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The Katanning Historical Society was the first branch of the Royal Western Australian Historical Society formed in the state. It continues to operate to this day and is currently responsible for managing the town museum and caring for its historical artifacts – some with state significance.
On 3 December of 1949, at the invitation of Mr Noel White, headmaster of the Carrolup Settlement school, the Katanning Historical Society met for a picnic meeting at the settlement. Below are two reports from the Great Southern Herald (16 December 1949 – p3) of that visit.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING AT CARROLUP
HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PICNIC OUTING
Great Southern Herald
16 December 1949 – p3
The recent meeting of the Katanning Branch of the Historical Society was held under most unusual conditions on December 3, when members and friends visited the Carrolup Native Settlement. The holding of the meeting at Carrolup had been arranged by the headmaster, Mr. Noel White, and proved so successful and enjoyable, it was later decided to endeavour to hold a similar outing each year.
On arrival at the settlement, the visitors were conducted by several native boys to a picturesque picnic spot at a bend on the river where an early tea was prepared. The place had been well selected and members spent an enjoyable two hours in a peaceful setting of peppermints and paperbarks at the river’s edge.
At 6-30 p.m., the party went on to the actual settlement area and were conducted through by Mr. White, who explained the uses to which the various buildings were put and the plans for the future development.
The party was introduced to Wyvan Moses, a 70-year-old full blood who told of Carrolup being a favoured native meeting place many years ago. The arrival of a Miss Locke as a missionary in 1914 was the first white influence at the camp. As a young man, Moses had worked as a shepherd for a Mr. Moir and had been given instruction in written and spoken English through the study and explanation of Scripture extracts.
The outing entered a third stage when the party was conducted to the Settlement school where native children presented a concert. The visitors were impressed with the display of native drawings decorating the school walls and the really exemplary school exercise books.
The items given by the children were of an extremely high standard, two-part songs particularly being sweetly rendered, and a number of brief sketches were presented with enthusiasm and marked ability. At the conclusion a cup, donated by Mr Gordon Beeck, was presented to 13-year-old Reynold Halt for being the most progressive pupil of the year.
The formal business of the branch was then dealt with, the president opening the meeting by welcoming several guests, Mesdames Freemantle, Horace Beeck, N. Griffiths, Dave Quartermaine, Miss P Sanderson and Mr. P. Balston. Reporting on behalf of the Museum Committee, Mrs. Day stated copies of the booklet “Pioneering Days,” prepared by the Branch, were now available for sale. Recent gifts to the museum had been an old coin from Mr Mullineaux, several photos of Katanning in the early days from Mr. A Thomson and, on loan only, a copy of “20th Century Impressions of W.A.” from Mr. B. Spry. The paper for the evening was presented by Mr. While and is published separately.
The meeting carried a vote of thanks to the Settlement Superintendent for granting permission for the visit. It was also decided that the Society should forward a letter to the Minister heartily endorsing the policy plan to improve and expand the manual, vocational and agricultural training at the Settlement, and also the provision of domestic training for native girls.
As an expression of thanks, it was decided to send the children a Christmas present of two cases of oranges. The day was concluded by a delightful supper being served by Mrs. White, for whom a very appreciative vote of thanks was carried with acclamation.
A paper by Mr Noel White
Headmaster, Carrolup Settlement school
CARROLUP RIVER HISTORY
AGE-OLD MEETING PLACE OF NATIVES
Great Southern Herald
16 December 1949 – p5
In the most appropriate setting of the Carrolup Native Settlement, an interesting paper of the early history of the age-old meeting place of natives was given by the Settlement headmaster, Mr Noel White, to members of the Katanning Historical Society at its meeting on December 3. The Historical Society meeting at Carrolup was arranged by Mr. White and his paper dealt with the broad issues of the native question.
In the light of the social changes sweeping over the nations of the world, there are definite signs of an upsurge by the minority and backward people for equality and progress. So it is with the fast vanishing Aboriginal race of Australia, one of the most ancient and backward in the world – a Stone age man – who inhabits this continent of ours, nomadic in his instincts, yet governed by tribal laws, living and hunting in the most primitive manner. Somehow, very little is known of their origin and dim past.
Perhaps when the proud Pharaohs of Egypt were building their pyramids in the valley of the Nile or when the Israelite’s in bondage, wept by the Euphrates and when Alexander’s shining legions crossed the mighty Himalayas and poured down the valley of the Indes, these nomadic blacks of this great south land walked backwards and forwards across this country in their struggle for existence – the inevitable search for food.
