Streets of Bunbury in Bunbury, Western Australia | Museum

Streets of Bunbury

Locality: Bunbury, Western Australia

Phone: +61 8 9721 1489

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Arts and entertainment
• Museum

25.01.2022 The Streets of Bunbury website is a growing archive of Bunburys history. Jam-packed with interesting biographies and stories of historic places. Well publish all of our research to the page each week so check back for updates!

25.01.2022 STAY SAFE AT HOME An elderly Bunbury woman recalled the towns early times (70 years or so ago) when a 10 pm curfew told people it was time to be off the dark streets and safe into their homes. Just a month ago many parties were just getting going by 10 pm. Now with the coronavirus no one is outside, let alone at 10 pm! South Western times, October 22, 1953

24.01.2022 AN UNFORTUNATE SPILL! The perils of the sanitary cart mans working life came to the fore during an incident in late 1920 when Vasse Road resident Mr C. H. Birch was suddenly dragged from his slumber about 3.30 am by the rattle of a sanitary cart, which was travelling at unusually high speed. The noise was followed by the sound of groans coming from the road; putting on his shoes, Mr Birch went out to investigate and found sanitary employee Peter Rose unconscious on the roa...d. Mr Birch secured a car to have Mr Rose taken to the public hospital. It was thought that for whatever reason the horses attached to the sanitary vehicle bolted and threw Mr Rose to the ground! (South Western Times 11 November 1920) Photo of sanitary cart courtesy of Golden Quest Discovery Trail South Western Times Golden Quest Discovery Trail Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre Memories of Bunbury City of Bunbury National Library of Australia Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Bunbury Horse and Pony Club Inc. Horseland Bunbury

23.01.2022 WALTER KAESHAGEN (1878 - 1968) It is no exaggeration to say that Walter Kaeshagen held practically every executive position in the trading, civic and social organisations of Bunbury. Walter was a successful businessman popular in Bunbury during the early 1900s. Co-owner and manager of the Bunbury Branch of the Narrogin Trading and Agency Company, he had a reputation of being thoroughly in touch with the people of the district and [taking] a practical interest in all matters... affecting the town". He lived on a timetable of 8 hours' work in the interests of the Trading and Agency Co., 4 hours' work in the interests of the district's business, 4 hours in Municipal, Roads and Health Boards, or other public business, 2 hours for meals, 2 hours for recreation and 4 hours to get ready for repeating the performance next day. In Walters case, the lack of sleep almost seems believable - he was a sportsman and musician in addition to being a successful businessman and contributor to the Bunbury community. Walter significantly impacted the early development of Bunbury by his involvement in establishing many ongoing organisations that helped build the town into a strong community as well as helping instigate many industrial and agricultural ventures to improve the economy of Bunbury and the South-West. See streetsofbunbury.com/walter-kaeshagen for a detailed biography of his many contributions to Bunbury researched by our volunteer Gaye Englund Museum of Perth City of Bunbury Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre State Library of Western Australia Bunbury Herald South Western Times National Library of Australia

23.01.2022 The Museum of Perth coordinates a wide range of digital volunteering activities in partnership with cultural institutions around Australia. Our project particip...ants have transcribed more than ten million lines of text for the National Library of Australias Trove, contributing to better results, making research more effective and easier for everyone. We have already transcribed several personal WWI diaries, early Western Australian explorer journals, precious family letters and documents, and myriad genealogical records. Research on given topics or people can also be undertaken. Volunteering can be undertaken online from home, with digital supervision, training and guidance provided remotely by our team of historians, experts and technical staff. If youd like to join our Digital Volunteering Team please sign up! www.museumofperth.com.au/digital-volunteering National Library of Australia State Library of Western Australia National Archives of Australia Australian War Memorial State Records Office of Western Australia

23.01.2022 MOTHER XAVIER: MOTHER OF MUSIC (1859-1938) Mother Mary Xavier Read, one of the pioneering Mercy Sisters at Bunbury was known as the Mother of Music throughout the South West of Western Australia. She was a highly qualified and accomplished musician and was an experienced teacher before she joined the Sisters of Mercy. Marys dedication to music resulted in outstanding music results for the Bunbury convent, with 7% of the Trinity Music College awards given throughout the Com...monwealth to her students. Among her students, two fellowships and three national prizes were also gained. Sister Xavier was sent to Bunbury in January 1886 where she stayed for a brief period. In 1897 she returned to Bunbury, the year when the Sister of Mercy convent became separate to Perths. Sister Xavier was then appointed Assistant Mother under the Reverend Mother Angela Costello, who was the first Australian born sister to receive this title. Bunbury became the second examination centre in Western Australia to hold Trinity College examinations and a special Music Hall was built in 1918 to accommodate the growing number of students. Lessons were offered for several instruments, singing and to both Catholic and non-Catholics alike. Mother Xavier Reid died in 1938, aged 79, and was buried with other Sisters of Mercy at the Bunbury Cemetery. In 1953, Xavier Street was named in her honour for her contribution to the cultural life of Bunbury. See more on Mother Xavier at https://www.streetsofbunbury.com/mother-xavier This article was researched and written by Gaye Englund for the Streets of Bunbury project using infomation from Anne McLay's book 'Women out of their Spheres: A History of the Sisters of Mercy in Western Australia which can be found on the Institute of Sisters of Mercy in Australia and Papua New Guinea website. Institute of Sisters of Mercy in Australia and Papua New Guinea Bunbury Regional Art Gallery National Library of Australia State Records Office of Western Australia State Library of Western Australia Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum City of Bunbury South Western Times Bunbury Herald Bunbury Catholic College Diocesan Youth Ministry Office - Catholic Diocese of BunburyOur Lady of Mercy College St Nicholas Ecumenical Catholic Church Bunbury

