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Darlington History Group

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24.01.2022 . . . MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO HAVE We are living through an unexpected and unprecedented time just now. Our market-based, hyper-individualistic culture is rethinking the tenets of how we live with others, and many people are embracing the importance of ‘look after others’ such as the wonderful people at Darlington Community Care. Kathleen Skipsey was a remarkable Darlington woman who lived this principle. Many of you are familiar with the Kathleen Skipsey Hall on Glen Ro...ad, where the Scouts and Guides enjoy many a rowdy and joyful couple of hours during the week and on weekends. But did you know why the hall is named Kathleen Skipsey, and who she was? Many older residents will smile at the memory of having known her, and you can meet her now, by reading the following extract from a memoir written by Kathleen’s daughter Beth Berridge, and then click on the link below the extract to read the rest of this delightful account from both Beth and Sally Herzfeld, on the Darlington History Group website. Extract : The lady climbed into the railway compartment hustling her two young daughters before her. The other occupants made room for the threesome by moving along the bench seats. The family settled themselves facing each other, mother on one side, the two daughters on the other. "May I have a sweetie, Mother?" asked Kath, the youngest child. "Only if you offer them to everyone else first, dear," came the reply. I remember my mother telling me that as she offered them around, she was hoping that not everyone would take one. Often there was none left for her but it was an important lesson her mother Olive was teaching, that it was more blessed to give than to have. I chose this incident to introduce my mother, Kathleen Mary Taplin because she was a woman who gave to make others happy, a person who would notice the needs of others. "I haven't noticed Mrs Brewer around lately", she would say, "I'll just pop in to see if she is alright." - Or perhaps it was the lonely Mr Turner who lived in a garage that she was concerned about, "I'll take him some fruit, he makes the most marvellous jam. That'll cheer him up. She was always making a casserole or a cake to drop in or inviting these lonely old people to have a meal with us. We thought they were boring but mother was always interested in people. Whether Catholic or Protestant (and in those days religion DID matter) she would discuss religion with them, trying to understand life better. She taught us that what denomination you were didn't really matter as long as you believed in God and followed the teachings of Christ. read more here http://www.dhg.org.au//Kath%/KATHLEEN%20MARY%20SKIPSEY.pdf

20.01.2022 AGM WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER,7:30PM, 2020 Just a reminder that the Darlington History Group will be holding our Annual General Meeting in the Darlington Lesser Hall at 7.30pm on 14 October, 2020. All positions will become vacant on this day, and new nominations are welcome. We would like to invite all current members, and those wishing to join the group, to attend the meeting. We look forward to seeing you then. ... After the AGM Architect Richard Offen will be our guest speaker, presenting his talk "A Very Significant Architect - George Temple-Poole and the Darlington Connection". More information about this talk will be posted closer to the date. Come and Share the Heritage! #AGMDarlingtonHistoryGroup

20.01.2022 THIS IS A STORY THAT MUST BE TOLD, AND YOU CAN HELP! This is the story of how the arts put down such firm roots in the Hills, and how a one-time settlement of scattered vineyards and orchards, weekenders and guesthouses evolved into a village blessed with a strong sense of community and place.It is also the story of why a small annual display of local work not only survived but has thrived to become one of Australia’s longest-running annual community arts festivals, and the ...Continue reading

19.01.2022 GRAB THE FAMILY, LEASH UP THE DOG, AND LEARN ABOUT YOUR VILLAGE WHILE YOU WALK This weekend, take your phone for a walk and let it teach you about your village. There are 22 points of interest on this interactive walk, and after strolling this well-researched walkabout you may be amazed at how much knowledge you have garnered in an hour. Many kudos and thanks to Rob Borsje and Lyn Myles from the Darlington History Group for taking the time to design this fantastic walk for the community and visitors alike. Go on - click on the link below for all the details, and let's get walking! #walkingmapsperth #interactivewalksperth #interactivewalkdarlington #darlingtonwalks #darlingtontrails #perthhillswalkingtrails #experienceperth #shortwalksperthhills

