77 Forrest Avenue

Bunbury, WA, 6230

(08) 9721 7546

For more inquiries

10:30AM-12:30PM Everyday

Or by prior appointment

Menu
Facebook

Bunbury history

Timeline of events

Leschenault (Botanist)

Jean Baptiste Louis Claude Theodore LESCHENAULT de la Tour (November 13, 1773 – March 14, 1826) was a French botanist and ornithologist. When Baudin’s expedition anchored close to the present site of Bunbury in Geographe Bay in March 1803, a boat was sent to examine a promising inlet at the shore. It was found to be only suitable for small vessels. They named the inlet Leschenault Inlet after the botanist on board ‘Le Geographe’. Leschenault was later left behind at Timor in 1803 when he became ill, but he returned to France in 1807.



Captain Nicolas Thomas Baudin

The Geographe under the French explorer Captain Nicolas Thomas Baudin, leading a scientific expedition which left Le Havre,France in 1801, visited an anchorage on the western coast of Terra Australis. A survey party reported that the opening was a shallow bar guarding the entrance of an extensive area of water. He named the area Port Leschenault after the expedition’s botanist John Claude Baptiste Leschenault de La Tour.

Collie and Preston

Dr. Alexander Collie and Lt. Preston RN (HMS Sulphur) in November (3 months after the Swan Colony established), left Fremantle in 2 whaleboats and a week later explored the coast around Port Leschenault. The Collie and Preston Rivers were named after them. Alexander died in Albany in 1835. and is buried on the site of the present Town Hall.

Lt. Henry Bunbury arrives

21 Dec.- Lieutenant Henry William St. Pierre Bunbury (1812-1875) of the 21st Fusiliers arrived in Sydney Town in July 1834 where he was appointed as aid-de-camp to Governor Bourke.
He served in Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) in 1835/1836.
In December 1836 he travelled from Pinjarra to Vasse, meeting Governor Stirling (who arrived aboard the Government Schooner ‘Champion’ from King George’s Sound) on the 18th.
The Governor told Bunbury that Port Leschenault would be re-named Bunbury in his honour.

Lt. Henry Bunbury leaves

8 November – Lieutenant Henry Bunbury leaves Fremantle aboard the brig ‘Hero’ bound for London.
He stopped off at Capetown to avoid the English winter. He arrived in London in May 1938, where he was, on the 17th August, promoted to Captain, then in the 33rd Regiment, served in Gibraltar, The West Indies, Canada and India.
Promoted to Major he married Cecilia, then served in the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers during the Crimean War from 1853.
After promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in 1854 he became commandant of the Regiment in 1855.
Retiring in 1862, he died in 1875 aged 63.

John and Helen Scott

John and Helen arrived from Lanark, Scotland at Fremantle on the Ship “Eliza” on 5th March 1831, farming at Guildford. They arrived in Port Leschenault (Bunbury) aboard the Colonial schooner ‘Champion’ on 4th January 1838 accompanied by Governor Stirling who promised them 330 acres on the Preston River in return for managing his vast landholdings.

Eelup Farm was located at the present site of the Eeelup Roundabout, being the first farm established in the Bunbury district.
Helen was also district nurse and midwife to both European settlers and Indigenous alike.

John and Helen retired in 1856, running the Koombana House boarding house, son Robert taking over the Farm.
They worshipped and were finally laid to rest in the grounds of Picton Church (built 1842), John dying in 1880 – the year that the property passed to others, due to no written agreement with Gov. Stirling.

Shipwreck: ‘Samuel Wright’

The 372 ton, 33 metre long American whaler, ‘Samuel Wright’ was wrecked in a gale at Koombanah Bay on 8th July. High and dry and relatively undamaged she was sold by auction to her captain, Francis Coffin, who remained at Port Leschenault, acting as the unofficial pilot until he was able to return to the United States.
372 ton – Wooden 110 x 28 x 13.7 feet(33.5×8.53×4.14m)-Salem Massachusetts- Owners JB Osgood. Ship rigged vessel, 2 decks, square stern, no galleries, billet head. Cargo: Whale oil.Lat.33°19.6/Long.115°38.9
Lying at Koombana Bay with ‘HUDSON’ and ‘NORTH AMERICA’. Gale came up at 20:00 7/7/1840. Chain cable parted leaving only 2 anchors. Main anchor stowed in hold.



