Denmark Historical Society Inc. Western Australia in Denmark, Western Australia | History Museum

Denmark Historical Society Inc. Western Australia

Locality: Denmark, Western Australia

Address: 16 Mitchell Street 6333 Denmark, WA, Australia

Website: http://www.denmarkhistoricalsocietywa.org.au/

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25.01.2022 The Ross family are planting a tree in the community park for their Aunt Sadie Kingston who turned 100 in February, sadly she passed away in April of Covid19. Sadie's husband George was the Anglican minister in Denmark in the mid 1950's. This is happening at 10am.

25.01.2022 Beth Franz was inducted as Freeman of the Shire today. There have only been two others in the life of our local government so is a great honour. Pictured here with Shire President Ceinwen Gearon.

25.01.2022 The Historical Society is having a sausage sizzle at Supa IGA on Saturday and we will also have books to sell! Come and get your Christmas Pressies from us as well as a sausage!!!

25.01.2022 Visit Curious and Curiouser at Denmark Community Resource Centre and be in with a chance to win $150 worth of Denmark Dollars!

24.01.2022 Does anyone have a photo of the 1972 Reserves football team that won the grandfinal please??? Got one thankyou!!!

22.01.2022 Today, Wednesday the 27th May! Its all gone bar the rubble.

21.01.2022 Something I stumbled across on a friend’s Facebook - resonates with me.

21.01.2022 We use these all the time in our Museum!!!

21.01.2022 For the next Albany Art Group exhibition art works done on sheoak shingles from the Vancouver Arts Centre roof. This shingle cottage was the home of pioneer photographer Bert Saw at Bow Bridge. It's being renovated with the same shingles.

20.01.2022 When the history of the kindergarten/pre primary was documented it was called the Rainbow Arch as this piece of playground equipment was there when it first sta...rted in the CWA Rooms. This photo taken by Ros Thies today, shows the rainbow arch within the rainbow arch. How lucky to have this image. Thanks Ros! See more

20.01.2022 When you visit to work or look around please sign the Covid-19 book.

20.01.2022 The Back to Denmark lunch is being held one month early this year due to unforseen circumstances on Tuesday 13th October at the Happy Restaurant on Pinjarra Road Mandurah from 11.30. Rsvp Eleanor Swinburn or myself. All Past and/or Present Denmark residents are welcome.

18.01.2022 This photo is in the DHS collection. Can anyone tell me who this man is please??

18.01.2022 This event happened in September.

17.01.2022 And just like that.. we are all ready to rock and roll gallery of Curious and Curiouser open from tomorrow, Nov 9 - Nov 22 By gold coin donation. Ft: Bert Saw... historical photo exhibition Vintage collection of unusual objects Sound Room of oral memories as told by Denmark residents WIN $150 of Denmark Dollars by guessing our most mysterious object Massive thanks goes to the team at Denmark Historical Society Inc. Western Australia for working with us on this project And the Mill Art Group - Denmark - Western Australia for their support

17.01.2022 There is possibly a story on the Bert Saw hut tomorrow, Tuesday on GWN 7 news at 5.30.

14.01.2022 The historical society surprised four of its members by awarding them Life Memberships last night for their contribution to the preservation of Denmark's history. Gilbert and Jean Wrightson and Bev and Ross McGuinness.

13.01.2022 Does anyone have a copy of the school pocket logo of the Denmark District High School Badge 1991 till 2000 we could get a copy of please?

13.01.2022 The latest Historical Society journal is out now. Why not become a member and get this 4 times a year. $25 a single and $30 a double.

09.01.2022 Members of the Ross family planting a tree for their Aunt Sadie Kingston who turned 100 in January but sadly passed away in April this year.

09.01.2022 Check out the latest edition of WICCNews. Featuring Scotsdale farmer Marino Bocuzzi, Elder Lynette Knapp shares stories of from her favourite place on the inlet... and a fantastic article on the history of farming in our region by the Denmark Historical Society. http://static-promote.weebly.com//ff943658-13e9-4e59-a017- See more

09.01.2022 We were supposed to host the Royal Western Australian Historical Society State Conference this year but due to Covid 19 it was cancelled. Quite a few had already booked their accomodation so came down anyway. We were glad to show them the Museum and present a talk on Bert Saw.