22.01.2022 FERGUSON HONOURS WAR HEROES Almost two years after the Gallipoli landing, a big crowd gathered at the Ferguson State School for the unveiling of a roll of honour of former scholars who, at the call of Empire, went forth without demur to fight for honour and freedom in the worlds battlefields. Mr William Lemen Thomas, Member of the Legislative Assembly Bunbury, told locals and visitors they had assembled to do honour to the heroes of the Ferguson, who had gone forth to the... firing line: brave fellows who had realised their responsibility as citizens of the Empire in the hour of the nation's peril. They had taken the honour of Australia and their own in their hands, and their stirring deeds had won for their native land and for themselves a fame which would never perish. Mr Thomas said he had heard one mother say that it had pained her to let her son go to the front, but that she would rather suffer that pain than the sorrow and shame of having her boy stay at home in inglorious ease, whilst the noblest young men of the country were doing their duty in the defence of all they held dearest. That was the glorious spirit that had animated the parents of the men whose names were upon the roll of honour, he said. All those listed on the roll had received their education in the Ferguson school. Mr Thomas remarked that if every school in the State were as patriotic and worthy as that it would bode well for the future of the country. About 44% of the old-time scholars of the school who had reached military age had enlisted, and he thought that that was a record that all might well applaud. Those whose names were inscribed on the roll: Albert Cantwell, Alfred Gardiner, Douglas Gardiner, Lea Gardiner, Wilfred Gardiner, Keith Gardiner, Reuben Chapman, Wilfred Chapman, Basil Gibbs, Harold Gibbs, Lenard Buckenara, Mark Flynn, George Flynn, Daniel Slattery, William Combs, Percy Williams, Jack Williams, John Hanrahan and Joseph Slattery. Photo of Ferguson District honouring those who served during WW1 in the 1920s. Photo courtesy of Steve Gibb's book Memories of the Ferguson Australian War Memorial National Anzac Centre City of Bunbury Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre City of Bunbury Shire of Dardanup Ferguson Valley

21.01.2022 STAY SAFE AT HOME An elderly Bunbury woman recalled the town's early times (70 years or so ago) when a 10 pm curfew told people it was time to be off the dark streets and safe into their homes. Just a month ago many parties were just getting going by 10 pm. Now with the coronavirus no one is outside, let alone at 10 pm! South Western times, October 22, 1953

20.01.2022 PRIVATE BASIL NARROWAY GIBBS: LOCAL ANZAC HERO I can tell you I wouldnt mind being at home now. It would be a bit warmer than it is here. I wasnt satisfied when I was at Blackboy Hill but if I was back there now I wouldnt be in a hurry to get away. Ive seen enough of the trenches to satisfy me but I suppose I will see some more before long. - Private Basil Narroway Gibbs, Western Front, France 28 October 1916 Basil wrote this letter to his brother Herbert of Ferguson Va...Continue reading

20.01.2022 GEORGE WILLIAM FLOYD'S STEAM CARRIAGE AND IMPLEMENT WORKS, BUNBURY Floyd's business, established in 1865 on the corner of Stirling and Stephen Streets in Bunbury, was a well-known carriage builder that performed numerous jobs from building bridges, houses and carriages. The following is the experience of a writer, pen-named Phoenix, who toured the premises in 1888 and sent in thwir experience to be published in the West Australian Newspaper on 6 March 1888. "Among other place...Continue reading

19.01.2022 CASE ADJOURNED On January 13, 1898 at the Bunbury Police Court, before Mr W.H. Timperley R.M.(pictured), a man named Morgan Ambrose was charged by Isaac Kelson with stealing a gold watch and chain. The prosecutor, who was late in putting in an appearance, was under the influence of liquor. He walked to the table in the Court House and saluted the Magistrate in military-style. Seeing his condition, Mr Timperley had him locked up until 2pm that day and adjourned the case until then. (Photo courtesy Western Mail, 28 September 1901) City of Bunbury Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre National Library of Australia

