Heritage Buildings and Gardens
The grounds are open to the public at all times, with the foyer open Monday to Friday. Please respect the variety and diversity of people you meet here and remember for many it is a place of work or learning.
Unisex toilets are next to the foyer; the universal access toilet near the Church Gallery requires a key from the Admin Office.
The Buildings
The Old Hospital Heritage Precinct includes 8 heritage listed buildings.
Read about the history of and changes to the buildings here.
The Gardens
The grounds of the Old Hospital form the surrounds of the Community Centre and are linked to the town library by the Federation Park garden. They provide a welcoming and much used quiet, green space close to the CBD, and a refuge for small native wildlife such as our resident bandicoots and skinks.
The Community Centre gardens are an eclectic mixture which give a period setting to the historic group settlement buildings.
Landscaped areas include cottage gardens; the grass courtyard with deciduous trees and seating areas; indigenous plantings within the child care zone; and a memorial rose garden.
Art installations contribute to the ambience.
A small kitchen garden provides fresh herbs and greens for the twice-weekly Soup Kitchen held at the Community Centre, and gives the children from the child care centre an opportunity to have first-hand experience of organic food growing as a part of their sustainability focus.
Rain gardens and a 100 000L water tank contribute to improved water efficiencies. Organic processes are generally used around the Community Centre and food waste from the child care centre and the soup kitchen is composted in our compost bins and small worm farm.
Old Hospital Heritage Trail
We invite you to wander through the grounds and learn a little about the Old Hospital. Pick up a brochure from the front verandah of the Main Building and scan the QR code for photos and stories.
Community Centre Art Walk
Coming soon…a self-guided wander through the grounds, describing the art at the Community Centre.
Organic Garden Trail
Margaret River Community Centre is proud to be a part of the South West’s Organic Garden Trail.
Heritage Rose Garden
The Heritage Rose Garden features a water bath scultpture honouring the women of the Margaret River district and our gardener works wonders creating rose blooms across the seasons. Please take some time to enjoy this space.
The Soupie Garden
Garden Gate by Rebecca Cool
A vibrant Rebecca Cool metalwork gate marks the entrance to the Soupie Kitchen Garden, otherwise tucked away between two wings at the back of the Main Building.
Sheltered from strong winds, the garden provides salad greens, garlic, herbs and seasonal crops destined straight for the Soupie pots.
Indigenous Zone
Working closely with Wardandi locals, the Community Centre for Children have established an Indigenous garden. The children also love their interactive cultural water garden inspired by the Rainbow Serpent.