Shipwreck: ‘North America’

8 July 1840: The 270 ton wooden whaler NORTH AMERICA lost in the same storm as the SAMUEL WRIGHT. Captain:Kempton. Owner: William Wheeler. Len: 31.45m. Beam:7.33m. Flag:USA. Lat.33°19.6 /Long.115°38.9
“on the 7th we had mild, gentle weather, wtth no appearance in the heavens of an approaching gale: in the evening however, we had fresh breezes from the N.E, which continued encreasing most rapidly without shifting to more than about N.N.E.: at midnight it blew a perfect hurricane: about sunrise, on the 8th, the wind shifted to North, but did not moderate. At 8 A.M. the wind shifted to N.N.W. and blew with unmitigated fury : about noon the wind suddenly shifted to the Westward and S/W., and moderated so quickly that by 4 P.M. there was not more than light airs from the Southward.”
[A ship of the same name was also wrecked at Pt.Leschenault – See 1843]



Original Moonlight Bridge

Original Moonlight Bridge Preston (a timber footbridge) opposite Moorland Homestead, spanning the Preston River, was built to link Reverend J R Wollaston’s property with his neighbour Assistant Surveyor Henry Ommanney.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the name “Moonlight” may have been connected with an Aboriginal named Moonlight who is said to have fallen from the bridge and drowned.

The bridge was later damaged by flood waters and repaired by Gervaise Clifton (manager of his sister’s property Moorlands). In 1910, another flood damaged the bridge and the Rose family objected to rebuilding it to maintain the family’s privacy.

Local sources believe that an original post remains in situ, marking the location of Moonlight Bridge.



Shipwreck: ‘Governor Endicott’

7 July, 1840, the 298-ton American whaler GOVERNOR ENDICOTT anchored in Geographe Bay, was caught by the same gale that wrecked the whalers Samuel Wright and North America at Koombana Bay, Bunbury. Near midnight Governor Endicott dragged its anchors and struck the bottom. At daylight the crew found themselves only two ship lengths from the shore and fearing the ship would break up, the third mate and five men got ashore in a whaleboat and tied a lifeline to a tree to allow the remaining crew to reach shore. She lies buried in the sand about 3.5 km west of the old entrance to Toby Inlet.
John Edicott was the first Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony (5 times in office between 1629 and 1664).

First Ship beacon

A storm lantern on a wooden keg may have been the Port’s first beacon located on the western point near to where the current lighthouse stands.
On Captain Stoke’s map a “Signal Hill” was marked to the northeast of “Mount Bunbury” – which is believed to be the present-day Marlston Hill.



Original European Cemetery

Now called the “Wardandi Burial Ground”. Nineteen European graves from 1841 – 1849 are believed to be in situ – originally surveyed and used as the earliest settler cemetery.
*WARDANDI is a Noongar language or dialectical group. The South West Boojarah region encompasses the towns of Capel, Margaret River, Witchcliffe, Augusta, Windy Harbour, Northcliffe, Pemberton, Manjimup, Bridgetown and Nannup.



Bury Hill – George Elliott

Bury Hill house built by George Elliott who occupied it from 1842-1871.
The property area was 20 acres. Dr Tom H Lovegrove leased in 1870. William Spencer leased from 1871-1883 purchased in 1883 and lived in (the now reduced in size) property until 1913 – building a new brick home to the front. Edwin Rose lived there 1913-1927. Sold to Sisters of St John of God in 1927. Hospital opened 11th December.
The Nuns two storey hostel was built facing Parkfield St. in 1958. In 1972 further extensions to the hospital necessitated demolition of the house remnants. Hospital re-located in 1999.