18.01.2022 LANDSCAPE AND MEMORY IN THE TIME OF COVID-19, 2020 The definition of history is varied, but in general terms, history can be defined as ‘a time no longer releva...nt to the present’. That time relates to events and problems of the past, the people and the societies and cultures they create, and the landscape and buildings in which people inhabit. History is reliant on the people who record it, either through oral histories, written accounts, and historical imagery. It is dependent on genuine foundation, so historical documents can differ depending on the perspective of the person recording it. Antiquarian history about people and events is often considered to be omission-ridden, recording mostly favourable accounts by the people who transcribed it, often ignoring historical accounts that would discredit or dishonour a person/persons or a culture. Modern history, however, has a more transparent legacy, due mostly in part to the capacity of many to support and verify the fact, or conversely to disprove it a consequence of more modern times requiring written and recorded accountability in most spheres of contemporary living. In 2020 the Coronavirus pandemic propelled the world into living through an historical event, as it happened. During this unsettling and uncertain era it is possibly more important than ever to have an account of how people lived during this time. Within days, many of us found ourselves without work and income, confined to our dwellings either alone or with others, some working from home, some schooling online, and most unsure of how the next few months would unfold. We find ourselves watching countless news briefings on the latest coronavirus updates, not only in our state, but in our country and the whole world. Binge-watching Netflix series and TV on-demand has become the new norm, as has video-conferencing, zoom-bombing, and visiting Nana via face-time. Old sewing machines have found a place on the kitchen table, making face masks for those who need them; the kitchen garden has been resurrected; many have embraced the humble art of bread making, and cooking simple wholesome meals. Communities have found creative ways to support and sustain each other, and all of us have had to adapt to this new way of living and communicating. The Darlington History Group consider this an important and appropriate time to examine and record a snapshot of the Darlington Community during the time of the Coronavirus Pandemic where and how Darlington people have lived and what they did during this time. No one knows if life will resume as it was pre Covid19, and it will be interesting for all of us in future years to reflect on this time in history. To this end, DHG would like to invite you to participate in capturing YOUR moment in history during the Time of Covid. Simply join our group and upload your story! To help you, here are some questions we think would be useful to answer, and some suggestions: We thank you in anticipation of your participation. 1. Your Address 2. Who lives here? 3. How long have you lived in this dwelling? 4. Why did you choose to live in Darlington? 5. What changes have you seen in your block/house/street since you moved in? Please write as much as you want here as this will form an historical account of your residence. 6. Do you know any history about your house and others who have lived there before you? 7. How has Covid19 affected you and the way that you now live? 8. Please add images of the view of your street from the bottom of your drive, and the view across the road from your front door. 9. Add as much information and as many images as you like that you think will help with the historical account of The Place Where You Live. The more info, the more interesting it will be when someone reads your history a few years down the track! 10. Please include the kids too, as it will be wonderful to have some insights from Children and Teenagers regarding question 7. Please feel free to edit your post at any time after you have published it - you may find out more information about your house, or want to change some of the info; or you may wish to load more images, or change images. Please feel free to edit at any time. This is an ongoing project and your input is invaluable. IMPORTANT NOTE: Your information and images will not be used anywhere else without your written permission, except on this Facebook Group. Thank you in anticipation of your participation in this community initiated snapshot of The Place Where You Live.

18.01.2022 "DEAD EYES HAVE LOVED AND CHANGED THIS LAND I WALK IN THE GRIEF OF TIME" This beautiful sentence was written by West Australian poet Randolph Stow about the country place where he grew up, and it is also the first sentence in the Foreword of an incredibly well researched book written by local Darlo authors Cliff Burns and Arlene Collings (with Special Assistance from Lyn Myles). Burns and Collings continue "Stow was sensitive to the losses inflicted by time on the people and... places he loved; yet he recognised that these changes also defined that which remained mostly unchanged. We are blessed if the places to which we are emotionally tied survive sufficiently intact to retain their remembered form. The people of Darlington have been so blessed." The book includes descriptions and photographs of 90 structures, public buildings and facilities, residences and their residents from 1829 to 1925. If you live in an old residence from this era, it is absolutely likely that your house will be in this book. This is a fantastic read, and for only $15 you can get here https://dhgonline.company.site/Historic-Structures-and-Buil If you would like to know anything more about your village, please feel free to get in touch with us, or visit our website www.dhg.org.au

