Alma Street, 2, Fremantle WA 6160
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleRON DOIG BLOCK, 2 ALMA STREETAddressFremantle Hospital 2 Alma Street FREMANTLE WA 6160Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No20114Construction Commenced1934Construction MaterialWall – BRICK: Face BrickWall – BRICK: Rendered BrickFormer W.A. Heritage ThemesSOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Community services & utilitiesStatement Of SignificanceRon Doig Block, Alma Street has historic significance for its link to the Fremantle Hospital site, which first opened as a public hospital in 1896. It has social significance as a hospital that has served both the local and wider community for over 100 years. The Ron Doig Block was the first purpose built outpatients' block.ArchaeologyConditionCondition assessed as fair to good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryThe building was constructed in 1933/34 as an outpatients' department to serve the Fremantle Hospital. The building was designed by the Public Works Department of Western Australia under the direction of architect, Mr Clare. The building was constructed by contractor H.A. Doust for a fee of £7,560.17.0. The building was named in memory of popular South Fremantle Football Captain and Coach, Ronald Oldham Doig, who died as a result of injuries received during a football match. In 1932 during a football game Doig received a blow to the head which caused a haemorrhage and resulted in his death. A foundation stone was laid on 8 October 1933, by the Minister of Works, Alexander McCallum and the building was opened by Ron Doig’s mother on 26 August 1934. A lift house was installed outside the Ron Doig Block in 1934 to lift patients from the building to the wards opposite or the operating theatre in the Knowle. The lift was replaced in the early 1950s as the existing one was dangerous and slow.Physical DescriptionRon Doig Block, 2 Alma Street is a single storey L-shaped rendered masonry and tile building. There are red face brick walls to dado height, with rendered brick walls above. The roof is hipped and gabled at one end and clad with tiles. The door under the gabled roof has a fixed pane fanlight over. There are timber framed double hung sash windows, some covered with steel barred security grilles. A steel and concrete walkway spans the roof to connect to hospital buildings behind. The steel support beams cross above the entrance door and gabled roof. Located south west of the Knowle.AssociationThe building was erected in memory of Ron Doig a football hePlace UseOriginal Use – HEALTH: Housing or QuartersOther Use – OTHER: OtherPresent Use – HEALTH: OtherIntegrity/AuthenticityHigh degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). Medium degree of authenticity with some original fabric remaining. (These statements based on street survey only).Place TypeIndividual Building or Group
Local Government Statutory Heritage Listings
Local Government Statutory Listing CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Statutory Listing TypeHeritage ListLocal Government Statutory Listing StatusYesLocal Government Statutory Listing Date8/03/2007
Local Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey
Local Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey Date18/09/2000Local Government Non-Statutory Listing Local Heritage Survey Management CategoryLevel 3
PARENT PLACE
Parent Place No22579
RELATED
Alma Street, 2, Fremantle WA 6160. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 04/04/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/26236