Bunbury Townsite

[Perth Gazette 23 Jan 1841]
Two lots of land (100 acre sections) were sold by the Acting Collector of Revenue at his office, on Wednesday week [13th Jan.] at the upset price of 12s. Per acre. There was no competition
…The townsite of Bunbury, at the port of Leschenault, is to be laid out in allotments immediately, ,and to be opened to the public for purchase
…The port of Leschenault has been termed the port of Australind; the Company have no right to assume this title, the land immediately adjacent to the port is the property of the Government, and no company should presume to deprive us, even in name, of the public right. The acknowledged title of the anchorage at Leschenault by our Government, is Koombana Bay. It is so set down in our maps, and we cannot allow any company to designate it otherwise than is recognised by public announcement emanating from the local authorities of Western Australia.

Coach Service Old Coast Road
A Coach Service along Old Coast Road to Mandurah was established following the completion of the road in November 1842 and continued until 1888.

St Marks Anglican Church
St Marks Anglican Church, Picton – Rev Wollaston First service 2/9/1842. On 8 July 1840 the American whaler Samuel Wright was wrecked in Koombana Bay. The skipper, Captain Coffin, salvaged timber from the whaler and built himself a cottage at Picton. In 1842 the cottage was purchased from Coffin by the newly arrived Reverend John Ramsden Wollaston, who had arrived to become chaplain at Australind but by that time the settlement was collapsing and he was told that there were no funds to build a church and nowhere to stay. With the help of local farmers he built his own church out of pitsawn timber using cloth soaked in linseed oil for the windows.

Bunbury Hotel
Charles Robinson announced on 1st October that he had opened an hotel recently by James Knight and that ‘travellers and gentlemen visiting Bunbury every attention will be paid to their comfort, combined with moderate charges’. On August 6th 1844, James Knight advised that he had resumed the business of the hotel. In 1846 the licence for the Bunbury Hotel was renewed to James Knight.
Shipwreck: ‘Elizabeth’
17 November – Ashore in a gale. 100 ton, 18.9m. Beam:4.59m teak Schooner built 1831. Owners: L & W Samson of Fremantle. 32 casks whale oil Lat.33°18.0/ Long.115°38.2 This vessel was driven on shore at Koombana Bay, Leschenault, in a fearful gale which lasted for five days. The particulars are detailed in the following communication from Messrs. Clifton and Stirling to the owners, dated Bunbury, I8th November, 1843: ” We regret io have to inform you that the schr. Elizabeth is lying a total wreck on the north beach at Bunbury, having parted her cable and come on shore during a heavy gale yesterday morning, It had been blowing strong from the N.W. for the last week, and on Wednesday last the Elizabeth parted her larboard cable. On Thursday evening, it came on to blow a heavy gale, which increased during the night”

Shipwreck: ‘North America’ (#2)
15 April – Refloated after being washed ashore near her namesake wreck of 1840, however another gale drove her ashore once again and she was soon a total wreck. Condemned and sold at auction. American wooden whaler. B1804. 285 tons 29m length. Captain:Grinnell. Cargo: 500 barrels oil. Lat.33°18.0 /Long.115°38.2
Leschenault Homestead – Cottage
Original cottages built from 1846. The more expansive Leschenault Homestead was built between 1854 and 1874 in wattle and daub style by William Pearce Clifton, who was a member of the Legislative Council of the then British colony and who was also the Resident Magistrate of Bunbury. The property on the banks of the Preston River, Bunbury, was originally known as Leschenault Park. The main homestead still exists today and is owned and utilised offices. It is owned by the Southern Ports Authority.
Sandalwood discovery
Sandalwood was first exported through Bunbury. By 1844 Bunbury took the initiative to commence shipping Jarrah timber, which was initiallly called Western Australian Mahogany and used for Britain’s colonial railways, it became the main export up until the 1950s. In ‘The Enquirer’ of July 1847 it is spoken about that much sandalwood was discovered by Eliot (George) and Clifton (Marshall Waller) at Williams River ‘about sixty miles from Bunbury’. Sandalwood was highly sought after for it’s qualities of fragrant aroma and the suitability of the timber in fine furniture-making. So much of it was ‘pulled’ from the hinterland and Goldfields, that it became almost extinct, huge amounts being loaded onto ships in Bunbury (before the Jetty was constructed – by ‘lightering’ it out to the ships at anchor in Koombana Bay) and Fremantle – bound for overseas. In modern times, it is still highly valued, particularly for the making of Sandalwood oil.