18.01.2022 BEFORE BILGOMAN POOL THERE WAS THE HELENA VALLEY POOL . . . IN THE BUSH! Many older Darlington residents will have fond memories of swimming and picnicking at the Helena Valley Pool. It is no longer named as such, and is now a reservoir water supply which is off limits to the public. Below is an account by former Darlington resident Leith Maslin (descendant of FH Maslin) of a time he and his wife Judy took a drive down memory lane while visiting the pool in 1986. If you woul...Continue reading

18.01.2022 THE MAKING OF A FESTIVAL "When celebrated as an artist and invited to become Patron of the Darlington Arts Festival, the late Robert Juniper often regaled the opening night audience with the story of how, as summer approached, Guy Grey-Smith invariably set fire to the Stone Crescent hillside when burning off. Occasionally his own and nearby studios were at risk - until the bushfire brigade volunteers arrived, dousing the flames with little more than derring-do, water backpack...s and wet hessian. It was a story much enjoyed when delivered in Juniper's resonant tones, and is now embedded in Darlington folklore. And while the one-day exhibition initiated by the Grey-Smiths as a 'thank you' to the brigade was modest in scale, it marked the genesis of what blossomed into today's Darlington Arts Festival, now firmly lodged on cultural calendars over the first weekend in November." You have just read an excerpt from our recent publication "Arts on the Edge", written by local resident and international author Trea Wiltshire, and beautifully designed by graphic designer Mich Lee (also a Darlington resident). Come and find us at this year's Darlington Arts Festival, and pick up a book or two. Oh, and card payments are a bit tricky for us, so please bring old fashioned cash. See you at DAF! PS The book will be launched at 5pm on Saturday afternoon. All welcome! Please join us on the oval near the Tennis Court.

17.01.2022 DARLINGTON ARTS FESTIVAL STARTS IN LESS THAN 48 HOURS!! The Darlington History Group will be there, with our Bric-a-Brac Stall setup somewhere near the tennis courts. Pop in and see what you might find! Unfortunately we don't take card payments, so please bring good old fashioned cash. We look forward to seeing you!!

17.01.2022 Kevin Andrich, John Zoranich and Leon Czeladka walking along a flooded road during the 1966 floods in Herne Hill. Image from Ena Czeladka-Willemsen (nee Ilich)

17.01.2022 CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE MANDATED TO QUARANTINE DURING A VIRUS PANDEMIC. After World War 1, with the outbreak of the Spanish Flu, many returning soldiers had to be quarantined for 3 to 4 days on-board the ship they arrived on, and then transferred to quarantine camps for a further 7 to 10 days. They were not quarantined in a warm comfy bed in a hotel - they were quarantined in tents, in sports stadiums, and on football ovals. One soldier quarantined on h...Continue reading

16.01.2022 Thankyou @JamesBall for all the fabulous photos!!

16.01.2022 BREAK UP YOUR WEEK - ENJOY AN EVENING OUT, WITHOUT HAVING TO GO FAR! Guest Speaker Evening this Wednesday, 9 September, 7.30pm Darlington Lesser Hall, Owen Road, Darlington GOLD COIN DONATION... "A Lonely Grave in Africa" Speaker: Author and local resident Chris Durrant Chris Durrant is a long time Darlington resident. Chris and his wife Shirley, both raised in Kenya, came here from Jamaica in 1974 and soon afterwards moved into the house in Lionel Road where their children grew up and where they now gently decay. Chris has always been fascinated by the Great War, that uniquely dreadful and transforming conflict in which his father served, and two of his uncles died. He became particularly interested in the story of his Uncle Christopher, after whom he was named, who left England under rather mysterious circumstances very early in the war, and made his way out to Africa, from where he never returned. His story was the inspiration for Chris' debut novel "Under the Same Moon", published in 2018, and set in Europe and Africa during World War 1. Light refreshments will be served afterwards. We look forward to seeing you at this event!

