MURRAY DISTRICTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Located at the Old Schoolmaster's House, Edenvale Heritage Precinct, Pinjarra.
Opening hours from 11am to 3pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Photographic Display – at the Old Schoolmaster’s House
Visit us to view photos and stories of:
- the former timber towns of the Dwellingup / Dandalup regions: Holyoake, Banksiadale, Marrinup and Whittaker’s Mill.
- the history and evolution of the Exchange Hotel
- the history and restoration of the St John’s Church
- the history and re-use of the Pinjarra Courthouse
and many other photos and documents of the rich history of the Murray District.
DIARY NOTES:
The Society bus tour held on Monday 8th July presented a sunny clear day in Bunbury making the trip very pleasant to King Cottage Museum where we enjoyed local Bunbury history and a welcoming morning tea as guests of the Bunbury Historical Society.
King Cottage was built around 1880 by Henry King and was owned by his family until 1923 when it was sold to the Carlson family. In 1966 it was purchased by the city of Bunbury and subsequently leased to the Bunbury Historical Society. The rooms of the cottage are furnished to fit the period from the 1880’s to the 1950’s. The artefacts displayed – inside the house and within the grounds – are part of the Society’s collection reflecting the way of life for a family in Bunbury during that period.
From there the tour visited St Mark’s (Old Picton) Church. Built in 1842 using wattle and daub construction, it is WA’s second-oldest church. Although our visit was restricted to the grave yard as the Church is now closed following vandalism to the building earlier this year, the grounds and exterior were well worthwhile viewing.
The bus tour ventured to Harvey with a delicious lunch at Stirling Cottage (Harvey Visitors’ Centre) and a visit to the Harvey Internment Camp Memorial Shrine.
“The Hills of Harvey form a fitting background to a memorial built by local people in 1992, as a reminder of an event that took place during the Second World War which affected so many lives.
During the 1930’s many people left Italy for a better life in Australia and America, but suddenly they became caught up in Wartime matters in Australia. On 10th June 1940 Italy sided with Germany in the War forming the Axis Alliance. This automatically put them in conflict with Australia. Previously Italian immigrants had considered Australia to be a safe haven, however on 11th June 1940, when Italy entered the War, they found themselves suddenly classified as ‘Enemy Aliens’. What followed was large scale internment of Italian and other “Aliens” into camps in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. In 1940, an internment camp was established in Harvey known as Camp 11. It was surrounded by high barbed wire fence topped with rolled barbed wire which definitely separated the men who occupied the camp from freedom.”
A very informative Memorial and it was worthwhile taking the journey to Harvey to experience this side of our history before returning to Pinjarra.
AGM - Wednesday, 28th August – 7pm – 9pm held at Murray Library, Pinjarra.
Guest Speaker, Richard Offen (Historian, Author and Broadcaster)
We are looking forward to our 11th Annual General Meeting, the commencement of a new financial year, a re-vitalised committee and interesting activities for all. Robert Nicholson AO, President of the Royal WA Historical Society will be joining us and will address the meeting. Guest speaker, Richard Offen, will speak on the subject: ‘Don’t Let Them Do It Again! - A Look at the Changing Attitudes to the Demolition of Historic Buildings.’
Attendance at the meeting costs $2 for members and $5 for visitors. Supper will follow the meeting. This is also an opportunity to become a member or renew your annual membership - $20 per person, $30 per couple and $50 corporate membership. Visitors should register their interest in attending the meeting with Secretary Dawn Hodgkinson by phone 0438 979 200 or email Dawn on led.zep@live.com.au
Copies of the Murray Districts Historical Society Calendar of Events for the remainder of 2019 are available at the Old Schoolmaster’s House and in the Pinjarrah Room, Edenvale Homestead.
In the meantime, look at our Website murrayhistory.org.au/home for more information.
Do you have an interest in the history of Pinjarra and the Murray Districts?
We are always looking for more volunteers to assist with the opening hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 3pm and with our various projects.
If you would like to become one of our volunteers, please advise
Jill on 0408 846 567 or by email alanjill37@hotmail.com
For information about the Murray Districts Historical Society, its membership and its activities, please visit us at Edenvale during opening hours or contact Dawn Hodgkinson, Secretary by email led.zep@live.com.au