Pioneer Park Cemetery
Lot 294 – Gazetted 1847. Pioneer Park Cemetery officially used between c1849 and 1925 as a Protestant Cemetery vested with the Church of England. An area between Simmons (now Symmons) Street and Wellington Street and extended down towards Rocky Point. View today as a Memorial Park.

 

Forrest Homestead

Forrest Homestead was built for the Forrest family, who were closely linked with the development of Bunbury on the banks of the Preston River at Picton. William Forrest, an engineer born in Scotland, used hand fired bricks, crushed limestone and pit-sawn jarrah to build the house which had a low, split shingle roof.

 

 

Morgan’s Wayside Inn

Morgan’s Wayside Inn, Picton on the Preston River.
View in 2004 prior to restoration by the Piacentini Family.
The Inn was built c. 1850 by James Thompson Lawrence who was a shoemaker by trade, arriving in Western Australia in 1830 and had slabs faced in lath and plaster.
He called his establishment Lawrence’s Wayside Inn and he catered for travellers crossing the ford as they travelled through the district. Also known as Picton Inn.

 



 

First Police Station

Wittenoom Street opposite Stephen Street (West).
The first Bunbury Lock-Up was built in 1848 by John C Morgan. In March 1850 it was reported that three Aboriginal prisoners had escaped.
Following the introduction of convicts to the district in 1850, the Bunbury Lock-Up was rebuilt and strengthened in 1852.
A date stone was positioned above the entrance to the reconstructed building.

 

The Date Stone as well as two doors – the laundry and access to toilet cisterns in the Laurence Saunders Annexe, are located at King Cottage Museum.
Demolished 1969. (Photo Courtesy of Ray Repacholi)

Shipwreck: ‘Midas’
Stranded ashore in a gale at Bunbury. Sold as is and partly dismantled. 555 ton 3 masted Wooden barque, b.1865. Owner: Charles Clark, Dunedin. Cargo: Piles. Lat.32°57.2/Long.115°14.0
Shipwreck: ‘Annie M Young’
6 October – Ran up on beach. 303 ton, 33.2m wooden brig b.1863. Captain: Samuel Tiddy. Owner: W. McCormick, Dublin. Cargo: Timber piles. Lat.33°18.0/Long.115°38.2
Forrest Flour Mill
Forrest Flour Mill Henry Street (Koombana Flour Mill) Koombana Flour Mill was established by Robert Forrest and his father William in 1878 at cnr. Henry Steet & The Strand (two storey with high chimneys). William had earlier built water flour mills at Mill Point and Picton and after these failed, another at Leschenault. They installed a pair of steel rollers in 1889, Koombana was the first mill in Western Australia to do so. Robert managed the mill until his death in 1924, with Ted Properjohn taking over until 1929.
Pier Hotel
Pier Hotel was built c1879. Licensees included Messrs. Flood and Gordon (who also built the adjacent Gordon’s Hotel in 1895). The Sailors’ Rest (Mission to Seamen) utilized it’s rooms for visiting sailors prior to having their own building A favourite haunt of Port workers and sailors, it was delicensed in 1949 and demolished in 1954. (Photo shows damage after a severe storm, with the Gordon’s Hotel adjacent)
Shipwreck: ‘Citizen Of London’
20th August. 53 ton, 17.4m wooden schooner b.1878. Captain: Arthur Payne. Owners: George and Arthur Payne of Capel. Loading sandalwood when a big wave lifted her and rammed her hard against a rope fender on the jetty, holing her below the water-line. She traded between Hamelin Bay and Geraldton. Opened up the flour trade with the massive MC Davis timber operation at Karridale. Lat.32°57.2 / Long.115°14.0