08.01.2022 I Hope I am not overdoing the first person thing too much but what I write are personal memories of Denmark so I is going to feature a lot. 1954 and I took my... discharge from the army having done the six years that I had signed up for, returned to Denmark and married Ruth and while I decided our future I took a job at Whittaker’s timber mill. My memory is not perfect around this period but I will do my best. After my first week at Whittakers I arrived at work one day to find the mill stationary and all the employees gathered in front of the office. The elected union spokesman explained that the mill would not operate until I had paid my union fees as the men had voted to remain on strike until I had coughed up. My brother Alan, a staunch Denmark Citizen who worked at the mill to supplement his income from the farm He and Val. and later, Annette on her quad bike, worked hard at, on the corner of Zimmerman and the Bar road, was not impressed. Six years in the army had not Prepared me for the realities of civilian life. I don’t think I had ever heard of union dues and anyway the flight over from Canberra had left me short and I hadn’t caught up yet so even had I known about the union I wouldn’t have been in a hurry to commit part of my hard earned pay to them. Of course I paid up but that union man always looked on me with suspicion. Ruth and I moved into one of the little Mill Houses on Parry street , bought an old car and I settled down to study maths physics and engineering, which did not make me popular with the old mill hands when I did calculations with chalk on the boards that were obviously not just the tally. My Brother Alan operated the boiler that powered the mill and he also operated the winch that hauled the logs to the twin saws. My brother Bill, taking a rest from the armed Services for a while (he later joined the air force) worked in the yard. I will name a few of those that I can remember. Bob Byleveld ( the usual pronunciation in the mill was Byderveldt) so I’m not sure. However Bob Operated the scantling saw bench right in front of where I was operating the docking saw. I took over the scanting bench when Bob removed several of his fingers. Then there was Butch Marwick, a big strong man, I’ll guess about 28, He was about the same age as Bill, One day a very large log was almost through the twins. The twin saws are situated one above the other so that the overall depth is sufficient to cut the very big logs. But the teeth don’t touch so there is always an uncut strip the full length of the log, so the cut section does not fall off until wedges are driven into the end of the log to split this strip. This was Butch’s job. One day the mill suddenly stopped and people rushed to the twins, I didn’t go because someone indicated that we should stay where we were. I later learned that Butch had taken a mighty swing at a wedge with a very heavy sledge hammer. The timber cut was still wet and slippery and the log spat the wedge out with tremendous force and speed right into the calf of Butch’s leg where it stuck. That day was the last time I saw Butch as I left Denmark soon after. I always hoped that he suffered no lasting harm. Another name that comes to mind is Ted baker. Ted was the saw doctor and spent most of his day sharpening saws. He and his wife were Neighbours to Ruth and me and some time later he bought and moved to the property on the Sleeman river. Max and Dorothy Marwick lived opposite Ted. Jan Juric (another name I am not sure of) lived on the other side of Parry street from us and we usually walked to work together during the winter and although mangled French was not his native language, I think he was Czech,, he greeted me each day with RUE de la CUCK. Because he had already accumulated a considerable weight of sticky orange mud on his boots. Indeed it was a road of cuck the interpretation of which I’ll leave to you. My Mother had Married Ben Williams and they lived more or less opposite to Ruth and Me. Then there was Bob Batt, a good friend and a great fisherman, lived somewhere along the front row. And Dick Randall of course who moved in with his new wife next door to us when Ted Baker moved out. Most of the others were casual contacts and I apologise to any one I should have mentioned. Phil. Carpenter was Mill Manager and good friend to Alan throughout those Mill years. I must not Forget George Keely who later Married Nancy Sutton I believe. And a popular member of the work force was Romanic.? with his Motor bike, who, I understand, bought a property on the Bar Road near Weedon Hill.---------- (Bar Road? Ocean Beach Road) I was only an observer, of course, after 1955. But Ruth and I drove Down to Denmark from Perth for most holidays with the children to see their Nanna. Many times down one day and back the next. Once for various reasons, from Jurien Bay Direct to Denmark. In the early Days say 1963 we had a 1962 model V.W. Beetle, Parents in the front, Wendy and Craig on the Back seat, and the Twins, Geoff. and Dianne, the babies, on pillows in the cubby hole behind the back seat. These were the days before seat belts. Life seemed so uncomplicated, Hard but uncomplicated. For years we cruised from Perth to Denmark down Albany Highway and from Green’s Pool 0ver the coast hill’s to Waterfall Beach and then struggle through the sand tracks back to Denmark in that little V.W.

08.01.2022 A great night had by all the workers for the Historical Society. Thanks for all you do!!!

05.01.2022 The Back to Denmark gathering in Mandurah today. Was great to see all those faces, get all those hugs, and do lots of catching up.

