Historical Society
The first Royal Western Australian Historical Society affiliated branch in Western Australia.
The Society is responsible for preserving our history at the Katanning Museum.
The Katanning Museum and Heritage Precinct is situated off Amabel Street between Taylor and Richardson Streets in Katanning. Although there are several buildings on the site, the main two are Katanning’s first government school and the former Methodist Church.
How it all began:
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Branch Formed in Katanning
Western Mail Perth
5 May 1937
KATANNING, April 30.
A successful meeting was held at the home of Mr. A. Thomson, ML.C., last night, when 27 persons responded to the invitation issued by Mr. Thomson to discuss the formation of a branch of the Western Australian Historical Society at Katanning.
Mr. Thomson read correspondence from the secretary of the society and from the Police Department relative to the necessity for research into the early history of the district.
Mr. L Synnott said the history of the State was so brief that there were present people whose grandparents were amongst the first settlers in the district, and who had taken part in the earliest administration of the State when a Crown colony. Time was robbing the district of the direct descendants of these pioneers, and unless immediate action were taken to obtain and collate their memories, the opportunity would be lost for all time.
Subsequently Mr. J. F Haddleton successfully moved “that those present form themselves into a branch of the Western Australian Historical Society.”
Several speakers expressed a hope that the activities of the branch would be district-wide, to include members of the early families not actually in the immediate vicinity of Katanning. From the constitution it was ascertained that this could be given effect to.
Mr. T. Haddleton gave a brief resume of the association of his parents with the early settlement of the district. He claimed to be the first white child born in the district, his father being one of the first to take up land in the vicinity of Katanning, while his mother was a daughter of Sergeant McKenna, the first police trooper stationed at Katanning.
It was resolved that consideration be given to the erection of a memorial at the Police Pools, to bear the names of Sergeant McKenna, Trooper Grover and Trooper Fahey, with relative dates. The meeting decided that the district should comprise a 30-mile radius of Katanning.
The following office bearers were elected:-
President, Mr. A. Thomson, M.L.C.;
Vice-Presidents, Mr. T. E. Haddleton and Mr. H. V. Piesse, M.L.C.;
Keeper of Records, Mr. H. W. A. Taylor:
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. I. Synnott;
Assistant Secretary and Research Officer, Mr. H. W. Baker;
Committee, Mesdames J. K Walter, Cornelius, Graham, Hillman and Messrs. W. D. Grover, J. F. Hillman and J. F. Haddleton.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY WORK.
Great Southern Herald
26 September 1936 – P3
To the Editor.
Sir,
I am pleased to hear that the question of the formation of a branch of the Historical Society is being discussed in Katanning. I quite agree with the views expressed by “Filius Terrae” in your issue of the 9th September regarding the need for such a branch at Katanning. I desire to say, in support of the statement made by Mr. Robert Stephens in your issue of the 12th id em, that my society will do everything possible to assist the project.
There is a great deal of work to be done historically in Western Australia, particularly of a research nature in country districts. My society would therefore welcome the formation of branch of the society in such an important town as Katanning.
If the branch eventuates, I am sure its members will derive immense satisfaction from research successes, quite apart from the enjoyment which awaits them in listening to the thrilling tales of Western Australian history and deeds of accomplishment. Especially as the latter reveal the robust characteristics of our pioneer country men and women who stand out so boldly in our history of which we are so proud.
The recording of our history is really important even to our present-day existence. Some people would look upon it as a hobby, but it is not always so. Western Australian history is of great moment to us. In our school days we learned lots of history but little Western Australian history. Let us repair the omission, because Western Australia has problems and difficulties peculiar to itself. In the determination of them we should know what has happened before. Almost every day I am asked to trace some historical fact to assist in a decision or course of action proposed and often particulars respecting families are of the utmost importance. In view of this, and as historical work is of value to the State, I would strongly urge the establishment of a branch of the society at Katanning.
The rules relating to the formation of branches of the Western Australian Historical Society are as follow:
“A branch of the society may be established in any town or district within the State outside the metropolitan area of Perth, or by any group of Western Australians resident in other countries: Provided that not less than eight members are enrolled
“Upon receipt of a request in writing from not less than eight persons qualified to form a branch in accordance with the preceding rule, the Council may, at its discretion, issue a certificate creating a branch of the society. The said certificate shall define the district to be covered by such branch.
“Such branch shall have power to govern itself as it considers best, provided that its objects and rules are consistent with those of the society and are approved by the Council.
