This was a vacant block for many years until Geff Sedovic and Gary Keys built the towns first laundromat, surf shop and natural food restaurant called Country Kitchen in 1978.
People involved in this operation were Di and Rob Conneely, Mark and Leslie Heussenstamm, Rick and Kerrie Gath, C. and N. Strong and Barry Hughes. Also involved in 1987 were Jan Davies, Noel Bevis and Jenny Crackett.
In 1990 Ian Traill Adkins bought this site for his wife Elizabeth Adkins, knowing he had not long to live.
In 2000 Elizabeth and her son Graeme Adkins began to plan for a new building at street level, engaging architects Christou Design Group. This was to be a French inspired 2 storey building with 2 apartments at the top, Deco (art deco inspired) and Marine (for the French explorers who came to this region).
Underneath at street level there was provision for 2 shops and 1 cafe which became the French inspired Dome Cafe for 20 years. The building was completed in 2003.
Sadly Graeme died in April 2022 and Elizabeth, now 82, decided she must sell to new owners, who would continue this very successful enterprise. [1]
[1]: Information supplied by Elizabeth Adkins
The Bramley school, the group settlement building, the blacksmith workshop and the other buildings offer an insight into the history of early life in the district and the families that once lived and worked the land.
For opening hours and more information about The Old Settlement and the Margaret River Historical Society visit mrdhs.com.au
References
Reference map of Margaret River with site numbers
Margaret River Town 1894-1984 by Mavis Wise
Margaret River Stories by Guy Jennings, ISBN 9780646575346
A History of the Catholic Community of Margaret River District by Merilyn Hutton
Margaret River & District Historical Society photo collection
John Alferink from my recollections of the town after being in the area for over 68 years, John Alferink 2021