05.01.2022 Supported by the John Clark Memorial Band!!

04.01.2022 The DHS AGM is to be held on Monday 20th July at 4pm in the Museum. All members welcome.

04.01.2022 There was a time in the 1950’s when Mums Brother Harry Morgan shared a cottage at Waterfall ,Beach with Bard Powley. This Cottage was right at the end of the tr...ack, light’s end, under some Peppermint bushes. The track ended on the rocks. This was after Harry’s cabin had been removed from above the Waterfall. Waterfall Beach was where many of our family’s spent some wonderful holidays. I’ll just mention a few. The Cory’s, Roy and Dolly (Marshall).The Morgan’s Harry and Carrie(Ward). Rene Cusac (Ward). I think there was Jean Powley, My Mum Olive ( Morgan) and her her Sister Lillian Debnam (Morgan)and possibly others(sorry). The Burgess, Dick and Cath (Ferrier) and of course Myself and Ruth (Harley from Penrith N.S.W.) This was where Ruth and I selected to spend our Honey Moon. Bertha Boardley (I think she had married Phil Warham by this time, some one will correct me) made the Wedding Cake, Jack Holmes(Uncle Jack, Isobel was Dolly Cory’s sister), supplied the car(F.X.Holden), Harry Morgan the driver, Reverend McIver a Presbeterian Minister, because Ruth was 100% Scottish, officiated in the Service in the Methodist Church. My brother Alan loaned me his car for the Honeymoon as I hadn’t bought one yet. Alans car was an old model 4 cylinder with the conventional three speed gear box. I decided to teach Ruth to drive and did so on the hill above Water Fall Beach, a clear area because the cabins had been removed. O.K. for those who are still Interested. First gear was left and back, reverse was left and forward. Normally you can’t get from first into reverse when the car is moving without knocking off some gear teeth. Ruth managed it attempting to change up to second. Chug, chug, chug forward to Chug, chug, chug, backwards without the engine missing a beat and with a perfectly clean gear change. Ruth learnt to become a competent and confident driver in about three days on those bush tracks. I didn’t let her drive through the two water holes however. They could make another story. The only nervous moment I had with her was on our way home. I let her drive on South Coast Highway and I thought she was going to clean up old Mr Salmon who was riding his bike past the timber mill. Ruth became a keen fisherman after catching Salmon off Salmon Rock, and a massive Trevally (Skippy) off the rocks near the cabin. So later Dick Burgess, Ruth, and I headed along the rocks towards Lights Beach to try our hand at rock fishing.---- BAD IDEA. Cath decided to stay in the camp as she was not keen on fishing or rock climbing. Somewhere not far from Lights is what appeared to be the perfect fishing rock. Dry, Sloping gradually towards the water with the water- end about three meters up. Off its end a small island rock and to its left some hundred metres away, a beach. Waves surged between the rock and the little island rock creating white water, a good spot for Sweep and Tevally. Between the rock and the beach was relatively calm clear water so Ruth decided to fish towards the beach. I was up near the bush getting my lines and bait ready. Dick had already begun fishing, when I feel water surging around my legs. I turned and looked for Ruth, NO SIGN of her, Where’s RUTH I yelled, SHES IN cried Dick. We were both staring at seething white water beach side. No sign of Ruth. I am struggling to get my shoes off when a head popped up about a quarter of the way to the beach. Dick yelled Swim back to the rock and being closest to her climbed down looking for hand holds in the smooth rock. I was instantly beside him and said hang on to my ankle which he did as I found a hand hold . This enabled him to get his feet to water level as Ruth arrived (her practise in the Nepean River near the Blue mountains holding her in good stead ) and with his free hand he helped Ruth climb over him up to me where I employed the same method and got her up onto the top of the Rock. Dick and I recovered ourselves and examined Ruth for injuries. She complained that she had lost the seat out of her pants sliding down the rock but had sustained no scratches, however she had lost her shoes to the sea. We had been aware all the time that at any instant another wave could come over and have us all in. But the rock was drying fast and no waves were coming anywhere near us. This was the end of the days fishing, a frightening day for all and Cath didn’t get to fry the fish she had been preparing for. Most of Ruth’s fishing adventures took place off Ocean Beach from there on, where some great catches were had. She wasn’t strong enough to haul in a full sized salmon with the hand line so she put the line over her shoulder and headed for the hills until the fish was on the beach. I saw her land many very large salmon this way. By the way, I have heard so many people say that Australian Salmon (Related to the Herring, Ruff ,Apparently) are Inedible. Not So. I enjoyed my one inch thick Salmon cutlet breakfasts when working at the Mill. I could get the top of the stove red hot burning dry Karri so the pan was probably just about as hot and the cutlets, cooked fast to a crisp golden brown on the surface in Dripping, were delicious. I didn’t remove the blood stripe down the side either. This contributed to the flavour. Bon Apatite. See more