19.01.2022 BUNBURY'S FIRST WOMEN FOOTBALLERS Females playing traditional mens sports raises debate to this day, so imagine what it was like for Bunbury women 100 years ago in particular, the brave girls who founded the local Girls Football Association. Yes, thats right, womens football was alive (and kicking) in 1921, thanks to the interest and pioneering attitude of a group of girls who made up the inaugural teams the Wallabies and the Kangaroos! They faced much opposition, wit...h the local Mothers Union voicing their concerns and passing a motion of censure upon the unmaidenly and immodest practice of girls playing football, whilst debate raged in newspapers. One somewhat cynical correspondent related his perceptions to the South Western Times in August 1921 Yesterday, I spent some time, on the Bunbury Recreation Ground, to decide for myself whether the Mothers' Union were right in protesting against the girls playing football or whether Mr. Hubble was correct in his contention that the people of Bunbury should not be denied the innocent diversion of watching the girls make themselves look ridiculous. I came to the conclusion that the mothers need have no occasion for anxiety. Girls have considerable common sense. A glance around the crowd showed practically the same look upon the faces of all the men present. It was an expression of amused, tolerant, contempt. Am I to understand that the two teams were called the Kangaroos versus the Wallabies. Surely not. There must be some mistake. It should be the Kittens versus the Fluffs. As to the ball it is a perfect scandal that it should be of leather. A dainty little thing in wool would be far more appropriate. The play, of course, was just as it should have been. It was delightfully feminine. There is however, one great defect in the costume. I am sure every girl will agree with me that each player should carry a receptacle for a little powder puff and mirror. That would be so appropriate and make the game complete. Thanks to women like these and almost a century of social change, women are now able to play the sport professionally in the Women's AFL. City of BunburyBunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre Leigh Barrett Heritage Memories of Bunbury National Library of Australia ABC South West South Western Times Bunbury Football Club - Womens Team AFL Women's AFL South West AFL For Life Program AFL Foster Women's Football

19.01.2022 Isnt it a beautiful morning in Bunbury!

18.01.2022 BUNBURYS FIRST WOMEN FOOTBALLERS Females playing traditional mens sports raises debate to this day, so imagine what it was like for Bunbury women 100 years ago in particular, the brave girls who founded the local Girls Football Association. Yes, thats right, womens football was alive (and kicking) in 1921, thanks to the interest and pioneering attitude of a group of girls who made up the inaugural teams the Wallabies and the Kangaroos! They faced much opposition, wit...h the local Mothers Union voicing their concerns and passing a motion of censure upon the unmaidenly and immodest practice of girls playing football, whilst debate raged in newspapers. One somewhat cynical correspondent related his perceptions to the South Western Times in August 1921 Yesterday, I spent some time, on the Bunbury Recreation Ground, to decide for myself whether the Mothers Union were right in protesting against the girls playing football or whether Mr. Hubble was correct in his contention that the people of Bunbury should not be denied the innocent diversion of watching the girls make themselves look ridiculous. I came to the conclusion that the mothers need have no occasion for anxiety. Girls have considerable common sense. A glance around the crowd showed practically the same look upon the faces of all the men present. It was an expression of amused, tolerant, contempt. Am I to understand that the two teams were called the Kangaroos versus the Wallabies. Surely not. There must be some mistake. It should be the Kittens versus the Fluffs. As to the ball it is a perfect scandal that it should be of leather. A dainty little thing in wool would be far more appropriate. The play, of course, was just as it should have been. It was delightfully feminine. There is however, one great defect in the costume. I am sure every girl will agree with me that each player should carry a receptacle for a little powder puff and mirror. That would be so appropriate and make the game complete. Thanks to women like these and almost a century of social change, women are now able to play the sport professionally in the Womens AFL. City of BunburyBunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre Leigh Barrett Heritage Memories of Bunbury National Library of Australia ABC South West South Western Times Bunbury Football Club - Womens Team AFL Womens AFL South West AFL For Life Program AFL Foster Womens Football

18.01.2022 Eliza Cons complete biography can now be viewed on our website at https://www.streetsofbunbury.com/eliza-cons

17.01.2022 FIRE AT THE THEATRE A career in cinema in the early days could be quite dangerous as the owner-manager of Bunburys Lyric Theatre, Mr Don Swansen, found out one Thursday evening in November 1920. Mr Swansen had just concluded the showing of the advertising slides and was about to switch to the programme when a loop of film hanging from the large spool to the top of the lamphouse caught on fire. Mr Swansen tried to douse the flames by grabbing the burning film in his hands -... a recognised operator's practice but to no avail. He then removed the pin holding the spool in place and, depositing the burning film on the floor, covered it with a wet blanket, believing he had extinguished the flame. However, after a few seconds, the whole mile of films including the pictures The Overland Motor Co film, Larry Semon comedy and Charlie Chaplin in A Dog's Life were aflame. The operator, seeing that there was no hope for the film and was breathing in the toxic fumes rising from the burning celluloid, jumped through the flames to escape. The fire brigade was soon on the scene, and luckily beyond the operating room, where the fire commenced, practically no damage was done. The theatre was naturally filled with smoke, but the test the operating room received should be sufficient to convince people in future that there is absolutely no danger to the general public witnessing a show. - South Western Times November 1920 Mr Swansen received bad burns on his hands and to the back of his neck where the film became entangled, while an attendant named Donovan fell over the balcony owing to the weight upon the firehose he was endeavouring to carry. He was seen by a doctor and was soon back at work. It was deemed advisable not to continue the Thursday show, with the theatre opening to the public free of charge the following night, and patrons watching the programme "The Thoroughbred without mishap. The theatre staff were praised remaining at their posts as the drama unfolded, in particular Miss Lyla Hands who throughout the incident rendered musical items. Photo courtesy of the Internet Movie Database (IMBd)

