Government House, West Island facts for kids

Government House is a special building on West Island in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Australia. It is an official residence, which means it's a home for an important government person. This building is considered a very important historical place. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004. This list includes places that are important to Australia's history and culture.

History of Government House

Government House was built around 1953. It was created for the Australian Government to have a place for its representative on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. This helped show that Australia had a presence there.

Even though it was part of a group of houses for Australian Government staff, Government House was designed differently. It was much grander than the other homes. Its creation helped kick-start the development of the West Island settlement. After 1953, more government buildings, offices, and even a hospital were built nearby.

What Government House Looks Like

Government House is located right by the ocean on West Island. It sits in a beautiful garden with open grassy areas, tall palm trees, and other tropical plants.

The house itself is a large, single-storey building. It is raised off the ground and covered with asbestos sheeting. There's also a separate garage and a guest house. The guest house was originally covered with asbestos, but it is now made of brick.

The property has a formal driveway with white painted edges. There is also a flagpole and a white timber fence around the site. The entrance has large trees, making it look very grand. The house was designed to host formal events and important guests.

In 2000, the house was in good condition. However, it is not used as a full-time home anymore. The garden and fence need some care to keep them looking their best.

Why Government House is Important

Government House, built around 1953, is a key symbol of the Australian Government's presence on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

It is important because it was one of the first houses built for Australia's official representative there. Having the Australian Government present helped the local Cocos Malay people have more say in their own future.

The house is also important because it led to the growth of the West Island community. After Government House was built, other government buildings and services followed. This helped the area develop.

Government House has a unique design compared to other early Australian Government houses on the islands. It was built to suit the local warm weather. Its special features include a formal driveway, a fence, a flagpole, and areas for entertaining. Its location right by the ocean also makes it stand out.