15.01.2022 Postcard photo with Darlington written on the reverse 1900’s

13.01.2022 Aaaannd some more pics from the launch!

11.01.2022 Old train tickets I found under the linoleum floor covering ... Glen Forrest to Darlington one of interest to the group

11.01.2022 WHOSE HOUSE WAS THAT? When you visit the Glen Forrest shops on Railway Parade, have you ever wondered about that old house on the corner of Railway Parade and Burkinshaw Road, across the road from the restaurant? Well, it was the Glen Forrest Station-masters House, a 122-year-old house and one of only 4 remaining along the old Mundaring Railway line. The others still standing are the Mundaring, Darlington and Mt Helena Station-master’s houses. Two are now private residences (...Mt Helena and Darlington) and Mundaring SMH is the office of the Mundaring and Hills Historical Society (M&HHS). This house was built in 1898 to a standard WAGR design and was occupied by successive Station-masters from 1898 to 1954. After the line closure in January 1954 it was sold into private ownership. The Tomczak family lived there until 1994, after which it was purchased by the Mundaring Shire and used by M&HHS as their office until 2009, before they moved to the Mundaring Station-masters house. DHG signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mundaring Shire in May 2019, and after the shire spent some money on sorely-needed repairs, DHG took occupancy in October 2019. DHG uses the house for storing our bric-a-bac and books that are sold at the Darlington Arts Festival every November. You may have noticed the house has been painted, white ant damaged timbers replaced (both outside and inside) and windows with damaged sashes have been replaced. So, this is the second station-master's house used by a historical group that really values our history - fitting wouldn't you say? The Shire of Mundaring continue to own and maintain the building with the 'Friends of Nyaania Creek - Glen Forrest' maintaining the grounds of the property. Thanks to both for giving this old girl a new lease of life and she will now hopefully see many more years of use. DHG, of course, will ensure she is loved and looked after on the inside. Oh, and some fixed signage will be erected soon, to better identify her and what her role was in the past. Lyn Myles, Archivist DHG

10.01.2022 Last Sunday DHG had a stand at the Perth Hills Artisans Market in the Mundaring Arena (our first time). We sold some books and met other like-minded people (call it ‘networking’). Bendigo Bank gave us the use of their portable EFTPOS machine, which worked well for us, many thanks Bendigo Bank!!!! It was a well-organised event and the Arena is a great place: air-conditioned and it had a lift (we were on the first floor). We felt sorry for the outside food trailers and outside stands as it was 34 degs out there! Thanks, Fleur, for your great organising skills. Plenty of people came through and we hope to go back in December.

10.01.2022 Postcard a Settlers cottage in the Hills ...might be Boya ? 1908

10.01.2022 Aaand some more pics from the book launch . . .

10.01.2022 A GENTLE REMINDER - 7.30PM TONIGHT AT THE LESSER HALL! SEE YOU THERE! "The History of the Schools at 12 Beenong Road" NOVEMBER GUEST SPEAKER EVENING...Continue reading

08.01.2022 "VINTAGE MARKETS" TODAY, SUNDAY! VENUE : GLEN FORREST SOCIAL CLUB, MCGLEW RD 9.30AM TO 3PM As part of their 90th Anniversary Celebrations, the GFSC are rounding off the 3 Day Event with a Vintage Feel Markets. We will be there with some Bric-A-Brac that we did not cart to DAF last weekend (and some we did not sell!) so you might find something interesting as you rummage through our 'stuff'! We hope to see you there! Free Entry.

