Old Mundijong Library
Except for a brief period as a doctor’s surgery, the Old Mundijong Library has long been the centre of administrative life in the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.
Historical information
The foundation stone was laid in 1949 by Premier DR McLarty. The new brick and tile offices, the new home of the Road Board, were officially opened later the same year by Sir James Mitchell.
In 1961, changes to the Local Government Act transformed the Road Board into the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale. A new building was built adjacent to the old one and opened in 1971 as the new administration building. Although large for the population of the shire at the time, the new facilities served the community well during the next several decades of rapid growth.
During the early 1980s, the former Road Board office housed a doctor’s surgery. After this, it was converted into the Shire library so there would be greater library space at the newer offices. In 2022, after extensive renovations to Byford Hall, the library was moved to that location.
Physical description
The Old Mundijong Library is a post-war (WWII) brick building with brick to dado height, then render to roof. There is an angled entry porch on the northeast side with a stepped pediment and protruding flagpole, with gates enclosing the entrance.
The windows are double-hung sash and there is a brick chimney on the south roof with a terracotta chimney pot. There is a small brick garden bed along the front of the building.
Present day
This building has historic and social value, being our first purpose-built centre and the only former administrative centre still existent in the Shire. In addition to the newer offices next door, the site has continued its traditional role as the administrative part of the town, where council and community meet.
Further reading and references