The house that Jack built BY LLOYD GORMAN
AT ABOUT 108 YEARS OLD, THE SMALL COTTAGE THAT IS DUFFY HOUSE IN WOODVALE IS THOUGHT TO BE THE OLDEST SURVIVING BUILDING IN THE CITY OF JOONDALUP. IT CERTAINLY HAS A LONG AND SIGNIFICANT HISTORY IN THE LOCALITY AND STRONG IRISH HERITAGE AS THE FOLLOWING STORY (‘DUFFY HOUSE BROUGHT BACK FROM THE BRINK’) – WHICH WAS FIRST PUBLISHED TWO YEARS AGO IN THE SEPTEMBER EDITION OF IRISH SCENE – REVEALS. AT THAT TIME THE STATE GOVERNMENT STUMPED UP MONEY TO RESTORE AND RENOVATE THE LIMESTONE STRUCTURE THAT HAD FALLEN ON HARD TIMES AND WAS IN DANGER OF BEING LOST ENTIRELY. Between 2019 and 2020 Joondalup council used this grant to carry out ‘stage one’ of restoration. These works included putting in a security fencing (to help prevent anti-social behaviour happening in the house), partial demolition and remedial works of the ‘Old Dairy’ and the installation of power, water and communications services. The roof was also replaced and other structural repairs were carried out while new window were fitted. An access road, car park and bollards also went in. Now the council is moving ahead with stage 2 having carried out community consultation between July and August of this year. Amongst those given a say are residents and landowners within 500 metres of Duffy House, Wanneroo Historical Society and members of the Duffy family. That feedback will go 34 | THE IRISH SCENE
into the council’s deliberations for what will happen there. But the kinds of things being mooted range from a long tree lined entry corridor, Noongar ‘six season’ garden, tree decking around an existing feature tree, shared pedestrian/cycle paths, heritage interpretation of the ‘Old Diary’ and a pop up event space close to the house. Options for Duffy House itself include turning it into a commercial café, restaurant or wine bar or an art gallery/studio space or even as a museum. The area around the house could be used to host weddings, cultural activities and events or seasonal markets and bush tucker tours. All these developments are seen as essential to giving the Irish built homestead a long term future.
