Gnowangerup History

A brief outline of Mr. Albert Pratt - Proprietor of Pratt’s plumbing in Gnowangerup 1915 - 1950s
Albert Pratt came to Gnowangerup with his father William Pratt amd mother Sarah Elizabeth Pratt prior to 1915. His father was in the building and plumbing trade. Advert for Pratt’s plumbing and tinsmith were placed in the Gnowangerup times as early as 1914.
It is believed that Albert Pratt carried the first bag of wheat of wheat at the Gnowangerup railway station.
Albert carried on the plumbing business as his father started in Gnowangerup, for many years.In 1923 while still in the plumbing trade
Albert was also instrumental in supplying electricity to the town of Gnowangerup Dash DC current.

The residential building was close to the new new playground, situated approximately where number 2 and 3 residential units are now located.

The old Catholic Church was in front of the residence facing the street. The powerhouse was approximately where the ablution block is now for the new playground bracket not far from Jena house, now the Grace family residence bracket. The fly wheel for the power engine measured a massive 16 feet.
Albert also ran the silent movies in the Gnowangerup Hall on a weekly basis. Admission was two shillings for adults and six pence for children.
1929 - Pratt’s Plumbing advertised the availability of stoves, separators, motor spirits, oils, petrol, coolers. baths and showers.
March 1930 - Albert applied for a 12 month lease on the hall to continue showing pictures and he advised the public via the Gnowangerup Star that electricity would be available to the consumers 24 hours a day commencing on Monday the 31st.
The current was being produced at the cheapest rate possible and did not cover the cost of labor so the length of supply under these terms would depend on the consumers.
April saw the departure of the Allardyce family after 26 years in the district and Albert supplied the music for dancing using his theatre-phone at their farewell gathering in the Memorial Hall.
August saw the local baker GH Bennett’s and Family leave the district and it was mentioned that Albert Pratt was now the last of the “Old Originals” left and it look like he was here to stay.

A man with many hats, Albert was assistant secretary to the Gnowangerup Hospital Board and together with E. Rowe embarked on a fundraising venture to purchase an X-ray machine for the hospital.
In March 1934 Albert reported in the Gnowangerup Star 450 pounds worth of damage had been done to his power plant (a piston threw a bearing) and that he would use a tractor borrowed from the Pozzi family to supply electricity to the town until his engine could be repaired.
In 1935 Albert was still running the plumbing business, supplying electric electricity to the town and operating Pratt’s Pictures. In November of this year the Gnowangerup Roads Board offered Albert a 15 year contract to continue supplying the town with electricity.

1935 June - Gnowangerup Star advert: Pratt’s Plumbing announced additions would be made to his premises in Allardyce Street by adding a show room for his products which were many, and also Pratt’s Pictures advertised the talking movies were coming, commencing 16 July.
In 1946 Albert’s father died. His mother had passed away some years earlier.
1955 saw the power change over to AC current. The Gnowangerup Roads board eventually purchase the power supply plant from Albert and a traveling picture show came to Gnowangerup showing pictures outdoors, but an advert in the 1958 Gnowangerup Star shows the Lyric tea rooms proprietors as A. & J. Pratt.

ALBERT PRATT ADVERT 1937 #6