History and background
Minnawarra Community House is run by a not for profit organization called the Roberta Jull Child Care Association named after Dr Roberta Jull who lived and worked in Armadale (on the site of the Minnawarra Park) from 1877 to 1961. Roberta Fergusson-Stewart qualified as a doctor at Glasgow University and graduated in 1869. A year later, she left Scotland and came to join her brothers in their medical practice in Guilford north of Perth. A year later she opened her own practice and was the first woman to do so in the metropolitan area.
Roberta Fergusson-Stewart married Martin Jull in 1898; a chief clerk in the Department for Railway Construction who later became the first public service commissioner.
In 1893, Armadale resident, Martin Edward Jull (who was to become the first Public Service Commissioner in WA), planted a large commercial vineyard in partnership with Dr Ferguson Stewart, and imported the first cabernet sauvignon and malbec grapes into the State. This vineyard, built on hill terraces just outside Armadale was called Brookside later named Derry Na Sura – Gaelic words for, 'Valley of the Vine'. Over the following thirty years, the Julls’ became major producers and exporters of wine. At its peak in 1928, the vineyard produced 800,000 gallons.
Roberta and Martin had one daughter Henrietta Drake-Brockman (the distinguished author and historian) When Martin died in 1917 Roberta resumed her medical work. She worked for the Department of Public Health as a Medical Officer for schools for eleven years. Roberta was a member of The Child Protection Society and established Infant Heath Centers in the area for, “keeping children well”.
Although retired from medical practice in 1928 Roberta campaigned for the good health of women and children by having a representation on many associated committees. As a member of the senate of the University of Western Australia (UWA) Roberta was a delegate to the League of Nations.
When Brookside was sold to Warden Owen its name was changed to Minnawarra (a Nyoongar aboriginal word meaning; sacred place) Once more the property was sold and orange trees were planted. The Armadale Council bought the land for 5,500 pounds for community purposes in the 1950’s.
In the late 1970’s The Armadale Child Care Association (forerunner of the Roberta Jull Child Care Association) applied for funds from the commonwealth and state governments to sponsor two child care centers and a Family Day Care Scheme. At this time too, the Roberta Jull Child Care Association received a state government grant to occupy and up-grade an old orchard home (formerly belonging to the Scidone family).The RJCCA turned the house into a Community House and called the old house Minnawarra House. A new road cutting called Orchard Avenue, was made alongside the side of the house. This community house was officially opened in 1988 and received grants through the Department of Community Services Family Support Program to support families and children in the area. Later on, a Youth and Family Counseling Service provided counseling for young people 12-18 years. This service was run from the house. During this time the Roberta Jull Child Care association was renamed The Roberta Jull Community Care Association.
A notice of demolition to demolish Minnawarra House was served on the RJCCA in 2003. The State Government allocated the site of Minnawarra House for building a new Woolworths shopping centre complex. Minnawarra House was relocated to the Reg Williams Pavillion (for a Youth Driver Training Program run by the Armadale Police) on the Reg Williams Reserve in Numalgi Street where it is now.