04.01.2022 It’s about 1944 and we were trying to run a holiday resort but there were so few visitors and holiday makers prepared to burn up what little petrol was availabl...e in driving the five miles from town to the bar that we saw almost no cars at all.(It was petrol rationing time). There was a way to get fuel though, burn charcoal and produce gas, hence those who could afford it had heavy gas producers mounted on the rear of their car. We only ever saw one of these come down to the bar and thereby lies a tale. One of three in particular, but I will leave that one till last. I recall a car, a fairly new one which having been down to the bar, was on its way back to town. A mob of wild horses were wandering along the road in the same direction but were forced off the road by the car. They unfortunately ran off the road between the car and the fence and became terrified because the car was keeping up with their gallop. As the car came alongside one horse, and I don’t know if you have seen a horse do this on the gallop, but they can pivot their hind quarters at the hips and kick sideways with both hooves together. This horse planted both feet squarely into the middle of the car’s rear door with a heck of a bang leaving two deep hoof prints and a big indentation. Not a pleasant days outing for the owner. I also remember when a newcomer to Denmark, from the wheat belt, with his wife, parked his Ford Pilot under Rickets Shelter on the grassed area just before the bend around to Prawn rock, and settled in to park there for a while. I met him when he came up to get some milk and he invited me to come Duck shooting with him at four thirty P.M. I arrived at the appointed time and wandered around until he got ready. I had reached a point about at the pillar between the drivers door and the back door and I was watching him on the other side of the car getting his 12 gauge shot gun out from under the back seat. IT WENT OFF. Blasting a five centimetre hole in the door right at my hip and totally shredding the leaves of the rushes beside me. Some three years later he had managed to get a contract with the butter factory (that would be telling) and employed me for a while when I was astray in Denmark. The subject of duck shooting never came up. The final motor car story arose when a car load, probably a family, of tourists, arrived to look at the Bar. In those days a dirt, sandstone and gravel track led past prawn rock and up onto the hill overlooking the bar to a bit past where the lookout is today, to where a track led down to the beach between a few rocks which were inhabited by Swifts. (Swallows). The road went no further. Just before Prawn rock the shoulder of the road was very unstable at the narrowest part. If I remember correctly, there was a bit of a limestone obstruction on the right. The car was a very heavy Pontiac or something with a big gas producer at the back, altogether too heavy for the road. They only made it just round the corner with the nose of the car almost to prawn rock when the rear of the car crushed the shoulder of the road and slid in, the rest of the car then followed, where it stayed until Randall’s brought a team of horses and pulled it out. The best part of this story is that Bill and I got the paying Job of repairing the road. I Googled the photo of the Gas Producer.

04.01.2022 Sad to advise of the passing of the Shire's Freeman Eileen Lunan yesterday. She was an amazing lady. Love and sympathy to all her family. Image courtesy Nic Duncan

04.01.2022 A few years ago the Historical Society loaned some foot pedals for transcribing oral histories. If you have one could you please organise to return them please as the Society has lots of histories to be typed up. Thankyou.

03.01.2022 The Denmark Machinery Restoration Group will be open tomorrow, Monday the 28th September from 9am. Come on down and have a look at some antique machinery, old cars, the workshop and the museum.

03.01.2022 Today the Denmark Shire Council has been given access to apply for up to nearly $350,000 in State Government funding because of COVID-19. "Funding is available... for local road and community infrastructure projects that involve the construction, maintenance and/or improvements to council-owned assets (including natural assets) that are generally accessible to the public." I believe that the bandstand would fall into this grant funding category as a Shire asset. If you feel strongly about this you need to contact your local councillor and make your feelings known. The excuse that there is no money is no longer true. It is up to everyone to make contact with council about this and also the fact that there was no community consultation on this issue. I am only one person and cannot make this happen on my own. Comments on FB are not enough. You all need to ring your councillor and make your feelings known. See more

02.01.2022 Our love and sincerest sympathy to one of our workers Jeanette Campbell whose partner Neil Marsh, passed away on the 21st May. xxx