Birtwistle Local Studies Library
Darjeeling is a heritage listed private residence situated on Brookton Highway in Roleystone.
Originally built by the Dargen family in the 1930s, Darjeeling was established as a soldiers’ convalescent home where the men could live under the nursing supervision of Mrs Dargen and her family. Unfortunately, after a fall and breaking her leg, Mrs Dargen could no longer run the convalescent home and it became a guest house c.1934-35.
The building itself was designed by architects Bownass & West. Darjeeling is reputed to be the largest domestic structure made entirely of jarrah. It is in the English Arts and Craft style with jarrah fixtures and fittings. There is a unique ingle-nooked fireplace which is in the main room of the house. The home consists of two floors with the main part of the house on an upper floor at ground level at the front and due to an incline at the rear of the building a second storey was built. There are four other residences on the property – West End, Drogheda, the Cave and Mullafin.
Darjeeling was sold to Miss Lefroy in the early 1940s who had bought the house for her friend Sister Kate, administrator of the Sister Kate’s Childrens Home. From 1942-1944 some twenty Aboriginal children of mixed parentage lived there having been evacuated from Perth in case of bombing by the Japanese. At this time the building was known as Memorial Cottage. Also during World War Two Darjeeling was used as a Doctor’s surgery then a shop.
By 1946 the property was on the market and was sold to Bill and Wirlie (Eva) Moore. Bill and his wife Wirlie, were involved in the Roleystone Community through their charity work, the local church and local theatre group. Darjeeling also hosted the Choral & Dramatic Society who met in the drawing room. The Moores converted West End into two flats and added on at East End which was under the old washhouses and kitchen.
The author Ernestine Hill lived for a time at Darjeeling (Mullatin), using it as a refuge when things got rough. Ernestine did a lot of her writing there with Bill and Wirlie assisting her with the organisation of her writing, scripts and manuscripts and storing them. They also read her work and acted as her editors.
Another regular guest at Darjeeling was children’s author Isobel Weir.
When the Moores sold Darjeeling as Bill had a country posting, the Mitchell family moved in and lived there for a couple of years. Mr Mitchell started the local Roleystone Bush Fire Brigade and the very first meeting was held at Darjeeling.
The Want family came to Darjeeling after the Mitchells and used the property to grow passionfruit which was sold to the Passiona Company. The family moved on after a few years.
Bill and Wirlie Moore came back from the country and purchased Darjeeling for a second time and remained there until selling to Patrick and Beverley Weir in 1970, who continued the tradition of the home being available for long term tenancy. The Weirs initiated Darjeeling Day which celebrates the history of the property. The property is currently retained by Patrick Weir and Maggie Burke.
Darjeeling is both National Trust and State Heritage listed.