07.01.2022 SOLDIERS WHO LIVED IN DARLINGTON Dressed in my daggy-but-oh-so-comfy dressing gown and warm ugg boots I sat in the dark on the verandah, hot cuppa in hand, waiting to participate in the Anzac Day Dawn service. How unusual not to be heading off to Blackboy Hill in Greenmount to stand with many others, waiting for the sun to rise on our National Day of Remembrance; to spend a moment reflecting on the personal cost of war and to consider the enormity of sacrifice to both those ...who went to war, and those who waited anxiously at home. Sipping my cuppa I could see many houses glowing with light across the street, through the valley and up on the distant hill. I could hear others defying the drizzling rain, whispering and shuffling in the darkness, candles and lanterns lit. As the ink sky mellowed into greyish hues amidst shadowy clouds, the familiar sound of the Last Post tumbled down the hill from a lone player a couple of houses up the street. Maybe they forgot the music, or perhaps suffered performance-anxiety as they stopped playing after just a couple of bars, but it was a glorious and moving acknowledgement of remembrance that I felt I shared with all my unseen neighbours in the early morning darkness. I found myself pondering how the soldiers felt waiting for the sun to rise on that first bloody battle on the shores of Gallipoli in 1915, where more than 8,500 Australians and almost 3,000 New Zealanders died. I wonder what their thoughts were in the pre-dawn, the time of preparation, as they waited in fields, on ships, in shelters and behind artillery. Anzac Day 2020 is one that few of us will forget, given the physical distancing we are challenged with due to Covid-19. The remarkably imaginative and inspiring ways that many have created to commemorate this day may bring us closer as communities, and perhaps this Anzac Day will hold greater significance and meaning for you given our present time in history. For me, the gift of yet another day healthy and happy is a gift in itself, from those that gave us the gift of Peace and Freedom. LEST WE FORGET #lestweforget #darlingtonww1soldiers All the soldiers shown in the images have been researched, and you can read their stories on our website www.dhg.org.au

07.01.2022 BEG BEG BEGGITY BEG! There is no dishonour in beseeching. Like all volunteers of community groups, we are used to begging and have no shame . . . . hear us out! We live in a wonderful location, surrounded by great neighbours, super facilities (who doesn't love the oval - dog poo or no dog poo), we have wonderful community groups, and we all seem to engender a terrific sense of pride in our village. ...Continue reading

07.01.2022 ARTISTIC NEIGHBOURS In the 1930s, Dalry Road was home to two artists who shared a feisty determination to make a living from their art. Daisy Rossi painted high society portraits, including that of Government Architect George Temple Poole, whom she later married. Portraits funded her studies in London and Paris, and on her return in 1910 she became known for her wildflower paintings and a successful interior design practice. Daisy, the first woman on the Town Planning Board, ...urged women to explore the world of the intellect. Man has no more right to say all women should be domestic workers against their inclination than women should insist on all men becoming gardeners or handy men. When Daisy and George retired, they chose to live in the arts and literature community around the hills village of Darlington. Their neighbour, Amy Heap, had arrived from the UK in 1909 and exhibited works with the Perth Society of Artists. A critic noted that Ms Heap had a greater number and variety of exhibits than any other artist, her work showing an artistic versatility that is remarkable. Ms Heap drove her own car, travelled widely, and became a noted artist and illustrator with The West Australian newspaper. She was described as aristocratic in bearing, manner and speech, and very, very English a Dresden china sort of person, small but very impressive. You have just read an excerpt from "Arts on the Edge", our latest publication, written by Trea Wiltshire. You can purchase this fantastic book here https://dhgonline.company.site/Arts-on-the-Edge-Darlington-

07.01.2022 RAINY DAYS ARE READING DAYS! If you want to know more about the great village you live in, pop onto our online store and buy this fantastic book written by Cliff Burns and Arlene Collings. Don't forget to choose either Self Pick Up or Post. Pickup is from Darlington. Happy reading! https://dhgonline.company.site/The-Original-Darlington-Vine

07.01.2022 NOW ITS EASY! You asked and we responded. Many of you asked us to make joining Darlington History Group easier, so we did. Just click on the link below to become a member, or donate, or to buy one of our fantastic books about the History of your special village. We thank you for considering DHG. Click the following link to go to our online shop http://dhg.org.au/domebok.shtml

05.01.2022 I trust you're not going out of your minds with this Coronavirus lock-down, so here's something to entertain you: a 1926 movie of a train trip from Perth Station to Mundaring Weir. The loco (sigh, do we have to identify that again!) is a M or Ms class Garrett loco, renowned for their hill climbing abilities. This movie is 94 years old!. At about the 54 sec mark, the train is shown going thru Darlington, evidenced by the pine trees and the cutting. Filmed by the Owen brothers, we tip our hat to these gentlemen!