16.01.2022 ELIZA CONS (1842 - 1924) When the history of the nineteenth century of progress in London has been written few names will have more right to be recognised than that of this sturdy advocate for all that makes for the betterment of the working classes. - Southern Times 17 August 1912 In 1999, as part of the Centenary of Womens Suffrage celebrations, Eliza Conns was honoured as one of twelve women who contributed to the Bunbury region. While she is most remembered in Bunbury ...for establishing the Sailors Rest in 1910, her influence in the town at the time was far wider. From the time Eliza arrived in Bunbury in 1889 to help her invalid sister, Mrs Emma Forrest, until the time of her death in 1924, she worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people in that community by providing first-class entertainment through the concerts she organised, advocating for the rights of women, providing activities for the children, serving on the Wellington Education Board and, of course, looking out for the welfare of the sailors visiting the port. For more Bunbury biographies head to: www.streetsofbunbury.com/bunbury-biographies City of Bunbury Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum State Library of Western Australia National Library of Australia South Western Times Photo courtesy of the State Library of Western Australia (066466PD: Eliza Cons ca. 1900). Many thanks to our volunteer Gaye Englund for her research

16.01.2022 KANGAROO ON THE MENU Regular contributor Moriarity commented that Blackwood settlers were taking active measures to provide some protection to kangaroos, adding it was high time too. He believed that if the wholesale slaughter of the marsupials carried on at the same rate much longer, it might become a calamity. I am of the opinion that few people know the real value of the kangaroo from every point of view than those who reside in the Blackwood district, he said. Th...ere is scarcely a house you go to that there are not one or two hind quarters hanging from the wall plate of the verandah, affording the residents fresh rump steak every day. He continued some people seem to be ashamed to admit the fact of their continually using the flesh of the marsupials for food, saying 'We like it for a change occasionally and that's all.' But speaking plainly, without any exaggeration, you may start from Dardanup and travel through the Upper, and Lower Blackwood and Kojonup right into King George's Sound and nearly every species of humanity which you meet on the way, be confident, and bet your bottom dollar they are kangaroo eaters. Therefore the sooner they protect them from wholesale destruction the better it will be for their own interests, peace of mind and the cravings of Appetite. -Southern Advertiser 24 April 1988 Kangaroo Meat City of Bunbury Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre Australian Wildlife

16.01.2022 BUNBURY CHILDREN IN 1911 The W.A. Record, a Catholic-based newspaper, was run from 1888-1922 and holds some wonderful photos of Bunbury youth in 1911. These photos of literacy prize winners and successful exam candidates show the uniforms of the Bunbury boys and girls that attended St Joseph's and St Mary's convent schools in 1911. Some of the children pictured include Doris King the first prize essay winner and Claud Delaney, a scholarship recipient. Photos courtesy of the N...ational Library of Australia Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre City of Bunbury Bunbury Catholic College Diocesan Youth Ministry Office - Catholic Diocese of Bunbury Bunbury Catholic Parish Bunbury Catholic College Mercy Campus St Mary's Catholic Primary School Bunbury Kids Activities

15.01.2022 BUNBURYS DESTINY ROW! A section of Spencer Street was tagged Destiny Row in the early 1950s as it was noticed that the area featured four businesses in this order - motor car showroom, doctor, undertaker, monumental mason. The undertaker remains to this day

15.01.2022 4 CORNWALL STREET, STIRLING STREET CARPARK In 1941, Number 4 Cornwall Street was inhabited by the Martins who had a daughter, Dorothy Stephanie Martin at Saint Clairs Private Hospital on 27 March 1941. The following year the Martins vacated the premises to make way for the Hunters. Records indicate that the Hunters lived at the property from 1942 until at least 1963. Richard Dick Thomas Hunter (1891-1971) was the primary occupant of 4 Cornwall Street with his wife, Elsie ...Babe Catherine Hunter née Nuttall (1906-1980). The couple married in 1938 in Maylands and then moved to Bunbury where they had previously lived. Richard was employed by the Western Australian Government Railway (WAGR) for which he worked all his life as a mail clerk. Richard's father, John Laird Hunter (1868-1945) also worked for the Western Australian Government Railway as a guard before retiring to his sons home, 4 Cornwall Street in 1943. During Johns life and career as a train guard he was witness to many horrific accidents. In 1898 on the Boulder Train Line, an 18-month-old child, Robert Leo Davey, was run over after wandering away from his house. In 1901 a passenger, Mary Reid, fell between the platform and train, and although appeared fine when rescued, she later died of her injuries. The following year while doing his rounds as a guard on the train, John noticed a bump while travelling and called into the next station to investigate. The bump was the train running over George Henry Thorne. After retiring, John spent the rest of his life living with his son, passing away at 84 years old on 9 December 1945 and was buried in the Church of England section of the Karrakatta Cemetery. Mary Ann Nuttall née Offer (1868-1952), Richards mother-in-law, died on 10 September 1952 at 4 Cornwall Street. Mary was 84 years old and had spent her entire life in the Bunbury area. From 1915 to 1928 Mary and her husband John ran Toronto House (Koombana House), a guest house in Bunbury located where Koombana Court now stands. City of Bunbury Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Western Australian Rail Transport Museum Western Australian Government Railway Karrakatta Cemetery Memories of Bunbury Bunbury Mail South Western Times https://www.streetsofbunbury.com/4-cornwall-street-stirling

