3 Fraser Street

The house at 3 Fraser Street is a weatherboard and iron house constructed in the Federation Queen Anne architectural style.It is unclear when the house was built, but it was likely constructed shortly after Jack Buswell sold the vacant lot in September 1907. It is believed that house 3 Fraser Street was designed by prominent architect, Eustace Cohen.

Eustace Gresley Cohen (born London, 1881) was articled to Thomas Lockwood and Sons at Chester before working for Guy Dawber. He emigrated to Western Australia due to ill health in 1904 and set up practice in Bunbury and Busselton (1906-1913). He moved to Perth in 1914, where he formed a partnership with Joseph Eales, trading as Eales and Cohen. 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.

By 1931, the house was owned by Alice Miller who lived next door at 1 Fraser Street and was occupied by W J B Mickwan. In 1941, Earl Roach lived in the house. Alice Miller continued to own the house until at least the early 1950s. .

Fraser Street is possibly named for Sir Malcolm Fraser, a civil engineer and surveyor, who was appointed Surveyor-General of Western Australia in 1870. He returned to London in 1890 where he became Western Australia’s first Agent-General. The street was named by surveyor T.C. Carey.

Residents of 3 Fraser Street

1931 Alice Miller

W J B Michwan

1941 Earl Roach

More information on this property can be found at http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/

Information retrieved from Inherit with permission.