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Dalgety House Museum

Phone: +61 400 604 768

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24.01.2022 Gratwick Street, the Gratwick Aquatic Centre and Gratwick Hall at the Civic Centre. Who is this Gratwick that our Council has named some prestigious buildings after him? Percival Eric "Percy" Gratwick, VC (19 October 1902 26 October 1942) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ... Although Gratwick was a Katanning lad, Port Hedland claim him as our hero because he was in this locality when he signed up to join the defence force. Gratwick worked in Perth, at one stage as a messenger at Parliament House, until about 1922 when he went north to the Pilbara and learned droving and blacksmithing on Indee station, 48 kilometres south of Port Hedland. Then he moved to Yandeyarra station, 48 kilometres further south, as a stationhand. He gradually built up a droving plant, got a team of mostly Aboriginal stockmen together, and took contracts. Stopped by drought in 1931, he turned to prospecting while employed part time on White Springs station, next to Yandeyarra. In the mid-1930s he settled at nearby Wodgina, a tantalite mine, blacksmithing, prospecting and occasionally working cattle for White Springs. He was his own man, well used to looking after himself in that tough country. Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, Gratwick attempted to join the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF). However, issues with his nose, which had been broken years earlier, led to the rejection of his application. In late 1940, after expensive medical treatment on his nose, he attempted to enlist again, this time successfully. Following completion of his training in July 1941, Gratwick embarked for Libya, where he was assigned to the 2/48th Battalion (a South Australian unit) with the rank of private. The battalion was among the defenders of Tobruk but was transferred to Palestine in October 1941. By June 1942, the battalion was in Egypt.[1] On the night of 25/26 October 1942 during the attack at Miteiriya Ridge, Egypt, the platoon to which Gratwick belonged suffered considerable casualties, including the platoon commander and sergeant. Gratwick, realising the seriousness of the situation, charged a German machine-gun position by himself, and killed the crew with hand grenades. He also killed a mortar crew. Under heavy machine-gun fire Gratwick then charged a second post, using his rifle and bayonet. In inflicting further casualties he was killed by machine-gun fire, but his brave and determined action, for which he would be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross, enabled his company to capture the final objective. Gratwick is buried in El Alamein Commonwealth cemetery, and his Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Museum of Western Australia in Fremantle, Western Australia.

23.01.2022 The rain has cleared the sun is shining, giants ships are gliding past and the Wedge Street Footpath Markets are in full swing. On till 12noon

23.01.2022 Have you ever wondered about street names around Port Hedland and thought "Who was that person?" We start a new our series on Street Names KEESING STREET in Cooke Point was named after .... Ross A Keesing... Ross Kessing was a young man that came to Port Hedland in 1921 as a young single man and set up business as a general merchant selling all things that might be needed in a small town. In his time in Port Hedland he married and had 3 children here, General .merchant draper, wine & spirit - and -receiving, forwarding, shipping , insurance and commission agent. Formerley of the 51st Battalion, Ross Keesing was an active member of the Port Hedland Returned and Services League (RSL) taking on many roles as Port Hedland secretary/president and President of the Pilbarra sub branch of the RSL 1929. Keesing was Secretary of the PH Racing Club 1928. And Club captain of Port Hedland Tennis club Ross Keesing owned a launch and ferried children and families to Finucane Island for the annual moonlight RSL picnic Nov 1932. He was an active community member and this article was in the paper when he gave notice of his imminent departure, Wed Nov 17 1932 The Northern Times With extreme regret we note that Mr. Ross. A. and Mrs. Keesing are shortly to leave us for the South. Mr. Keesing has been closely identified with almost every social or sporting body of the town" and will be greatly missed. He has, we believe, accepted a position in Perth. Wondering where

22.01.2022 Did you know that in the grounds of the Courthouse art gallery there was once a church? The first St Matthews church was built in 1908 and opened on Aug 16 of that year. It was built almost single handedly of wood and Iron by the Reverend T Jackson. The church was mysteriously burnt down on Feb 2 1917. It was insured for 215 and with a further donation of 70 rebuilding began immediately. The new St Matthews had its first service on 28 April 1918... The bell now in the ground of the new St Matthews church was bought for 20 including freight from Somerset UK after an appeal in the rectors fathers parish magazine in 1914. Before this the parishioners were called with the rector hitting the rim of a cartwheel with an iron rod. Unfortunately this church is no longer there but you can check out the interesting history on a interpretive board in Dalgety House Museum as soon as we open post COVID 19

22.01.2022 #throwbackthursday. The Historical Societys current project is to collect artifacts and history on the Port Hedland to Marble Bar Railway that ran between the two towns between 1911 and 1952. The PHHS will be and commemorating this very significant peice of our history in 2021. Photos show the Port Hedland train station, a loaded train heading toward Marble Bar. the Red Terror.