14.01.2022 While looking on the State Records Office of Western Australia website we came across this map with aboriginal place names in Bunbury in feint writing. One of our tech savvy employees has magnified these, creating a new map and valuable resource on Bunbury's original place names, showing us how they have been adapted into English and acknowledged by the cartographers. The names on this map are Bullijup, Wulalup, Gwenilup, Quinijup, Wylalup and Donabenup. More Noongar names of... places in Bunbury can be found at Ngalang Wongi Aboriginal Cultural Tours website. State Records Office of Western Australia City of Bunbury Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre State Library of Western Australia Ngalang Wongi Aboriginal Cultural Tours South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council 100.9fm Noongar Radio Nyoongar Dictionary

14.01.2022 THE GILLS John James Gill and Mary Ellen Gill ne Kelly were both born in Victoria. They migrated to Western Australia and were married in Bunbury on 15 January 1900. Together they had two children, Leslie and Louisa. Growing up in Bunbury, their children attended the Childrens Balls, one of which Leslie dressed up as a swagman. In 1913 his sister Louisa received honours from the Trinity College of Music, London in her preparatory exam taken at the Sisters of Mercy Bunbury c...onvent. Leslie went off to the Western Australian School of Mines to study Building Construction from 1918 to 1921. John worked as a storekeeper in Wellington Mills in partnership with Robert Thomas Muir for their firm, Muir and Gill, for a time before they dissolved it on 8 February 1910. Following the dissolution, the Gills entered the hotel business, running Toronto House, a Coffee Palace on Victoria Street, Bunbury. In November 1910 The Gills were successful in being the first to lease the Grand Central Coffee Palace. Almost immediately after approval, Mary began applying for the licence required to run an eating, boarding and lodging house. As the Gills already ran a Coffee Palace, Toronto House on Victoria Street, Mary took over managing the new establishment while waiting for their old lease to expire. In 1911 they had extensions made to the Coffee Palace to offer electric light, hot and cold baths and electric fans to their guests. In 1915 the Gills lease at Toronto House ended and began working together managing the Grand Central Coffee Palace until their contract finished in 1926. In 1921 John was called to give a character reference before the Divorce Court in regards to the marriage of Robert and Eleanor Holmes. The Gills then moved to Mullewa, a town 100 km east of Geraldton to run the Railway Hotel. The following year, Mary was involved in a criminal case where Andrew Olsen stole a bottle of brandy from her hotel. Mary stood as witness to the crime, and the accused was sentenced to 2 months hard labour and had to return the bottle. In 1934 on 7 July Mary transferred her lease and licence on the Railway Hotel to Benjamin Burch. John and Mary spent their later life in Glenelg, South Australia. John died at 90 years of age on 4 February 1955, followed by Mary on 24 July 1966, one day after her 91st birthday. Special thanks to Robyn McCallum for her family photos and stories. https://www.streetsofbunbury.com/the-gills Trinity College London Institute of Sisters of Mercy in Australia and Papua New Guinea Western Australian School of Mines The Railway Hotel Mullewa Shire of Mullewa City of Bunbury Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum National Library of Australia South Western Times Bunbury Mail

14.01.2022 THE SUNDAY TIMES SEARCH FOR BONNIE BABIES In 1927 six-month-old Patricia June Campbell of 1 Cornwall Street, Bunbury was one of the finalists in the Sunday Times competition to find the most beautiful baby. This Western Australian competition was run several times over the years with many Bunbury entrants. Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum City of Bunbury National Library of Australia PerthNow Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre Leigh Barrett Heritage Memories of Bunbury

13.01.2022 BUNBURY'S HONEYMOON TRAIN A Bunbury tradition for newlyweds heading off to Perth and beyond on their honeymoon upset locals in 1927. The day after Valentines Day, the South Western Times reported the many complaints about the time-honoured tradition of train crews making weird noises on the whistle as the midnight train drew out of the station, with honeymooners on board. The majority of wedding festivities in Bunbury terminated at the railway station somewhere about 11 pm... when friends of the newlyweds indulged in the custom of affixing old boots to 'the carriage door of the reserved' compartment, and chalked the luggage with elaborate inscriptions informing the world at large that the turtle doves in such and such a carriage were happily married. On many occasions the train crew joined in the excitement by making noises on the whistle as the Midnight Horror slowly left the station that is, of course, when the engine has a sufficient head of steam to enable it to whistle in addition to pulling its load. Apparently, when a railway worker was the groom, in addition to a whistle solo, fog signals are brought into requisition and the subsequent detonations resemble a miniature bombardment. The correspondent noted that these festivities and signs of enjoyment are taken as part of the ceremony by those immediately concerned, but there are others who strongly object. Due to the complaints a letter was sent to the station master who replied that the matter of the "unnecessary whistling of engines is receiving attention. Photo of tourists in Bunbury in 1929 courtesy of the Western Mail South Western Times City of Bunbury Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre National Library of Australia Australind - Perth To Bunbury State Library of Western Australia Western Australian Rail Transport Museum Lost Australia

12.01.2022 The Museum of Perth is working to identify this portrait of an unknown soldier. Is he your great uncle or Grandfather? Tune in to 10 News First Perth at 5pm for the story.

