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Former Police Residence, 17 Leslie Street (corner Griffith Street), STAWELL
17 Leslie Street (corner Griffith Street) STAWELL, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE

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Northern Grampians Shire
SL 134a - Stawell Historical Society Collection.
SL 134a - Stawell Historical Society Collection.
SL 134a - Stawell Historical Society Collection.
SL 134 - Former Police Residence
SL 134b - Stawell Historical Society Collection.
SL 134c - Stawell Historical Society Collection
SL 134d - Stawell Historical Society Collection.
SL 134e - Stawell Historical Society Collection.
SL 134f - Stawell Historical Society Collection
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Statement of Significance

The former Police Residence, 17 Leslie Street, Stawell, forms part of a coherent group of government, civic and community buildings that have significance for their close associations with the foundation of the town. The former Police Residence is a relatively intact single storey Victorian brick villa with encircling verandahs, having hipped slate roofs and a gabled service annex clad in galvanised corrugated iron (to the west). The police residence was built in 1869 to accommodate the Police Superintendent of the Wimmera. The service annex was added in 1885.

The former Police Residence is architecturally significant at a STATE level. It demonstrates original design qualities of a Public Works Department Victorian villa style. These qualities include the hipped slate roofs, red brick wall construction, and encircling skillion verandahs supported by cast iron columns. Other intact qualities include the timber framed double hung windows, multi-corbelled red brick chimneys, four panelled timber doors, masonry window sills, and the service annex with its galvanised corrugated iron gable roof. The former Police Residence is also architecturally significant as possibly the only purpose-built police superintendents residence in the State.

The former Police Residence and site are historically significant at a STATE level. The site is associated with the establishment of a police administration in Stawell from 1858 as part of the former horse paddock. The former police residence is also associated with development of police administration in Stawell and the Wimmera region for 100 years from 1869 until 1969. The building and site represent one of the earliest developments in this area of Stawell when it was known as Pleasant Creek.

Overall, the former Police Residence is of STATE significance.

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    • Physical Description 1

      Former Police Residence, 17 Leslie Street (corner Griffith Street), STAWELL - Physical Description 1

      The former Police Residence forms part of a significant group of Government, civic and community buildings located in Longfield, Leslie and Griffith Streets. This coherent group of Victorian buildings are closely associated with the foundation of Stawell in 1858.

      The former Police Superintendent's Residence (Quarters) is comprised of a Victorian styled single storey red brick building with a small gabled service annex situated at the side. The house is situated in the centre of a large allotment and is partially bound by a timber picket fence.

      The building is a characteristic villa of its time, having hipped slate roofs, a galvanised corrugated iron gable roof (side service wing) and encircling skillion verandahs clad in recent galvanised corrugated iron. Four heavy red brick chimneys with multiple corbelling adorn the roofline, and another brick chimney is situated on the service annex. The single, timber framed double hung windows under the verandahs appear to be early, as do the masonry window sills. The four panelled single timber doors also appear to be early. The verandahs are supported by early cast iron columns with decorative capitals.

      The plan of the building is also typical, being a four room villa with two rooms arranged either side of a central corridor and a small wing of ancillary rooms to the rear. The timber and brick service annex on the west side, is a later addition, but it contributes to the interpretation of the building as a purpose-built residence for a reasonably high ranking public servant.

      The building and grounds have been substantially altered, with a concrete slab floor being introduced around the verandahs (having brick retaining walls), and a substantial amount of new fabric also introduced into the verandah framing and cladding. Some internal walls and partitions have been removed and/or erected, and internal lining materials have been replaced.

      [Based on the Heritage Victoria Description.]

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Northern Grampians - Shire of Northern Grampians - Stage 2 Heritage Study

      Author: Wendy Jacobs, Vicki Johnson, David Rowe, Phil Taylor
      Year: 2004
      Grading: State

Public contributions

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
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