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Albany Co-operative Society Limited
After the departure of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company.
Joan Blight and Andrew Eyden| 23 May 2024
In 1867, William Carmalt Clifton, the local agent for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O), encouraged the company's Albany employees to establish a Co-operative Society. The organisation would later conduct its business from premises on the corner of Frederick and Spencer Streets. Clifton became a well-known figure in Albany, largely through his instrumental role in founding the Co-operative Society and strengthening the town's coaling station. His organisational skills and management expertise helped place Albany on a firm footing as an efficient transit and coaling port for P&O vessels and, later, for other steamship companies operating in the region.
Clifton had arrived in Albany in February 1861 to take up the position of branch manager for P&O. He quickly became involved in the town's business and civic affairs, associating with many of Albany's leading citizens and embarking on what was at times a turbulent career on the Albany Municipal Council. During the first half of the 1860s, he leased George Cheyne's Bellevue residence—now known as Norman House which occupied a prominent position overlooking Princess Royal Harbour.
In 1870, a purpose-built premises for the Co-operative Society was constructed in Frederick Street by John Green. Built of granite and brick, the structure was a simple rectangular building finished in stucco and crowned with a double-hipped roof.
The Co-operative Society enjoyed strong trading during its early years and played an important role in Albany's commercial life. However, by 1878 business began to decline, largely due to the establishment of a regular shipping service between Albany and Melbourne, which altered traditional trading patterns and increased competition.
As a result, the Co-operative Society was wound up in 1883. Two years later, in 1885, the building was sold at auction to Alexander M. Moir. From 1890, Moir leased the property to Edward Barnett, who operated it as both a store and residence for Mrs H. Barnett. According to the Albany Rate Books of 1918, Alexander M. Moir remained the owner of the building, while the occupant was recorded as a labourer named Joseph Fisher. At the time, Moir was one of Albany's largest property owners, holding numerous buildings throughout the town.
Albany Co-Operative Society Limited c.1870. [AHS]
By 1925, the building was occupied by Kingsley Corry of Kingsley Corry Auctioneers. During the 1930s, the upper floor was occupied by the Payne family, while the lower floor was used by Mr Con Baesjou, who had married Jessie Eliza Moir on 11 April 1886. In 1935, Len Lambert operated his printing business from the lower floor.
At that time, the building contained three main rooms on the ground floor: a large room on the eastern side, supported by timber posts carrying the upper floor; an office in the south-west corner; and a storeroom in the north-west corner. By around 1940, Ernest George Tompkins had converted the building into four flats, removing the original redwood counters during the alterations.
In June 1955, records from the Albany Branch of the WA Water Authority listed Lancelot Shaw as the owner. Around this time, the toilets were connected to the sewer system. In November 1959, Alex Richard Lange and Lillian Kathleen Lange purchased the property from the estate of Lancelot Shaw.
From March 1960 until April 1975, Alex Lange operated the premises as Alcona Guest House, during which time additional toilets were connected to the sewer. In December 1975, K. and D. E. Campbell purchased the property. The Public Works Department later acquired the building in June 1978 and adapted it for use as the Westrail Train Men’s Barracks, a function it retained until Westrail vacated the premises in 1991.
Following its railway use, attention turned to the building’s heritage significance and future conservation. In April 1992, heritage architect John Taylor prepared a report assessing its cultural heritage value. Later that year, in August and September, conservation architect Ron Bodycoat undertook a condition assessment for the Town of Albany.
Urgent electrical upgrading was carried out in April 1993, and a wall that had previously been added to the eastern section of the ground floor was removed, reopening the space. Further repairs followed in June 1993. In September 1995, a conservation plan for the former barracks building was prepared for the Town of Albany.
The building was subsequently vested in the Council for long-term use by the Albany Historical Society. The intention was to use the lower warehouse section as a display storage area, with curatorial workrooms established upstairs.
This arrangement addressed a long-standing need for the Society. Members had often been asked to show donated items to descendants or family members but had previously been unable to do so effectively. With display storage in place, relics could be clearly marked with the donor’s name and arranged on shelves or in cabinets, ensuring both accessibility and proper care for the collection.
Albany Co-Operative Society Limited c.1910. [AHS]
During the period of ownership by Alex and Lillian Lange, significant alterations were made to the building. Dark brick walls were constructed to enclose the verandahs, wrought-iron balustrades were added, and timber framing was installed around the windows. The roof was also replaced with modern profiled metal decking, while the rear verandah and service rooms were clad in asbestos sheeting.
Over time, the building deteriorated considerably. Large cracks developed in the external walls, particularly along the western elevation, requiring temporary support measures by the City Council. Several doors and windows shifted out of alignment, and a range of internal repairs became necessary to ensure the building's ongoing stability.
The building's condition attracted the attention of Heritage Minister Fran Logan during a ministerial visit to Albany. While various sources of grant funding were discussed, the cost of restoring the former Co-operative Store was recognised as being substantial. The Albany Historical Society Executive Committee subsequently explored a range of options and strategies for the building's future conservation.
Further investigations by Albany Historical Society Chief Executive Officer Andrew Eyden revealed that the only significant funding source available was Lotterywest, which at the time offered grants of up to $50,000 per annum. Restoration estimates prepared in 2007 indicated that the project would cost approximately $600,000, including around $250,000 for the removal of asbestos. Given the annual funding limitations, it was estimated that it could take five years simply to cover the cost of asbestos removal. Government regulations relating to asbestos remediation would also have rendered the building unusable during much of that period.
Faced with these challenges, the Albany Historical Society resolved to undertake as much restoration work as possible using its own resources and volunteer labour. Andrew Eyden approached local volunteers Dave and Pam Northern and Eddie Summerbell, who had already been assisting with painting works at Patrick Taylor Cottage. They generously agreed to undertake the refurbishment of the Co-operative Store's interior.
Over several months, volunteers removed old floor coverings, repainted internal spaces and assisted with the sorting and organisation of the Society's collection. The project was later coordinated by the Society's Display Technician, Annette Howard, with support from participants in the Work for the Dole Programme. Assisted by her family and the programme participants, Annette continued and completed the restoration work begun by Dave, Pam and Eddie. Their efforts ensured the building was ready for the State Conference of the Royal Western Australian Historical Society, hosted by the Albany Historical Society in September 2010.
The completion of the project restored much of the building's interior character and brought it closer to its original appearance. It also enabled the Albany Historical Society to open the former Co-operative Store as a display-storage museum, allowing artefacts from the collection to be stored, interpreted and displayed in an accessible manner.
The restoration works were funded primarily by the Society itself, at a cost exceeding $17,000. Limited assistance was provided by the City of Albany, particularly in addressing several significant roof leaks. Despite these efforts, ongoing structural concerns eventually led the Albany Historical Society to vacate the building in 2013, as it was no longer considered safe for occupation.
Several years later, the City of Albany successfully secured grant funding to undertake a major conservation project. Completed in 2017, the restoration removed the numerous asbestos additions that had accumulated over the building's many decades of varied use and returned the structure to its original core fabric.
Following the restoration, the building was initially used to accommodate the Albany History Collection office while refurbishment works were undertaken at its premises within the Albany Public Library. The City of Albany subsequently offered the building for lease as office accommodation. After remaining vacant for approximately five years, it was eventually leased to the University of Western Australia, which continues to occupy the building today.
Albany Co-Operative Society Limited. [AHS]