Kalamunda Voices
Discover a wide range of authentic oral histories about Kalamunda and surrounding districts.
Select the image to read about the lives of pioneers and their descendants as told by Kalamunda residents.
Full transcripts and audio are available for loan at the Kalamunda Library
Mr Ted Smailes
Interviewed by Linda Fennell October 1991
Ted remembers growing up and working at the Smailes Timber Mill in the early 1900s. He shares his memories of the changing demands for timber, the use of horses and a a very relaxed and carefree childhood.
Mrs Peggy Honnor (nee Locke)
Interviewed by Bindi Weir 23 January 1999
Peggy recalls her adoption as a baby, growing up in Kalamunda in the 1930s and the the effects of World War II in the hills area during her teen years.
Mrs Evelyn Kitney (nee McCullagh)
Interviewed by Gigi Hesterman on 15 April 2015
Evelyn remembers the isolation with very few properties around them in the 1930s. She recalls her life growing up in McCullagh Cottage, and the excitement of the dances and balls when she was a teenager.
Mrs Ignatia Paskulich (nee Dobric)
Interviewed by Gigi Hesterman on 1 October 2012
Migration, the loneliness of living in rural WA, a nonprofitable orchard in Piesse Brook, going to school and the dangers of bush burn offs all provide an insight into a migrants life in Kalamunda in the early 1900s.
Mr Edward Wise
Interviewed by Margaret Wansborough, on 4 July 1988
Edward (Ted) recalls growing up in Kalamunda, his families struggle with illness, tough times in an orphanage, raising goats and his various part time jobs as a boy in the early 1900s.
Mrs Hazel Jarvis (nee Hutchens)
Interviewed by Gretchen Forrest on 17 June, 2009
Hazel tells about growing up in a small community and the generosity of others. She remembers the trains, the zig zag, swimming at Piesse Brook, driving the buses and a long life of volunteering.
Mr James Findlay
Interviewed by Jeanette Achurch, August 2016
James (Jim) Findlay remembers the orchards, Tea Rooms and working at Kostera’s Garage in the 1940s. He recalls his dad’s war years and the local Indigenous families in Boonooloo Road, Kalamunda.
Mrs Rita Hunter (nee Wilson)
Interviewed by Gigi Hesterman in April 2013
Rita Wilson, a seventh generation Australian, recalls Haynes Street and the business owners who were her neighbours. She talks about establishing the Country Women's Association (CWA) in Walliston and running the real estate agency in Kalamunda in the 1940s
Mr Edwin Dell
Interviewed by Jeanette Achurch, 16 February 2015
Edwin recalls a difficult childhood with blankets made of jute sacks and mattresses made of bags, filled with old rags. He tells of clearing the land, his time with the YMCA and operating his own orchard and roadside kiosk.
Mrs Dorris Craig (nee Stirk)
Interviewed by an unknown interviewer in 1981
Dorris’ recollections and anecdotes of home life in the early days of Kalamunda are a wonderful insight into how the Stirk family entertained themselves in their leisure time, after the hard work in the orchard was done for the day.
Mrs Fay Curtis (nee Gibbs)
Interviewed by Gigi Hesterman, 19 October 2011
Fay recalls life in the timber mills of Pickering Brook and Karragullen in the 1930s, rations during World War II and how they purchased and stored their weekly groceries
Mrs Clara Hensworth (nee Ward)
Interviewed by Margaret Wansborough and Agnes Vandervelde in 1991
Migrating domestics, dealing with unwanted attention, living with adversity, the RSL Women’s Auxillary and life in Kalamunda in the 1930s are all included in Clara’s memoir
Mr Athol Farrant
Interviewed by Donald Dawson in March and April 2002
Athol recalls the Farrant pioneers, communication in the late 1800s, the first caged poultry farm in Western Australia and the local governments pursuit of retaining bush in Kalamunda.
Mrs Roma Ireland (nee Croxton)
Interviewed by Gigi Hesterman in April 2016
Piesse Brook, Explosion on the Canning Jarrah Company Line, St Brigids in the 1930s, working women in the1940s
Mrs Doris Mynors (nee Palmer)
Interviewed by Jeanette Achurch, 1 September 2014
The Pomeroy Brick Cottage, Piesse Brook Primary School, missing uncle changes his name and the use of Coolgardie Safes are all included in Mrs Mynors interview
Mrs Phyllis Alves (nee Jorgensen)
Interviewed by Jennifer Lewis (nee Alves), 1984
Mining accident, lost in the bush, teaching in rural WA and life in Carrolup Settlement with the first Australians are highlights of Mrs Alves interview
Mr James Crabb
Interviewed by Donald Dawson on 27 February 1996
Jim and Ada Crabb were well known and respected community members in Kalamunda, best remembered for their determination and courage to make their small business succeed against the odds.
Share Your Stories and memories of Kalamunda and surrounding districts.
If you, or someone you know, grew up in Kalamunda or surrounding districts and are interested in sharing your memories please contact the Kalamunda History Village on (08) 9293 1371 or complete the form below.
Interviews are conducted by trained interviewers who will ask questions about significant events. These are summarised and added to our local history collection.