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FORMER PERMEWAN WRIGHT OFFICES

Location

624-626 HIGH STREET ECHUCA, CAMPASPE SHIRE

File Number

605551 [closed]

Level

Registered

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FORMER PERMEWAN WRIGHT OFFICES
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1 former permewan wright
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h01075 plan h1075

Statement of Significance

The former Permewan Wright offices were built in 1866-70 of local red brick as a pair of single storeyed offices for James Shackell who leased them to various occupants. The upper level of the building was added in 1872 and included a verandah which has since been removed. Occupants of the building included shipping and forwarding agencies, the Millewa Club and the Echuca Recreation Club.

The former Permewan Wright offices are of architectural, historical, and social significance to Victoria.

The building represents the activities and functions associated with the port of Echuca, that being the role of agents who were responsible for the dispatch of in-going and out-going goods quickly and safely through the complex network of steamer, rail and dray transportation. The role of agents was vital to the commercial trade associated with the port. The building is also important for its association with the port of Echuca which played a major role during the nineteenth century as Victoria's principal inland port. The building represents a way of life at the turn of the century which encouraged the formation of recreational club providing the facilities of a gymnasium, library and games room specifically for the young men of the region.

The building has an association with James Shackell (1833-99), politician, auctioneer and agent, who dominated most aspects of life in Echuca from his arrival in 1863 until 1888 when his parliamentary career and subsequent interests led to his departure from Echuca. Shacknell was mayor from 1878 until 1882 and in 1883 won the seat of Rodney in the Legislative Assembly. He lost the seat in 1892 to a local farmer. It also has an association with Permewan Wright & Co., a cartage company established in 1856 in Geelong, who opened one of its twenty Victorian branches at Echuca in 1875. The company dominated the river trade in Echuca during the 1880s and 1890s, operating a fleet of steamers on the Murray, Murrumbidgee and Edwards Rivers.

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