22.01.2022 Save the Date! Join us for the Cruise Ship Community Markets on Saturday 22 February from 8am to 2pm in the West End district. Come along and join in the celeb...rations as we welcome the Radiance of the Seas Cruise Ship to Hedland! Therell be a selection of community stalls, food vendors and businesses for the whole family to enjoy. Port Hedland Visitor Centre Port Hedland Seafarers Centre Port Hedland Seafarers Centre Tours See more

22.01.2022 The FUNKY CHRISTMAS TREE competition winner is Pilbara Motors Group. Congratulations to Sandra and her team. The lucky voter picked up her prize on Saturday. Co...ngratulations to Tash too. Thanks to everyone who participated and all those who took time to vote and get into the spirit of the event. Thanks also to Arnold Carter for coming along to present the winners goodies. See more

21.01.2022 NEW SCHOOL HOLIDAY COMPETITION. The "Selfie Challenge" - solve the clues, snap the shot and bring your photos into the Visitors Centre. Every participant wins a prize. See photo below for rules and clues.

20.01.2022 West End businesses enjoying the ambiance of yester year at Dalgety House Museum with a sundowner in the courtyard

20.01.2022 Looking for something to do on the School holidays, bring the kids down to Dalgety House Museum, plenty to see and do. Guess the minerals, activity sheets, local history, get comfy in the old Managers office and hear the stories, check out the Koombana exhibition and much more. While you are here collect your scavenger hunt item. Cnr Anderson St and Wedge St Port Hedland. See you soon...........

19.01.2022 Did you know that Port Hedland was once a destination place for the Easter long weekend. In 1978 a group started the Easter Sports Spectacular and sports people of many codes descended on our town. There was a 110 metre race that was for a period of time Australias richest foot race. It bought a great buzz to the town as teams were set up in tent city at the South Hedland oval and local residents could watch many different codes all day and into the night. This later changed to the North West Games which were held biannually and was like a Pilbara Olympic Games with an opening and closing ceremony with teams marching on and medals given out. How times have changed!

19.01.2022 We are excited to be a part of the Port Hedland Visitors Centre Scavenger Hunt. Call in between 9-2 to collect your Dalgety House Brochure. Why not let the kids do the Dalgety House worksheet at the same time?

18.01.2022 Do you know these people in the pictures, if so, come on down to the Dalgety House Museum and have a look $25 each............

16.01.2022 #throwbackthursday On this day 30 April 1961 Port Hedland Roads Board (now Town of Port Hedland) and the Port Hedland community celebrated their origin when a memorial to F T Gregory exploration expedition was unveiled. This marked the centenary of Gregorys expedition to the Pilbara. The monument has been moved a couple of times due to expansion and now is in the grounds of the BHP Community Office on corner of Wedge and Anderson Streets.

16.01.2022 Going for a Sunday drive? The West End is open for breakfast, shopping and a leisurely stroll around the cultural and heritage trail.

15.01.2022 On this day.... 3rd October 1952 Britain's first atomic bomb is detonated off the Western Australian coast. Called 'Operation Hurricane' this test makes the UK ...the 3rd nuclear power after USA and Russia. The test is carried out at Montebello Islands, about 140kms off the Pilbara coast. The bomb was detonated inside the hull of an old Pommie warship - HMS Plym which was completely obliterated in the test. The Poms were keen to see the effects an explosion inside a ship would cause as there were real concerns at the time that a bomb could be smuggled in a ship and detonated in a harbour. The Australian government was keen to provide an area for tests in the hope that nuclear weapon technology would be passed on, as the Aussie government had it's own concerns about a communist threat to the North. Over the next 5 years, the Poms detonated another 12 devices in Australia - most of them in South Australia. This first explosion at Montebello was about the same strength as the blast at Nagasaki during WWII. The fallout cloud rose to 300 metres and blew out to sea as intended but unfortunately the wind later changed direction and blew back over the mainland. Because of this, radioactivity was recorded as far away as Brisbane. The Montebello Islands were a prohibited area until 1992 - today, the islands can be visited but souvenir collecting is strictly forbidden and it is recommended to keep visiting time to a minimum - camping is also forbidden. See more

13.01.2022 Happy 57th Wedding Anniversary to Arnold and Fran Carter OAM. Married on this day in the little St Cecilias Church in Edgar Street.

