Kalamunda Voices

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

John recalls helping with meat deliveries, playing cricket, the Kalamunda Show and delivering telegrams in the hills

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

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.

Piesse Brook, Explosion on the Canning Jarrah Company Line, St Brigids in the 1930s, working women in the1940s

Pickering Brook in the 1920s, Brumbies, Cold Storage, Politics and Hydroponics feature in Mr Spriggs life

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

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

A lottery win, migration, murder and flamboyant balls researched across four generations feature in Mrs Byett’s interview

Mr Honnor remembers his drunken headmaster, mischief, mayhem, labouring in the stone pits and turning stone to gravel for roads.

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.

Puddlers, Bakers, Jockeys, horse drawn deliveries and a sense of community are all included in Mr Portwine’s interview.

Isolation, Brumbies, clearing the land, fires, storms and the orchard industry feature in Mr Hutchison’s interview.