Nungarin Army Vehicle Workshop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Army Vehicle Workshop |
|
---|---|
General information | |
Type | Heritage listed building |
Location | Second Avenue, Nungarin, Western Australia |
Coordinates | 31°11′08″S 118°05′50″E / 31.1856°S 118.0971°E |
Completed | 1942 |
Owner | Shire of Nungarin |
Type | State Registered Place |
Designated | 5 November 1999 |
Reference no. | 3482 |
The Nungarin Army Vehicle Workshop is a very special building in Nungarin, Western Australia. It's so important that it's listed as a heritage building! Today, it's home to the Nungarin Heritage Machinery & Army Museum, where you can explore old machines and army history.
History of the Nungarin Army Workshop
This huge building was constructed by the Australian Army in 1942. This was during World War II, a very big global conflict. The workshop was a key part of something called the No.5 Base Ordnance Depot. Think of this depot as a giant army garage and storage area. It was where military vehicles were fixed and kept ready for action.
What's really cool about this building is how it was made. Its main frame was built in Perth, which is quite far away. Then, it was taken apart and shipped to Nungarin to be put back together. This way of building, called prefabrication, was unusual for such a large building back then.
After World War II ended, the army didn't need the depot anymore. So, the workshop and the rest of the army base were sold to the Shire of Nungarin. A Shire is like a local government area that looks after the town and its people. The Nungarin Army Vehicle Workshop is now the biggest and most important part left of the old army base. It helps us remember the area's role in the war.
What Makes the Building Special?
The Nungarin Army Vehicle Workshop is one of the biggest buildings in the southern hemisphere made mostly from timber. Its large size and unique construction make it a very interesting place to visit. Today, it's filled with amazing old machines and army items at the Nungarin Heritage Machinery and Army Museum.