ARCHITECTURE
The original house on this block was the home of John Tonkin for 50 years. It was a single-storey rendered brick and tile residence in its garden setting, with an under-croft garage.
HISTORY
This address was the home of Australian Labor party politician John Trezise Tonkin AC (2 February 1902 – 20 October 1995), popularly known as 'Honest John'. He served as a Member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for a record 44 years from 1933 to 1977, and was the 20th Premier of Western Australia from 1971 to 1974. The Tonkin Highway was named after him.
Tonkin was always a zealous advocate for the interests of East Fremantle, supporting its fight against forced amalgamation in 1955 and between 1947 and 1953 he was President of the East Fremantle Football Club. He was a keen gardener and his rose garden was considered a showplace.
He is honoured as a Freeman of the Town.
A Heritage Council report in 2002 said the house had cultural, historic and social significance and the East Fremantle Council- under Mayor Jim O’Neill and CEO Stuart Warne -refused a request to demolish the original house. However the then Heritage Minister Tom Stephens refused to put the house on the Heritage Register and the Town Planning Appeals Tribunal allowed the demolition in 2004. The house was entered on the Municipal Heritage listing in August 2006 but was still demolished in 2007.
1950 Melville District. I have this day received the following nominations for the election of One Member for the above District: Brinkley Helen, 2 Mary-street, Fremantle; Housewife. John Trezies Tonkin, 174 Preston Point-road, East Fremantle: Schoolteacher, and hereby declare such candidates to be duly nominated. (reference)
1953 Melville District. I have this day received the following nominations for the election of One Member for the above District. John Trezise Tonkin, 174 Preston Point-road, East Fremantle, Member of Parliament. (reference)
Local folklore has it that John Tonkin had WA Tea trees planted on the terraces in front of the former State Engineering works to improve the aesthetics of the site- particularly as he had a direct view from his residence opposite in East Fremantle. Greening Australia’s main award has been named The John Tonkin Award in appreciation of his work. See the interpretation plaque on the hilltop walk in North Fremantle 2021.
RESIDENTS
1939 - 1989: John T. Tonkin, M.L.A.
