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BUILDING HISTORY

Construction of the St George’s Cathedral began in 1879, being completed and consecrated in 1888. The design was shaped by the architectural vision of Edmund Thomas Blacket, showcasing his mastery of the Victorian Academic / Gothic Revival style with its intricate brickwork and stone trimmings sourced from local materials, with some unique flourishes from the UK and Europe.

ARCHITECTURAL PRESTIGE

Born in England, Edmund Blacket came to Australia in 1842, becoming a respected architect in New South Wales. In 1878, he was approached to design a new cathedral, which would become his only work in Western Australia. Blacket passed away in 1883, before the cathedral was finished.

He originally planned to use New Zealand Kauri for the ceiling but was persuaded to use local Jarrah instead. This required an innovative approach: the Jarrah was submerged in the Swan River for two years to soften it for bending and carving.

THE PROJECT CONTINUES

After Blacket's death, his sons continued his architectural legacy. Cyril Blacket joining the firm and contributing to the completion of ongoing projects.

The Cathedral underwent several modifications in the early twentieth century, including the addition of the square castellated bell tower — designed by Talbot Hobbs — in 1902 to commemerate the passing of Queen Victoria.

BURT MEMORIAL HALL

Septimus Burt (1847-1919), lawyer, politician and grazier, donated the The Burt Memorial Hall, dedicated in memory of Theodore and Francis Burt who died in World War I.

The Soldiers’ Memorial Chapel is built of Donnybrook stone and brick and was completed in 1923.

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The Diocese was the first in the world to have a female Anglican Archbishop.

BUILDING HISTORY

Construction of the St George’s Cathedral began in 1879, being completed and consecrated in 1888. The design was shaped by the architectural vision of Edmund Thomas Blacket, showcasing his mastery of the Victorian Academic / Gothic Revival style with its intricate brickwork and stone trimmings sourced from local materials, with some unique flourishes from the UK and Europe.

ARCHITECTURAL PRESTIGE

Born in England, Edmund Blacket came to Australia in 1842, becoming a respected architect in New South Wales. In 1878, he was approached to design a new cathedral, which would become his only work in Western Australia. Blacket passed away in 1883, before the cathedral was finished.

He originally planned to use New Zealand Kauri for the ceiling but was persuaded to use local Jarrah instead. This required an innovative approach: the Jarrah was submerged in the Swan River for two years to soften it for bending and carving.

THE PROJECT CONTINUES

After Blacket's death, his sons continued his architectural legacy. Cyril Blacket joining the firm and contributing to the completion of ongoing projects.

The Cathedral underwent several modifications in the early twentieth century, including the addition of the square castellated bell tower — designed by Talbot Hobbs — in 1902 to commemerate the passing of Queen Victoria.

BURT MEMORIAL HALL

Septimus Burt (1847-1919), lawyer, politician and grazier, donated the The Burt Memorial Hall, dedicated in memory of Theodore and Francis Burt who died in World War I.

The Soldiers’ Memorial Chapel is built of Donnybrook stone and brick and was completed in 1923.

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The Diocese was the first in the world to have a female Anglican Archbishop.
PROJECT TIMELINE
1987

First masonry works completed

Conservation works to the bricks, the brick pointing and stonework for Ron Bodycoat, the architect.

PROJECT TIMELINE
2006-2007

Major structural works

Extensive preservation works, including re-roofing in slate with associated leadwork, all copper rainwater goods, gutters and downpipes.

PROJECT TIMELINE
2011-2013

Burt Hall refurbishment

Restoration of Burt Memorial Hall, including a new Welsh slate roof to match the Cathedral, and The (Old) Deanery, now the hub of the Cathedral administration.

PROJECT TIMELINE
2017

Burt Hall sculptures

Hard and soft landscaping works to the grounds.

PROJECT TIMELINE
2020

Cathedral underfloor HVAC

Installing subfloor airconditioning.

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BUILDING HISTORY

Construction of the St George’s Cathedral began in 1879, being completed and consecrated in 1888. The design was shaped by the architectural vision of Edmund Thomas Blacket, showcasing his mastery of the Victorian Academic / Gothic Revival style with its intricate brickwork and stone trimmings sourced from local materials, with some unique flourishes from the UK and Europe.

