The octagonal gaol complex at Roebourne, designed in 1886, utilized locally quarried freestone and served as an early example of the infrastructure George Temple-Poole introduced to Western Australia. Throughout a period of rapid urban development, he directed the construction of government buildings that established a unifying visual language across the state during the gold boom era.
Early Career and Education
Born in 1856 in Rome, George Thomas Temple was the son of John George Temple, a British Army Lieutenant Colonel. After his father died following the Crimean War, the family returned to England where his mother remarried, leading to the adoption of the surname Temple-Poole. He attended Winchester College before gaining professional experience as an articled engineer and architect. His early work involved designing harbour facilities for the River Thames in London. Prior to his significant tenure in Australia, he spent two years practicing his profession in Ceylon.
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Appointed by the British government as a supervisor for the Public Works Department in 1885, he ascended to head of the department in 1889, later serving as assistant-engineer-in-chief and Principal Architect. His tenure coincided with the mineral wealth boom, which necessitated a massive increase in commercial and civic infrastructure. He established design standards for banks, assay offices, schools, and post offices in emerging regions such as Coolgirde, Marble Bar, and Cue. By providing permanent structures for these goldfield sites, he replaced temporary, improvised housing with established administrative centers. His design approaches ranged from the classic tradition, seen in the Lands Department building in Perth, to the Federation Arts and Crafts style utilized in railway precincts like Claremont and Walkaway.
Professional Advocacy and Civic Life
Beyond his architectural output, he was a foundational figure in the professionalization of the industry in Western Australia. In 1896, he helped found and served as president of the Western Australian Institute of Architects. His interest in urban environment extended to town planning, where he championed the 1911 "Perth as it should be" proposal. Additionally, he was the inaugural chair of the Kings Park Board, overseeing the preservation of Perth Park. His cultural contributions included founding the Wilgie Sketching Club in 1889. He unsuccessfully contested the 1902 Claremont by-election, receiving 6.5 percent of the vote.
Fast facts
- Born: 1856, Rome
- Died: 1934, Darlington
- Education: Winchester College
- Occupations: Architect, Engineer
- Notable Role: Principal Architect, Western Australia
- Buried: Karrakatta Cemetery
- Political Activity: 1902 Claremont by-election candidate
Questions readers ask
What architectural style is associated with his later work?
His designs included both the classic tradition, such as the Lands Department building, and the Federation Arts and Crafts style, evident in railway stations at Claremont and York.
Did he have a role in the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme?
Yes, he returned to the Public Works Department from 1900 to 1902 to finalize the project following the death of C.Y. O'Connor.