11.01.2022 EARLY MEMORIES OF BUNBURY Reverend Joseph Henry Withers was appointed as a Colonial Chaplain in 1863 and was sent to Western Australia with his wife, Sarah and three children, Edward, George and Mary. The following are excerpts describing the early days of Bunbury in 1864 from Edward's diary and submissions to the South Western Times. "Bunbury then consisted of about 20 houses in the main street, none of them very elaborate, and there was one public house, The Wellington Hote...Continue reading

11.01.2022 BUNBURYS HONEYMOON TRAIN A Bunbury tradition for newlyweds heading off to Perth and beyond on their honeymoon upset locals in 1927. The day after Valentines Day, the South Western Times reported the many complaints about the time-honoured tradition of train crews making weird noises on the whistle as the midnight train drew out of the station, with honeymooners on board. The majority of wedding festivities in Bunbury terminated at the railway station somewhere about 11 pm... when friends of the newlyweds indulged in the custom of affixing old boots to the carriage door of the reserved compartment, and chalked the luggage with elaborate inscriptions informing the world at large that the turtle doves in such and such a carriage were happily married. On many occasions the train crew joined in the excitement by making noises on the whistle as the Midnight Horror slowly left the station that is, of course, when the engine has a sufficient head of steam to enable it to whistle in addition to pulling its load. Apparently, when a railway worker was the groom, in addition to a whistle solo, fog signals are brought into requisition and the subsequent detonations resemble a miniature bombardment. The correspondent noted that these festivities and signs of enjoyment are taken as part of the ceremony by those immediately concerned, but there are others who strongly object. Due to the complaints a letter was sent to the station master who replied that the matter of the "unnecessary whistling of engines is receiving attention. Photo of tourists in Bunbury in 1929 courtesy of the Western Mail South Western Times City of Bunbury Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre National Library of Australia Australind - Perth To Bunbury State Library of Western Australia Western Australian Rail Transport Museum Lost Australia

11.01.2022 ROYAL VISIT 1920 On 6 July 1920 the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VIII visited Bunbury during his 1920 Royal Visit to Australia. The Prince had planned to stay at The Rose, having reserved rooms, but did not end up staying. The town had prepared a large welcome for the Prince, with decorations everywhere including a large arch in Victoria Street with the word 'Welcome' on it. Sadly, the arch and many other decorations were blown over and littered the streets as Bunb...ury's weather was not on their side. Despite the wind, thousands of people waited at the Bunbury railway station for the Prince's arrival. Photo courtesy of the National Archives of Australia (NAA: A1861, 4504) National Archives of Australia National Library of Australia City of Bunbury Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Leigh Barrett Heritage South Western Times Lost Australia British Sovereigns & Royals The Royal Family History & Lives of the British Royals Rose Hotel

07.01.2022 GEORGE WILLIAM FLOYDS STEAM CARRIAGE AND IMPLEMENT WORKS, BUNBURY Floyds business, established in 1865 on the corner of Stirling and Stephen Streets in Bunbury, was a well-known carriage builder that performed numerous jobs from building bridges, houses and carriages. The following is the experience of a writer, pen-named Phoenix, who toured the premises in 1888 and sent in thwir experience to be published in the West Australian Newspaper on 6 March 1888. "Among other place...Continue reading

06.01.2022 RATS! In the winter of 1941 Bunbury was invaded by rats! It was reported that despite the offer by the Bunbury Municipal Council of a bonus of threepence for every carcass, the plague was becoming worse. The rats infiltrated business houses, damaged upholstery and destroyed merchandise. At a meeting of the Bunbury Health Board, Acting Mayor G. H. Joel said that, although he had no foodstuffs on his business premises, the rats had eaten the buttons off clothes and done other d...amage. Cr. Prosser said that a quantity of merchandise at his premises had been ruined by the rats. The final word came from Health Inspector F. S. Senior, who said the townspeople would have to be consistent in their fight it was no good some people trying to eradicate them and others doing nothing. Photo courtesy of the Sunday Times 12 February 1939 National Library of Australia Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Memories of Bunbury Memories of Harvey City of Bunbury Bunbury Pest & Weed Solutions Advanced Pest Control South West

06.01.2022 OLD BUNBURY POUND, 23 SPENCER STREET The Old Bunbury Pound was located on a large block with access to both Spencer Street and Cornwall Street. On 1 October 1862, the first impoundment notice was released by the Bunbury Pound keeper, William White, informing the public that a chestnut colt of about two years of age was impounded and if not claimed, would be sold to cover costs for its temporary upkeep at the Bunbury Pound. ...Continue reading

05.01.2022 BEER UNLIMITED IN BUNBURY Footscray football team were guests of the South Bunbury Football Club in 1953 (South Western Times, 22 October 1953). At the end of the visit Footscray's popular manager Mr Fawcett couldnt find words to describe the hospitality extended to his boys...so he summed up by quoting this sentence by creating an acronym for B U N B U R Y: "Beer Unlimited, Never Buy Unless Refused You." Photo courtesy of The Canberra Times 21 April 1991... The Canberra Times AFL South Bunbury Football Club South Western Times Bunbury Mail Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre City of Bunbury Bunbury Football Club National Library of Australia

