League was formed in 1891 by Mrs H. D. Holmes, wife of Henry Holmes, Manager of the West Australian Bank. The newly formed Society hatched an ambitious plan to build a convalescent cottage by the sea. It was to become one of the largest and most successful philanthropic institutes established during the 19th and 20th Century.
A home in Cottesloe
Following a petition by numerous influential citizens of Perth, the League was granted five acres of land in Cottesloe with the proviso that the land be built on within three years. Subsequent years saw numerous fundraising events and, together with private donations and State funding, enough capital was raised to commence building work.
On 21st November 1896, a Foundation Stone was laid by Lady Onslow and the aptly named Ministering Children’s League Convalescent Home was officially declared open on 1st May 1897.
The Ministering Children’s League Convalescent Home was officially declared open on 1st May 1897.
The Buildings
The buildings were designed by prominent architect of the day, Percy William Harrison, in the Federation Queen Anne Style, using sandstone quarried on the site. The building was mindfully constructed to provide a ‘cottage’ feel which capitalised on the site contours,
In 2020 Curtin Heritage Living embarked on a journey to redevelop the site to provide more opportunities for older people to call the site home. The redevelopment included the complete refurbishment of the heritage buildings.
The buildings now offer spaces available to the broader community and provide opportunities for meaningful connection for people from all walks of life.
The imposing landmark two-storey building, with its charismatic candle-snuffer roof and elevated balcony, was officially opened in October 1909, by Lady Strickland, wife of the Governor who was also the President of the Home. It was built in a sympathetic variant style of the earlier buildings and constructed by F. W. G. Liebe, Builder, whose other known works include His Majesty’s Theatre. The new wing, consisting of two wards of nine beds each plus two private rooms, was aptly named the Meath Wing, after the founder of the Ministering Children’s League, Lady Meath.
With the completion of the third building, the ambitious plans of the fledgling branch of the Ministering Children’s League were complete, having nursed over 18, 600 patients to better health.
In 2020 Curtin Heritage Living began their ambitious project to redevelop the site to provide more opportunities for older people to call the site home. The redevelopment included the complete refurbishment of the heritage buildings.
The buildings now offer spaces available to the broader community and provide opportunities for meaningful connection between people from a variety of backgrounds.