MURRAY DISTRICTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Located at the Old Schoolmaster's House, Edenvale Heritage Precinct, Pinjarra.
Our volunteers are there to greet you on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am – 3 pm, or by appointment.
The aim of the Historical Society is to research, collect, maintain and share stories of the Murray District that stretches from North Dandalup to Coolup, from West Murray to Dwellingup – and including the vibrant town of Pinjarra. We have a well maintained local history library, interesting displays and a large collection of photographs, documents, and display books.
We also have a strong membership of enthusiastic people and are always looking for additional members to join us. If you have a love of history, in particular of the Murray District, or if you have information to share, please visit us. And if you like what you see, consider becoming a member of our group. Our general meetings with a guest speaker are open to visitors. Other events, including bus trips, are usually restricted to members. All visitors are welcome to browse our collections during our ‘open’ hours or by appointment.
Diary Note:
The Convict Interest Group of Family History WA will visit Pinjarra on Sunday July 9, 2023.
We thank the Murray Districts Historical Society and Merv Beacham who will host and assist with the organisation of the day.
Interested locals are invited to join us for this free event below:
Programme for the day:
We will assemble in St Johns Church by 10.45am for an 11.00am start.
- Guest Speaker, Ron Richards, renown local historian and author of:
- “The Murray District of Western Australia: A History”
- “Murray and Mandurah”
A Sequel History of the Old Murray District of Western Australia will give a short talk on early landowners of the district.
An overview of the large number of convict men with a connection to the district and the contribution they made to its development will follow.
- Guest Speaker, Irma Walter, author and researcher will talk on the puzzle of a convict who spent many years in the district, but whose name does not appear in transcribed convict records. John Witchell lived the last 20 years of his life as a gardener at Theodore Fawcett’s in Pinjarra.
- Neil Bradley, who is spearheading the development of the WA Convict website, www.waconvicts.fhwa.org.au will introduce and demonstrate this valuable addition to the resources available to researchers interested in this important era in Western Australian history.
- Convict Group Convenor, Bevan Carter will use the website to tell the story of William Calverley Bateman, a convict who spent 30 years in Pinjarra and is buried, probably near the graves of two of his wives in St John’s cemetery.
Lunch - Around 12.30pm - we will walk across the road to the historic Edenvale Precinct for a simple lunch. If you wish to join us for lunch the cost will be $15.00 per person, payable in advance.
From 1.30pm onwards The Murray Districts Historical Society will be offering guided walks through town, (weather dependant), and the Museum will be open until 3.00pm.
This event is free, and we welcome those interested in this aspect of the Pinjarra and Murray Districts History to join us.
Register your interest in attending via email to convicts.sig@fhwa.org.au
(Please include your phone number in the email.)
(Article submitted by Mervyn Beacham)
Note: There is more to read on our Local History
so do come along to the Murray Districts Historical Society and see what is available.
Follow our monthly articles in the Community Newspaper for more information about the history of Pinjarra and the heritage buildings of the Murray District. And we always welcome any stories or photos you are willing to share with us.
Visit us to view our current photographic displays:
- Festivals and Events in Murray Districts
- Coolup Farms and Families
- Coolup Sports and Social
- Alcoa
- North Dandalup
Follow our monthly articles in the Community Newspaper for more information about the history of Pinjarra and the heritage buildings of the Murray District. And we always welcome any stories or photos you are willing to share with us.
And we welcome new members.
For information about the Murray Districts Historical Society, its membership and its activities, please contact
Anne Cubitt – Secretary mdhspinjarra@outlook.com
For assistance with research or general questions about local history, contact Merv Beacham on 0417 986 838, or Val King on 0458 673 608
For more photos and stories of the rich history of the Murray, look at our Website murrayhistory.org.au/home or visit us at the Old Schoolmaster’s House within the Edenvale Heritage Precinct.