05.01.2022 Bunbury mystery

04.01.2022 SEWING CIRCLE INITIATES HONOUR ROLL Bunbury Drill Hall was the scene of celebrations on the first anniversary of the Gallipoli landing with locals gathering for the unveiling of a roll of honour to the town and districts fallen heroes. Reverend Rodger (Chaplain, Forrest Park Camp), commended the Well-Wishers Women's Sewing Circle for their initiative in undertaking the sacred duty of producing an honour roll. He said these ladies had realised the glorious sacrifices made 1...Continue reading

04.01.2022 THE GILLS John James Gill and Mary Ellen Gill née Kelly were both born in Victoria. They migrated to Western Australia and were married in Bunbury on 15 January 1900. Together they had two children, Leslie and Louisa. Growing up in Bunbury, their children attended the Children's Balls, one of which Leslie dressed up as a swagman. In 1913 his sister Louisa received honours from the Trinity College of Music, London in her preparatory exam taken at the Sisters of Mercy Bunbury c...onvent. Leslie went off to the Western Australian School of Mines to study Building Construction from 1918 to 1921. John worked as a storekeeper in Wellington Mills in partnership with Robert Thomas Muir for their firm, Muir and Gill, for a time before they dissolved it on 8 February 1910. Following the dissolution, the Gills entered the hotel business, running Toronto House, a Coffee Palace on Victoria Street, Bunbury. In November 1910 The Gills were successful in being the first to lease the Grand Central Coffee Palace. Almost immediately after approval, Mary began applying for the licence required to run an eating, boarding and lodging house. As the Gills already ran a Coffee Palace, Toronto House on Victoria Street, Mary took over managing the new establishment while waiting for their old lease to expire. In 1911 they had extensions made to the Coffee Palace to offer electric light, hot and cold baths and electric fans to their guests. In 1915 the Gills lease at Toronto House ended and began working together managing the Grand Central Coffee Palace until their contract finished in 1926. In 1921 John was called to give a character reference before the Divorce Court in regards to the marriage of Robert and Eleanor Holmes. The Gills then moved to Mullewa, a town 100 km east of Geraldton to run the Railway Hotel. The following year, Mary was involved in a criminal case where Andrew Olsen stole a bottle of brandy from her hotel. Mary stood as witness to the crime, and the accused was sentenced to 2 months hard labour and had to return the bottle. In 1934 on 7 July Mary transferred her lease and licence on the Railway Hotel to Benjamin Burch. John and Mary spent their later life in Glenelg, South Australia. John died at 90 years of age on 4 February 1955, followed by Mary on 24 July 1966, one day after her 91st birthday. Special thanks to Robyn McCallum for her family photos and stories. https://www.streetsofbunbury.com/the-gills Trinity College London Institute of Sisters of Mercy in Australia and Papua New Guinea Western Australian School of Mines The Railway Hotel Mullewa Shire of Mullewa City of Bunbury Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum National Library of Australia South Western Times Bunbury Mail

03.01.2022 NURSE JESSIE EMILY JANE BRIGHT (1863-1934) Nurse Bright was a well-known midwife in the Bunbury area and ran a maternity home in Zoe Street for 10 years from 1914. In 1914 at 52 years old, she began advertising her newly opened maternity home on Zoe Street in Bunbury. Her lack of academic qualifications did not deter expecting mothers from using her services and the delivery list of her maternity homes first year shows she was delivering up to three babies in one day, with ...mothers travelling from as far as Perth to give birth under her care. Over seven years from 1914 to 1921, Nurse Bright operated the nursing home in Zoe Street, delivering several hundred babies whose mothers lived all over the South-West. As well as offering maternity services at her Zoe Street residence, Nurse Bright would also care for people who needed periods of recuperation. Nurse Bright, who had no children of her own but whose ministrations to hundreds of mothers will long be gratefully remembered died in 1934 on Christmas Eve after a long illness. She was 71 years old. In 1953, the Bunbury council named Bright Street in her honour. See more on Nurse Bright at https://www.streetsofbunbury.com/nurse-bright This article was researched and written by Gaye Englund for the Streets of Bunbury project. South Western Times Bunbury Herald Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre State Library of Western Australia National Library of Australia The Nest Southwest Midwifery Bunbury Maternity & Womens Clinic

03.01.2022 A THEFT WITH BITE! A thief saw several boxes in the back of a sedan parked in Victoria Street in April 1937. Assuming they contained something of value, he took off with them into the night. How disappointed the thief must have felt to discover, upon opening the boxes, they contained 100 sets of false teeth! Realising they were of little worth, the thief threw them away in disgust. Children found some of the merchandise and handed them over to the police. William Alfred Macka...y, a traveller for Faulding & Co, Perth (now known as Mayne Pharma), was in charge of the car. About two-thirds of the teeth were recovered. Photo of false teeth courtesy of the Australian Women's Weekly 27 February 1952 South Western Times The Australian Women's Weekly Vivid Smiles Dental Centre National Library of Australia Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre City of Bunbury Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Shop Mayne Pharma Bunbury Mail