13.01.2022 On June 23 1863 Governor- Surveyor Ridley officially named the mangrove inlet Port Hedland after Captain Peter Hedland who was the master of the ship which discovered the mangrove inlet, although the town was not gazetted until 1896. The Under-Secretary for lands asked a Mr F.A. Wedge for ideas to name the town. He suggested Mandarinah and Morcunah" but settled on Port Hedland.

11.01.2022 Dalgety House Museum will be open tomorrow while the markets are on. From 10am. Why not check it out while you are in town.

11.01.2022 BOOK SALE on now at Dalgety House Museum cnr Anderson and Wedge St Port Hedland. Come down and grab a bargain. These books wont last long at this price. A variety of history available.

11.01.2022 If you missed out on getting your Scavenger Hunt item from Dalgety House Museum on Monday, come on down, you can still collect the item until Friday 17th July. While you are here why not have a look inside and the kids can do an activity sheet. The Koombana Exhibition is also not to be missed. Admission $3 adults, $2 children Open 9-2pm Weekdays Open 10-12 Weekends

10.01.2022 A few weeks ago on a different Facebook page there was a question about "what is the oldest business in Port Hedland?" After much conjecture where businesses established in the 70s, 80s and 90s were named - yes there are a few, it was firmly established that the oldest continuous business in Port Hedland was the Pier Hotel. Established before the town was gazetted in 1896, the Pier was the first business and first building in Port Hedland. Many cyclones, booms and changes have occurred since.

08.01.2022 Have you ever wondered about the street names in Port and South Hedland and who or what they were named after? Just ask the Port hedland Historical Society via this Facebook page and we will do our best to answer your query. In the meantime here are a few answers Bayman Street - Charles Bayman was a respected tradesman who built the original Post Office in 1910 and Bangers House. Brand Street - After Sir david Brand, former Premier of WA... Traine Crescent - Thomas Traine was a businessman who was the lessee of the first jetty in 1899and who built the Port Hedland. Hotel in Wedge Street. Mauger Place- (pronounced Major) turned the first sod of soil for the POrt Hedland to Marble Bar railway. See more

07.01.2022 Jack of all Trades - Histories of the North Just off the press, this latest book about some of interesting historical aspects of the Pilbara. Jack Haynes reco...unts some humourous, interesting and unusual stories that make the North so unique. If you would like some holiday reading or would just like to add it to your collection the book is $23 plus $5 postage. Please PM me, email [email protected] or call me 0400 604 768

07.01.2022 In this National Volunteers Week, did you know that one of the oldest volunteer clubs in Port Hedland is the Port Hedland Turf Club. Started in 1904 with volunteer members and has delivered a fantastic social weekend of activities every year since, except now 2020 and 1926. Even through 2 world wars and the depression. The Port Hedland Race weekend was the biggest social weekend of the year with events being the Dalgety House cocktail party, a Gymkhana, a calcutta, the annual Race Ball, and Saturday and Monday race meetings. Many of these event are still held in normal circumstances. Last Saturday should have been the first day of the Port Hedland race round.

06.01.2022 Advance notice: Anzac Eve 24/4/20 about 8.00 PM CST- streaming live "Australia at War Concert" - songs about our country at war linked by an evocative narrativ...e comprising newspaper reports of the day, poems, personal reflections and letters from the front. From the John Schumann and the Vagabond Crew Facebook page. Its going to be a very strange Anzac Day - no dawn services, marches or gatherings in pubs. Instead, we decided to do something special to mark the day. The live stream will be free to watch but we encourage people make a donation via a button. After meeting costs and paying the musicians a fair fee, proceeds will be donated to Legacy. This is a live performance - youll have to watch it while its happening. It wont be there to watch afterwards. Please spread the word. More details later.

