An historic heritage building in Hillman has been restored to its former glory, with the City recently completing restoration works on the Old Abattoir located on Darile Street.
The Old Abattoir has been a feature of the Hillman landscape since the early 1940s, and is associated with former owner Oliver (Crom) Wilson, who constructed the building during World War Two.
War time restrictions made fresh meat difficult to acquire, so Mr Wilson and his partner Sydney Dixon, who operated two butcher shops locally, built the abattoir and arranged for their own supplies of stock. The abattoir was later converted into a dairy in 1952.
Over the years, the building's condition slowly began to deteriorate, with the roof collapsing and graffiti covering both internal and external walls.
However, with the on-going support of the City's Heritage Reference Group, which includes representation from the Rockingham District Historical Society, as well as support from Council, the City embarked on a project to reconstruct the building.
"The historic building represents a link to Rockingham's history that is still visible to this day," City of Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said.
"Without intervention to help repair the building, there was a risk of further deterioration and a piece of the City's heritage could have been lost forever."
"Thankfully, with support from the City's Heritage Reference Group, Council and expert advice from a range of stakeholders, the City has been able to retain the remnany vuggy limestone walls and faithfully reconstruct the original roof to preserve this important piece of Rockingham's history.
Vuggy limestone is an unusual stone for building construction in Western Australia, but was a common stone used for buildings in the East Rockingham area."
The Old Abattoir is located in the Dixon Road Precinct. The Precinct is a Crown Reserve vested in the City of Rockingham for conservation and public recreation and it is a place that has been included on the City's Heritage Survey and Heritage List.
"The City is committed to preserving our heritage assets, and recently began development of the Draft Heritage Strategy. This strategy will further strengthen the City's approach to conservation, management and the promotion of heritage, ensuring iconic structures like the Old Abattoir can be appreciated for generations to come," Mayor Sammels said.