02.01.2022 Eliza Cons' complete biography can now be viewed on our website at https://www.streetsofbunbury.com/eliza-cons

02.01.2022 HENRY SMITH (1875-1910) On Monday 28 December 1908 a 7.1 Richter Scale earthquake struck the port city of Messina, Sicily where Henry was moored aboard the steamship, SS Afonwen. Before dawn, Captain William Owen heard a tremendous noise but was unable to see the disaster through the thick dust cloud that had formed. At day-break Captain Owen and his crew, including Henry, went ashore to offer their assistance. They came across a five-story damaged building that had almost co...llapsed with children trapped on top. Using a rope, Henry and his crew performed a gallant rescue, saving 12 people. Today, this earthquake is remembered as a horrific natural disaster, having killed more than 100,000 people. For his part, Henry was presented with the Albert Medal for Bravery by King George V in 1910. Henry came to Bunbury onboard the SS Redbridge. At 12.30 am on 4 October 1910, Henry was returning to the Redbridge from an evening in Bunbury spent with mates when he fell to his death. Crew Members stated that when Henry tried to get from the jetty to the ships sloping turret deck, he slipped and fell underneath the wharf, never surfacing again. Some accounts said that he was crushed between the ship and the jetty. It was later decided that when he fell, he hit his head, went unconscious and drowned. The captain of the Redbridge had previously served with Henry and confirmed he was a steady and sober man, inferring that alcohol was not a cause for this tragic accident. His body was found on 7 October 1910. Henry, aged 35, was laid to rest at the Bunbury cemetery in 1910 and a memorial fundraised by the community was erected over his grave in 1911 to commemorate his bravery during life. You can visit Henry's grave at the Pioneer Cemetery section of the Bunbury Cemetery. The location of his grave can be found at the Bunbury Cemetery Heritage Walk http://bunburyheritagewalk.com.au/ Read more about Henry at https://www.streetsofbunbury.com/henry-smith South Western Times Bunbury Herald City of Bunbury Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre National Library of Australia Messina, Italy Worst Earthquakes In History

02.01.2022 BEWARE OF SHARKS Aerial patrols spotting sharks at our favourite Bunbury beaches brings some comfort to swimmers of the 2020s, but spare a thought for those going for a dip in our local waters in 1888. On March 6 of that year, The Southern Advertiser reported several sharks as being caught at the jetty (one reportedly nearly 8ft or 2.4m long) and advised bathers who did not 'patronise' the public baths on the estuary to beware. Later in the month (March 20) the newspaper re...corded Messrs Austin, Costello and Hayes, while fishing in the Bay for schnapper, a shark took the bait and they succeeded in hauling him into the boat.The shark was 10ft (3m) long and was taken to Mr Norths residence in White Road, where they took about 12 bottles of oil from the liver. (Photo courtesy Bunbury Herald 1 March 1893) City of Bunbury South Western Times Bunbury Herald National Library of Australia Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum See more

02.01.2022 FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE GALLIPOLI LANDING Twelve months on from the horrors of Gallipoli, Bunbury residents gathered to honour the sons they had lost and those still fighting in foreign lands. The Southern Times of 27 April 1916 noted that on 25 April 1915, the Australians, at what is now known as Anzac Cove, performed one of the greatest feats of arms in the history of modern times, "a deed that startled the whole world, and raised Australian soldiers at one bound into the... ranks of the world's best warriors." Bunbury and the South West can never forget the day, for when the first casualty list came through, nearly half the names in it were from this part of the State. It was not known for days afterwards that those names were of men who had helped in the ever-memorable landing, but the crowds that thronged Victoria-street in front of the Southern Times office watching the names go up choked down a sob as they read the identity of the first heroes to fall in the grim struggle. The day of the Landing put a new name on the map, it being composed of the initial letters of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. On Tuesday, therefore, Anzac Day was celebrated in Bunbury with solemnity and deep feeling, in memory of our brave dead, and with grateful thoughts of those who lived through the awful days of the Landing, and after events. In the morning, a Requiem was celebrated at the Cathedral, Bunbury, by his Lordship the Bishop, and amongst the large congregation were many relatives of those who took part in the Landing. Photo of returned soldiers and their families at the War Memorial, Bunbury in The West Australian 12 March 1929 Australian War Memorial National Anzac Centre Commemorations and War Graves Australia City of Bunbury Memories of Bunbury Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre Bunbury Historical Society - King Cottage Museum National Library of Australia Museum of Perth The West Australian

01.01.2022 The Narrogin Trading Company Bunbury Branch was established by Walter Henry Kaeshagen. This lovely photo held by the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre shows his business in Bunbury. Find out more about the Narrogin Trading Company, Walter and other faces and places of Bunbury at https://www.streetsofbunbury.com

01.01.2022 BUNBURY LOCKS DOWN As the worlds population experiences the ebbs and flows of the Covid-19 pandemic, in an era of 24/7 news, imagine what it must have been like in years past when contagious diseases were less easily controlled or remedied, when the very next ship on the horizon could bring disaster with it Bunbury has experienced border shutdowns on several occasions since the first settlers arrived, as locals have battled a variety of diseases from smallpox to typhoid, in...Continue reading