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.
OCTOBER Diary
Sunday 22 October 2023
Pinjarra Garden Day - @ Edenvale Heritage Precinct, Pinjarra
9am to 3pm
- Hosted by the Friends of Edenvale Association, this free event celebrates the health and well-being benefits of gardening for all ages
- With special guest speakers, demonstrations, workshops and more
- Lots of market stalls with plants, handmade arts & crafts, and garden related items
Plenty of free activities for the kids all in the grounds of the Edenvale Heritage Precinct, Pinjarra WA - Proudly supported by Shire of Murray, Lotterywest, Pinjarra Community Bank, Doral Mineral Sands, Baileys, Benara Nurseries and the Edenvale Heritage Precinct
- It's not just market stalls and plants, bring the whole family along
HISTORY of INTEREST …
Fairbridge Farm - 1926
Do you know … Where the children came from and how selected?
(Excerpts from the Fairbridge Farm School Magazine 1926)
“The object of the Child Emigration Society is to provide emigration plus education, adjusted to agricultural and domestic life for children maintained by the State and other Public Bodies, or children orphaned, destitute or chargeable to the “Poor Law”. In these words the Founder, Mr Kingsley Fairbridge, made clear the type of children he had in view when creating the first Farm School at Pinjarra in Western Australia.
Of the children now at Fairbridge, many have come from Poor Law Authorities, exchanging the boarding-out system in Great Britain for the Farm School in sunny Australia. Others have come through great Philanthropic Agencies, like the Barnardo Homes, others again have been rescued from slum life and poverty-stricken areas in cities and country districts.
The Society seeks to help the children in every way, and finds from experience that children born in unfavourable conditions and reared in areas arresting development can grow into normally healthy youth and maturity when transplanted to their spacious sunny Farm School, with its congenial environment, healthy occupations and the fostering care of house-mothers in their Cottage Homes.”
​Fairbridge Farm today
The history of Fairbridge Farm has a place on the shelves in the Murray Districts Historical Society. There is much to know and ponder throughout the years – if you are interested to learn and discover more, come along to the Old Schoolmaster’s House at Edenvale Historical Precinct.
APRIL 2024 Diary
FAIRBRIDGE FESTIVAL is back for 2024
5-7 April 2024
held @ Edenvale Heritage Precinct, Pinjarra
(as Published by the Shire of Murray)
FolkWorld Inc is thrilled to announce that Fairbridge Festival will return in full swing in 2024, with an exceptional new location.
The three-day event, proudly supported by the Shire of Murray, will be held at the Edenvale Heritage Precinct, Pinjarra, from 5-7 April 2024, marking the first change in location since the festival began in 1993.
FolkWorld Inc. General Manager Lloyd Sabin said that after an extensive search for a pilot venue, the Shire of Murray’s proposal to use Edenvale Heritage Precinct perfectly captured the essence of the festival.
“We are so excited to be holding our much-loved music festival at a fresh new location on the fringe of the Pinjarra township. We’re looking forward to bringing our long-standing Fairbridge Festival community back together again and working with the Shire of Murray and the local community and businesses of Pinjarra to make this a memorable experience,” Mr Sabin said.
“While the site will look a little different next year, we are bringing back the best of the past with an eye clearly on the future.
“Our family-friendly essence, traditions and strong foundation of exceptional programming, inclusivity and community engagement creates a magical event for all ages,” he said.
Located just five kilometres from the original festival site, Pinjarra is less than an hour’s drive, and easily accessible from the metropolitan areas of Perth and Bunbury.
Shire of Murray President, Councillor David Bolt, said this accessibility and the local community’s adventurous spirit make it the perfect location.
“We are delighted to be hosting the 2024 Fairbridge Festival to make this a fantastic celebration of music, arts and community,” said Councillor Bolt.
“Events play a critical role in making the Murray Region a great place to live, work and visit and in achieving our community’s social, cultural and economic ambitions. The festival will provide our residents and visitors an exciting experience that showcases Pinjarra’s creative culture and wild at heart spirit.
“We are very pleased that FolkWorld has the confidence in us as a community to deliver such an iconic event on the Western Australian cultural calendar. At the Shire, we look forward to playing our part so the event goes from strength to strength,” Councillor Bolt said.
Murray Districts Historical Society continues to hold interesting events throughout the year, so watch this space for the next event!
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.