ARCHITECTURAL PRESTIGE

Born in England, Edmund Blacket came to Australia in 1842, becoming a respected architect in New South Wales. In 1878, he was approached to design a new cathedral, which would become his only work in Western Australia. Blacket passed away in 1883, before the cathedral was finished.

He originally planned to use New Zealand Kauri for the ceiling but was persuaded to use local Jarrah instead. This required an innovative approach: the Jarrah was submerged in the Swan River for two years to soften it for bending and carving.

THE PROJECT CONTINUES

After Blacket's death, his sons continued his architectural legacy. Cyril Blacket joining the firm and contributing to the completion of ongoing projects.

The Cathedral underwent several modifications in the early twentieth century, including the addition of the square castellated bell tower — designed by Talbot Hobbs — in 1902 to commemerate the passing of Queen Victoria.

BURT MEMORIAL HALL

Septimus Burt (1847-1919), lawyer, politician and grazier, donated the The Burt Memorial Hall, dedicated in memory of Theodore and Francis Burt who died in World War I.

The Soldiers’ Memorial Chapel is built of Donnybrook stone and brick and was completed in 1923.

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The Cathedral 
District

Colgan has completed multiple major and minor projects in the Cathedral Precincts over nearly 40 years, when founder Martin Colgan carried out conservation works to the bricks, the brick pointing and stonework for Ron Bodycoat the architect.
These minor works expanded to include the excavation and subsequent waterproofing of the Soldier's Chapel — with Nathan and Daniel Colgan spending their entire holidays hand digging around the Chapel to allow the torch-on membrane to be applied.
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As a place of sacred importance to many Perth residents, we’ve ensured that even during major works, the Cathedral could remain open to the public throughout — except for short periods such as when we sanded the floors, and installed mezzanine scaffolding.

During major works in 2005, Colgan arranged the supply and install of a new bronze fleche at the crossing of the Cathedral, Helifixing of the main arches, and conservation works to all leadlight windows.

“The ornate window panels are even more impressive close-up. All the intricate stained glass was hand-cleaned with Johnson's baby shampoo.”
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“Martin and the Very Reverend John Shepherd, Dean of the Cathedral, had a strong bond. The Rev was a real character  — always playfully taking the piss out of dad’s Yorkshire accent. A mad Essendon supporter, the Dean would fly the Bomber's flag from the main tower after a win on the weekend.”
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We installed various earthquake mitigation measures including new structural steel columns to the eastern elevation, roof tie downs, truss brackets and post tensioned boss and cabling in the crossing of the Cathedral. The entire project took approx 18 months to complete and many strong relationships were forged with Very Reverend John Shepherd, Dean of the Cathedral.

In 2011 we completed restoration works both internally and externally to The Deanery which sits adjacent to the Cathedral.

In 2020, we installed a major new subfloor airconditioning system throughout the Cathedral and Chancel — including the installation of a sub-floor air-conditioning system with custom made Jarrah floor vents.

Colgan is continually carrying out smaller projects and maintenance across the Cathedral precinct buildings.

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Craft in every material

The restoration and refurbishment of Burt Hall included re-roofing (slate, lead and copper rainwater goods), the repointing of all brickwork and stonework, conservation works to all timber elements in the ceiling.

But beyond wood, stone and steel, we also delivered all new soft and hard external landscaping around the Cathedral and Burt Hall. The Deanery Gardens was completed in October 2017 and is the final link to the Cathedral Precinct. Extensive landscaping works to the forecourt now houses the billowing sculpture  ‘Ascalon’.

AWARDS & RECOGNITON

2008

Winner of MBA Excellence Awards - Division 1 Restoration & Renovation

2008

Winner of Australian Institute of Architects, George Temple Poole Award

2008

Winner of Heritage Council of WA, Heritage Conservation Awards

Project Contributors
Heritage Architect

Ron Bodycoat Architects (1987)
Hocking Heritage Architects (2005-2010)
Palassis Architects (2011-Current)

Structural Engineer

Ian Maitland (OAM)

Builder

Colgan Industries