Confining these general remarks to the resent local history of Carrolup, it is well for us to ask such questions as:
“Why was this site chosen for a settlement?”
“What was it that attracted the natives here before the coming of the white man?”
It is interesting from the standpoint of this Society, that interesting and valuable light has been thrown on this place, by such sterling pioneers as Mr. and Mrs. Schubert who, in 1904, decided to take up land on the banks of this river. There were no roads in those days, so they literally had to hack a way through this virgin bush. These folks came from the drier areas of South Australia and were attracted to this site by the abundance of water, the beautiful natural flow and the possibilities the land offered.
A word about this bush land. It was covered with thick heavy trees while the banks of the river were overgrown with bulrushes and water lilies. The water itself was fresh and good for drinking. Today in contrast, due to the clearing of the land, the salt has come up and the resulting brackish water has destroyed many of those beautiful bushes that once adorned the banks.
The natives were seen to make their camp or mia-mias on the banks of what is known in the Aboriginal tongue at the Quangering Pool. Here they would stay for short periods at a time and then move off. Then others would come in the course of their wanderings, break their journey home, to rest, as it were, until the urge to go walkabout compelled them to move on.
If you take a cursory glance at the topography of this district it will be observed that due to the permanent water supply and abundance of the same, natives from the Albany – Wagin districts would naturally call here to rest or hunt before they moved on. These natives mostly came here during the summer months. In the winter water was plentiful everywhere hence natives travelled further afield. Who knows then that we are now standing on ground which perhaps has borne witness to the activities of native life drama and corroboree dating back a thousand years?
Daisy Bates
In 1914, a missionary by the name of Miss Loche, a person after the calibre of Mrs Daisy Bates came out here in a horse and buggy and pitched her tent alongside the home of Mrs. Schubert. Later, as he got to know the natives better, Mr. Schubert helped to build her a thatched room, on the site of the present farm sheds, and, living there permanently, she carried on her works of mercy.
The Government assisted her by making this place a ration station, where natives received a certain amount of flour, tea and sugar. In all these years of association with the real Aborigines, Mr. Schubert states that he found them honest and straight forward; they gave no trouble, nor did they steal or beg. If perchance they wanted some luxuries the white man had, such as watermelons, fruit and poultry, they always brought the choice kangaroo tail in exchange. Their strong sense of independence built up over the ages revealed itself in this way.
Very often in those early days it took these sturdy pioneers a day to travel to Katanning to obtain stores and a day to return and during this absence the natives never touched a thing on the farm. Now, in contrast, as the half caste population began to appear, customs and manners seemed to change.
One amusing incident is told by the same person. A beautiful patch of watermelons was about to be picked. Every day the owner would survey the work of his hands. At last he decided to pick the crop when, to his dismay, he discovered each watermelon was hollow, the contents had been carefully scooped out. This was done by creeping on the melon patch by night, then each melon was turned over, a hole cut in the rind, and the insides eaten. Then the plug was placed in the hole and the melon turned over and placed as before. Can you imagine the frustration of the owner?
The banks of these pools must bear witness to the age-old corroborees or native dances. These symbolic ceremonies were performed with all the dignity of their barbaric ideas. Mr. and Mrs. Schubert were once privileged to witness the weird corroboree when death occurred. The wailing and dancing are still vivid in their memories.
Briefly, the leading native, or medicine man, was painted in white ochre and decorated in the most hideous manner so as to appear terrible. This, it was explained, was to frighten away the evil spirits. In later years as more land was taken up in the surrounding districts, the natural hunting grounds of the natives became limited.
They began to appear on this place more frequently until finally the Government declared it a reserve. When the work of caring for the natives became too much for the missionary the Government took it over and formed a permanent Settlement in 1914. It was managed for a few years then it was closed and later reopened about the year 1939.
With the rapid increase of the half caste populations, it became apparent a little more than handing out rations should be done. There was the health of the natives to consider, the education of children and the care of the aged. Other problems of delinquency appeared and throughout the country – the problem has developed into a national one.
Now what of the future? Anthropologists have made a great study of this race and they are agreed that they can and will take their places in our civilisation. However, it will take a little more than handing out rations to accomplish this. Already many of these dark’ skinned children are in the third and fourth generation and it is heartening to see the response and the results of their present education.
We must not be guided by sentiment but by a practical understanding of our responsibilities. What is needed is a sympathetic understanding, a constructive policy and a helpful hand to do what we can to make these people valuable citizens.
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