“A copy of the rules and regulations of the branch shall, within one month of their being passed be forwarded to the honorary’ secretary of the society for the approval of the Council, and all alterations, additions or repeals of such rules and regulations shall in like manner be forwarded within one month of any alteration, addition or repeal being made.
“The names and addresses of the executive members of the branch shall be forwarded by the secretary of the branch to the honorary secretary of the society within one month of their appointment.
“The secretary of each branch shall
(a) during the month of January of each year forward to the honorary secretary of the society an annual report of its activities, including the records of meetings, functions, etc. with an audited statement of accounts of the local branch, and the names and addresses of the members of such branch;
(b) send to the honorary secretary of the society an affiliation fee of one guinea (£1/1/-). The branch thus accounted for shall be entitled to receive from the society during the year for which such fee is paid, two copies of future numbers of the “Journal” for that year, together with any other literature circulated by the society. Members of an affiliated branch requiring additional copies of the “Journal” may receive them on payment of such charge as the Council may prescribe;
(c) endeavour to interest the community in the branch and its activities, and encourage members to active investigation and enquiries from the older residents of the district with a view to preserving and perpetuating the local history.
“The objects of the society are:
(1) Collection, classification and preservation of records and articles concerned with the history of Western Australia;
(2). Publication of selected records from time to time, either in special bulletins or in an official journal of the society;
(3) Interchange of information among members of the society by lectures, readings, discussions and exhibitions of historical treasures;
(4) Encouragement of the study of Western Australian history;
(5) Creation of a public opinion favouring the preservation of worthy historical relics and fit recognition of notable anniversaries of Western Australian history;
(6) The promotion of social gatherings of members at determined intervals;
(7) The securing, of premises which could be used as a social centre for members, and a repository for the documents of the society;
(8) That establishment of branches.”
F. I. BRAY.
Chairman, Memorials Committee,
W.A. Historical Society, and Member of State Archives Board.
57 Murray St, Perth,
18th September, 1936.
Letters connect with the past
Great Southern Herald
3 December 2015
by Gareth Thomas
The Katanning Historical Society was given a unique insight into what life was like in the town during the early 20th century. English amateur historian and author Ginny Cook presented a compilation of letters between an English migrant in Katanning and his family back home.
Ms Cook, who inherited the shoe-box full of correspondence from her great uncle Norm Evans, felt she had a great responsibility to preserve the letters. The letters are a chronicle of Mr Evans’ passage to Fremantle in 1911, his life on the land in Katanning and his experience in some of the most brutal theatres and prisoner of war camps during World War I.
Ginny and her husband Steve have travelled through France, Germany and Poland to visit the places their great uncle wrote about before ending up in Katanning. Norm Evans returned to Katanning after his time in the Australian Imperial Force and lived until 1953.
KATANNING’S JUBILEE.
Proposal for Commemoration.
West Australian
4 March, 1938 – p16
KATANNING, March 2. – At a meeting of the Katanning branch of the W.A. Historical Society held last Thursday it was recalled that the fiftieth anniversary of the completion of the Great Southern railway line and the consequent establishment of Katanning as a town and railway centre would fall in June, 1939.
The secretary, Mr. L Synnott, suggested that the branch should take steps to commemorate the event, and placed before members for consideration a proposal for a “Katanning Jubilee Week.” He considered that a year was little enough time in which to organise such a function, and if it were considered worth while an announcement should be made immediately. After considerable discussion it was re solved to make a preliminary announcement that the branch proposed to commemorate the jubilee of Katanning in 1939, and that the support of various public and sporting bodies be invited.
Further, it was decided to write to the Katanning Road Board and Katanning Chamber of Commerce announcing the intentions of the branch and inviting the co-operation of those bodies.
Although he had depastured sheep at Katanning as early as 1840, it was not until 1860 that Elijah Quartermaine left Beverley with his family and settled at Katanning on the property known as Yowangup. He is regarded as the first permanent settler, for the scattered population at the time of his arrival comprised sandalwooders and kangaroo hunters. More settlers came afterwards, but the town was not given proper status until the Great Southern railway was opened. The line was commenced from both ends and the junction took place at Katanning. When it was opened to traffic on June 1, 1889, Katanning was given its first impetus as a township.
MORE READING
Royal Western Australian Historical Society
The Katanning Historical Society was founded in 1937 and is believed to be the oldest affiliated society in W.A. The first museum was established in the Town Hall after Katanning’s Jubilee. The museum was moved to the old school at the corner of Taylor and Amabel Street in 1965. Continue reading
Katanning School in foreground with the Methodist Church behind it.
PIONEERS MEMORIES
William Grover
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