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.
VOLUNTEERS … would you like to become one too?
We 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 available to members. All visitors are welcome to browse our collections during our ‘open’ hours or by appointment.
Events in 2024
JUNE 2024
Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2024 – PINJARRA FESTIVAL
”Gather the family and head to Pinjarra on Saturday 1 June and Sunday 2 June for the 2024 Pinjarra Festival!
Murray's largest, free community event, is set to entertain the whole family with an exciting line-up of acts, activities and attractions including live music, market stalls, vintage car and machinery displays, wine tasting shed, woodturning demonstrations and food trucks.”
(Murray Shire Council website)
Note:
- Food and Meal Bookings – Edenvale ph: 0433 745 300
- All General Enquiries – Dwellingup Visitors Centre ph: (08) 9538 1108
- Historical Enquiries & Material – MDHS (Val King) ph: 0458 673 608
Murray Districts Historical Society will be open the whole weekend 10am to 4pm.
Interesting Fact - 11th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF)
The 11th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) holds a significant place in history.
One of the most iconic images from World War I features the original officers and men of the 11th Battalion, 3rd Brigade AIF, gathered on the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) near Mena camp in Egypt. This photograph was taken on January 10, 1915. The image shows 704 men standing on the pyramid, right before many of them headed to Gallipoli.
The image is available for viewing at the Murray Districts Historical Society
To facilitate the identification of the soldiers in this historic photograph, it has been divided into grid sections, with each soldier numbered. There are 704 men in this copy of the photo, although a few are not sufficiently clear for identification due to being obscured or not fully captured in the photograph. Here’s how the grid numbering works:
- Unidentified soldiers are numbered in WHITE text.
- Identified soldiers who are yet to be 100% verified are in YELLOW text.
- Identified and verified soldiers are in GREEN text.
- Soldiers known to have been killed in action (KIA), died of wounds (DOW), or died of sickness (DOS) as a result of their service in the 11th Battalion are marked with a poppy1.
Murray Districts Historical Society has a large format photo of the Pyramid at the Old Schoolmasters House in Henry Street, on display. We are interested in finding out how many Locals were pictured on the Pyramid and happened to them.
Can also can search on Google for further details.
(Article submitted by Merv Beacham)
Other projects, meetings and tours are advertised closer to the date in the Community Newspaper.
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:
- ANZAC
- 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.
