In 1896 a petition was raised by Chittering residents to succeed from the Gingin Road Board, and as a result the Chittering Brook Road Board was formed. The first meetings were held at the now demolished hall along Mooliabeene Road, between Crest Hill Road and Mooliabeene Railway Station.
In 1928, thirty-two years after the formation of the road board, it was decided that an office be built on a location more central than where the old hall had been. In April of that year the erection of the offices at Chittering was approved as a work within the meaning of the Act, for which, money could be borrowed under the Statute by the Road Board. In July that year notice was given that the Board proposed to borrow £600 for the erection of offices at Chittering and the public was advised that plans, specifications and an estimate of the cost were available for inspection. The loan was raised on 13 September 1928 and the balance sheet for the year ending June 1929 lists expenditure of £275 to the contractor and £50 for stone, sand etc. The balance sheet for the year ending June 1930 lists an office building valued at £700 as part of the Road Board’s assets.
The final location for the Chittering Road Board is in what is now known as the Brockman Centre. Close to Chittering hall and Holy Trinity Church, location 1371 – the title belonging to local Chittering farmer Michael Lewis Ferguson – was chosen, as it was the central meeting place for the district at the time. We have no idea the exact nature of the agreement between Ferguson and the Road Board; however, we do know that the office was built upon a section that had been sub-divided in 1919. Last used for civic purposes in 1964 when shires where introduced the building is now in private hands.
To learn more bout the history of the Shire read, Chittering: From Exploration to Shire, by Bruce Buchanan. We have a copy at the museum so feel free to say hello and have a browse.