The house’s architect, Eustace Cohen, immigrated to Western Australia due to ill health in 1904 and set up an architectural practice in Bunbury and Busselton. Cohen was instrumental in bringing the Arts and Crafts movement to Western Australia. The earliest examples of his work in Bunbury and Busselton display his interpretation of vernacular homes in the Arts and Crafts manner.
In 1930 Mrs Arthur Jones was living at 20 Spencer Street when her seventh daughter, Maisie, got engaged (reference).
In October 1932, an auction was held at 20 Spencer Street to sell the whole of Miss D Jones’ household furniture as she was leaving Bunbury (reference).
In April 1934, the house residents were selling a Westral Stove, and in July, they were selling a baby’s pram, kitchen table and dining room chairs (reference; reference). In October 1934, brick additions were added to 20 Spencer Street for £330 (reference).
On Wednesday 1 April 1936 at 11 am, the house was subject to a mortgagees’ sale where J E Hands auctioned it off at the Austral Chambers on Stephen Street (reference). This advertisement describes the property as being ‘portion of Leschenault location 26 being Lot 6 on Plan 763 and being the whole of the and comprised in Certificate of Title Volume 719 Folio 115, having a frontage of 100 links to Spencer Street Bunbury by a depth of 250 links, with a large brick and stone residence erected thereon. The property is situated in a desirable part of Bunbury and is in a fair state of order and repair (reference).”
Mrs W A Burnell then inhabited the property by July 1936 (reference). Along with moving into the property between April and July 1936, the family were also going through a difficult time with a family member being sick and passing at the Bunbury District Hospital (reference).
In 1937 the property came into the hands of Mr and Mrs Captain Frederick William Roberts, a local businessman and Member of Parliament (reference; reference). In April that year, his wife was looking for someone to help around the house who was a good cook (reference).
In 1940 Fred passed away (reference). His death notice detailed his life and funeral, stating: ‘The friends of the late Captain Frederick William Roberts, J. P., Manpower Officer. Bunbury District and managing Director of Thomas Hayward and Sons, Merchants, Bunbury, are respectfully informed that his remains will be interred in the Church of England portion of the Bunbury Cemetery at 3.45 o’clock this afternoon (Monday 11 November 1940). The cortege will move from his late residence, 20 Spencer Street, Bunbury at 3.30 o’clock (reference).’
The Roberts family lived at 20 Spencer Street after their husband and father passed (reference). These included Ethel Marion, Flora May, Frederick Ernest and George Frederick. In 1941 George Frederick Roberts wrote into the Western Mail about his vegetable garden at the house and that he cannot wait until his sibling Kim is old enough to help him with his garden (reference). In 1943 George also wrote into the Harvey Murray Times offering a reward for information on the vandals who ‘continuously damage cement fence of 20 Spencer Street (reference).’ This continued for years, with George offering another reward for the same incident in 1948 (reference).
In 1949 Mrs Roberts held a Cathedral Guild Garden Party, including afternoon tea and stalls to repair the Cathedral roof (reference).
In 1950 George was selling an upright C Bechstein Piano made in Berlin (reference). That year he also became engaged to Dorothy Harriett (reference). After marriage, he was looking to rent a house or flat (reference).
The house was converted from a private home into medical rooms as part of the former St John of God health care system (reference).
Currently, the property is occupied by Home Group, a house building company (reference).
Residents of 20 Spencer Street
1930 Mr and Mrs Arthur Jones
1932 Miss D Jones
1936 Mrs W A Burnell
1937-1950s Mrs and Mr Fred Roberts and children
Medical rooms - St John of God
2021 Home Group