06.01.2022 We all know that kids like Tik Tok and You Tube videos. Now it is their turn to make their own video and maybe win $$$$$. Checkout this great school holiday competition, make your own 60 second video and enter to be in with a chance to promote our town and win $$$$

06.01.2022 Did you know that the Town of Port Hedlands logo is this cute flower? Crotalaria cunninghamii, also known as green birdflower or regal birdflower, is blooming currently along the beachy areas around town now. What a shame it has been shrunk down on Council vehicles and documents, to almost obscurity.

05.01.2022 At dawn on the 30th July 1942 a young soldier named Private Adams was killed when up to 70 bombs were dropped on the local airfield by the Japanese. The town wa...s bombed on 3 occasions, July 30 1942, August 17 1942 and August 16 1943. On this day, 78 years later, we pause and reflect on the loss of Private Adams and also remember the service and sacrifice of all those who have served our country, and those who still continue to serve in current peace operations. The Bombing of our town is an important part of our history and should never be forgotten. Lest we forget.

05.01.2022 https://youtu.be/MgYtskzQE2I

04.01.2022 30 Have you ever wondered why was South Hedland built 20 km away from Port Hedland? Answer Port Hedland is an island surrounded by tidal creeks and the ocean. As the town went through successive boomtimes high dry land was exhausted and so the nearest and highest land was where South Hedland is now. The first house in South Hedland was built in Pedlar street in 1972.

03.01.2022 This week some members of the Port Hedland Historical Society went across to Marble Bar to do some research on the Port Hedland to Marble Bar railway. The rail service ran from 1911-1951 moving people and goods to the much bigger town of Marble Bar. Sadly there is little evidence of the railways existence but we did find some... The Port Hedland to Marble Bar railway is the current project of the PH Historical Society as 2021 is the 70 year since its closure and the 110th since opening.

03.01.2022 Looking for that special Fathers Day gift come on down to the Dalgety House Museum and see our vast display of books for sale. While youre here have a browse around the museum and koombana exhibition $3.00 entry.

03.01.2022 Port Hedland as a town has built an extremely strong sense of community through adversity. The distastrous cyclones of 1912, 1939, 1975 and 2007 that caused immense damage to the town. Did you know that one of the worst merchant maritime disasters in Australias history was the SS Koombana that sailed out of Port Hedland on March 12 1912 with the subsequent loss of 147 lives? Did you know that one of the 10 worst aviation distasters in Australias history was a Viscount pla...ne MMA Flight 1750 that crashed on Indee Station on 31st December 1968 with the subsequent loss of all 26 passengers and crew? Port Hedland bonds together, stronger than ever, to support each other each time we experience a setback. These stories are told on books available from the Dalgety House Museum. Koombana Days by Annie Boyd $58 Disaster on Indee Station by Julie Arif $20 Nor westers of the Pilbara Breed by Jennie Hardie $58.

02.01.2022 On May 22, 1922, A Perth daily newspaper reported that Captain Charles Kingsford-Smith had had flown from Broome to Port Hedland a distance of 310 miles in 2 hours flying time and averaged a speed of 113 miles per hour. It was claimed this was a record for the journey for a plane on a routine flight carrying mail . Photo - WAA pilot Charles Kingsford Smith about to depart Wallal Station in Bristol Tourer G-AUDF in September 1922 .... A passenger climbs into the two-seat cabin behind the cockpit. Photographs taken by Ernest Brandon-Cremer in September 1922, courtesy Lee Brandon-Cremer See more

02.01.2022 Fate of Titanic-like luxury ship Koombana remains a mystery of the sea. On March 20 1912 the luxury ship of the North, the SS Koombana sailed out of Port Hedland other northward journey to Broome and Derby. The captain had left the port early as there were early indication of a storm brewing. The Koombana was carrying 147 passengers and crew when she disappeared over the horizon. An almighty storm lashed the coast and 4 days later she was reported over due in Broome. A...n extensive search found little evidence of the Koombana, just a cabin door and cushion. This terrible disaster just weeks before the that other terrible shipping disaster - the Titanic , still remains a mystery and one of Australias worst merchant maritime disasters. Take a moment today to spare a thought / share a prayer for the 147 souls lost. The story of the Loss of the Koombana can be seen at the rear of Dalgety House Museum . Open daily from 12 noon.