05.01.2022 Our current project, Darlington Landscape and Memory | The Place Where You Live currently has one house up on our Facebook group page. We would love to invite you to join the group, and perhaps participate in our current project. We look forward to seeing this project evolve over the next few months. Enjoy your weekend!

04.01.2022 Postcard Darlington written on the reverse 1900’s

04.01.2022 Why are Roses so popular? Roses are known to be the most culturally significant flower. Bards of days gone by wrote about the sweet smell of roses, we stop to smell the roses, and we dream of sleeping in a bed of roses. We associate roses with romance and passion, but we also associate them with innocence and purity. In some cultures and religions red roses symbolise suffering such as the red rose being associated with the blood of Christ. Christian scripts describe he...aven as being strewn with roses. Which is interesting, as in the bible there is no mention of roses at all, even though they grew wild at that time in some regions. In later editions of the bible, such as the King James Bible, there is mention of roses, such as ...the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose, but historians believe that this is a mistranslation and the plant referred to was actually a crocus. In Medieval times, couples handfasting (precluding marriages) wore crowns of roses to their ceremonies. In our modern Western culture, we give red roses to our beloved, associate white roses with purity, and celebrate happy occasions with yellow roses. Before the rose was Queen of the flower world, the Lotus and the Lily were more popular. No one really knows why the rose became the most revered flower, but it is thought that in the 1700s wealthy merchants obtained specimens from the Far East and China and planted them on their estates in the UK and the Americas and this became a symbol of high status. Wherever the story of the rose began, it is clear that roses are well loved in our modern world. STUNNING ROSE GARDEN IN DARLINGTON In Darlington in the 1930s, Horace Mofflin had a stunning garden on Dalry Road, which he started in 1919 when he and his family first moved to the property. Horace was the Foundation President of the National Rose Society of WA 1932 - 1938. He had over 1,000 roses bushes, and often had open gardens. You can find out more about Horace’s garden and his magnificent roses by visiting Blackwood Roses Past and Present on our website http://www.dhg.org.au/mofflin_roses.shtml

03.01.2022 HERE’S MY POSTY BAG, I’M OFF ON AN ADVENTURE! Not much is known about Frank Davis’ time as a postal employee in Darlington, but it has me wondering did he ride a bicycle or a horse to deliver the post, or was he fleet of foot? As he was under the age of 21, Frank fudged his age to sign up as a soldier during WW1. In 1914 young men of 21 were considered mature enough to withstand the emotional and physical trauma endured by a soldier in combat. Sadly, many young soldiers who...Continue reading

02.01.2022 Our book got air time! Trea and Val joined Jess Strutt on 720 this morning. Well done ladies! Have a listen ....https://www.abc.net.au//perth/programs/focus/focus/12841604

01.01.2022 As a follow up to the earlier and very successful video of the 1926 Mundaring Weir Train Trip, some comments were made about where the railway line itself ran, so here is a map of the route, taken from an early 1950's street map guide and the same route (now gone) in a 1955 Street map guide. It closed on 14 November 1952.

01.01.2022 ITS COMING, AND WE'RE EXCITED!!! PRE-ORDER NOW! RELEASE DATE: Nov 2020. Many of you are aware that DHG commissioned renowned author and local resident Trea Wiltshire to write a book, based on how the Perth Hills got its ‘arty’ reputation, and how a string of notable artists and their families in Darlington and the surrounding area contributed to this status and subsequently shaped the Darlington community. Beautifully written, and peppered throughout with impressive illustrat...ions from public and private collections, the book will be launched and released at the Darlington Arts Festival 2020. And we are excited to announce that you can now pre-order the first print-run of this fantastic book, for delivery/pickup in November. Visit the link below to find out how to order - and while you are there, read a short bio about acclaimed author Trea Wiltshire. https://dhgonline.company.site/Arts-on-the-Edge-Darlington- #daf #darlingtonartsfestival #perthhillsartists #artistsandartisans #historyofartperthhills #perthhillsfestivals #treawiltshire #perthwriters #perthauthors