Tambellup ‘house of horrors’ to be demolished after one of WA’s most gruesome murders

A “house of horrors” in a tiny Great Southern town will be demolished after the State Government cracked under increasing pressure from a grieving community. At the northern entrance to the town of Tambellup sits an unremarkable-looking home that was the scene of one of WA’s most gruesome murders. Gregory John William Quartermaine butchered family friend Wilfred Williams, 60, late one night in August 2019 in a barbaric meth-fuelled attack, while other people — including children — were inside the home. It was a killing so abhorrent that the community, from Aboriginal leaders to a police sergeant, were united in their calls for the house to be destroyed. Now those calls have been answered with a relative of Mr Williams and Great Southern elder speaking out about a Department of Communities and Minister for Housing decision to knock down the house on Garrity Street. Tambellup resident Kayleen Pickett led the community call for the demolition. With more than 1000 signatures from local supporters, the community’s request will be granted. The Department of Communities confirmed on Friday that the house will be demolished out of “recognition of the significant trauma” and “long-lasting effects on the community” associated with the property. “This decision was made after careful consideration and consultation with both the community and local stakeholders,” Department of Communities regional executive director Neila Williams said. The land will be handed over to the Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup for “for the use as culturally appropriate public open space”. While no demolition date has been set, the house and its terrifying memories are set to be gone by the end of July this year. Albany woman Dianne Williams, whose sister-in-law was the murder victim’s mother and lived in the home, said it was a “huge relief”. “It’s fantastic,” she said. “They had a petition trying to get it demolished but we never heard anything, it’ll be great, I’m very pleased.” “My sister-in-law lived in that house ... it’s closure for the community of the bad memories, every time you drove past (you were reminded) of what happened.” While no word has been said on what the land will be used for, Ms Williams said she hoped to see “a little plaque in memory” of Mr Williams. Ms Williams said Ms Pickett had been instrumental in getting the community to help one another. Goreng elder Ezzard Flowers said it was an ending to a “traumatic incident”. “It’s not about demolishing the house, it’s demolishing the trauma and emotions that were connected to the people who loved and respected both people involved in this horrific incident and it’s also representing a new beginning to focus on community healing,” he said. Mr Flowers said the “healing process” moving forward should be inclusive. “I acknowledge the decision makers and it would be good to engage with the shire, engage with elders and leaders to get something positively focused and then go from there,” he said. Mr Flowers is the cousin of the late Mr Williams, and the uncle of his murderer, Quartermaine.