Teede Home
Teede Home – 1 Stirling Street – – a brick, timber and iron house designed in the Victorian Georgian style. George Robert Teede was granted Lot 287 on 9 February 1877. He arrived at Australind aboard “Diadem” on April 10 1842. He was appointed first head teacher at the Bunbury Government Mixed School then first clerk when the Municipality of Bunbury was formed in 1871 and Clerk of the Bunbury Court (1876-1901). In 1921 Matron Watts utilised the house as the Stirling Maternity Hospital, then in 1952 she leased it to the Government, who later purchased the property, as the maternity wing of the Bunbury District Hospital, closing after the construction of the Bunbury Regional Hospital in 1965. It was then used as the Senior Citizens Centre.

E.M.Clarke store
Ephraim Mayo Clarke was a prominent local businessman and politician, the son of an Australind settler of the same name and was elected mayor of Bunbury in 1888, then a Member of the Legislative Council for the South West Province in 1901-02. He established the retail store in Bunbury in 1874, first renting rooms in the two storey ‘Koombana House’. In 1880, he moved his business to the corner of Victoria and Stirling Streets into premises owned by the Mainwairing family. Ephraim cultivated a 20 acre vineyard on the edge of the Big Swamp area around 1888, later operated with Dr J A O’Meehan Around 1884, he purchased a Pensioner Grant (Lot P3) in Stirling Street, with a frontage of 175 feet 6 inches and 132 feet deep, where he built a home, stable and large shop, which was the outlet for his ‘Punchbowl’ wine. EM Clarke died in 1921, the buildings being sold in 1922. Some of the original pediment remains from the single storey brick building, which was extended c1910.

King Cottage
Today the King Cottage Museum – 77 Forrest Avenue. Built by Henry King, a brick and shingle house with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Family home until 1920, when purchased by Henry Carlson. The Carlson family lived here (naming it “Lamorna”) until 1967, when it was purchased by the Town of Bunbury.
Prince of Wales Hotel
Prince of Wales Hotel – 41 Stephen Street. Bunbury Town Lot P4, a one acre pensioner lot, was granted to John Pratt in 1858 and he built a house there. The property was variously sold ove r the years. John Fielder converted the house to the Prince of Wales Hotel. Charles Wisbey made a double-storey addition in 1892. It had 21 bedrooms, many bars and parlours and other rooms plus stables.
Governor Robinson Visit
2nd January – the Governor Sir William Francis Cleaver Robinson visited Bunbury prior to his return to England. D. A. HAY , Chairman Bunbury Municipality as well as Messrs Venn .and Carey, the R.M. Mr. Clifton, Rev. A Buchanan Messrs, Rich, Forrest, Allnutt greeted him. The Governor said “about 30 teams being employed in carting in Timber for shipment, and the only want that was felt was a railway to the foot of the timber ranges. He would have much pleasure in leaving a memo to his successor on this important matter”

Sisters of Mercy
photo: St.Marys pupils – 1920 Six Sisters of Mercy were chosen to travel to the colony of Western Australia, arriving in Fremantle on 8 January 1846. In June 1883, the Sisters of Mercy established a branch house in Bunbury. For 14 years, the Sisters occupied a two roomed cottage and taught in a small detached room. The location of the convent and school room is not known. The Bunbury convent (there were four sisters, an assistant and a Mother Superior), severed its connections with the Victoria Square, Perth community in 1897. A Federation Carpenter Gothic style timber and iron school building, St Mary’s Church School, was constructed at South Bunbury(Columba Street) in 1904 and added to in 1927. On 8 October 1954, the Sisters of Mercy engaged A. D. Dalton to build a new brick convent school at Lot 170 Columba Street. In 1955, a new primary school was completed in Mary Street, the original school building being then used solely for church purposes.
Grittleton Lodge
Grittleton Lodge – Robert Forrest Home – Molloy and Clifton Streets, now Clifton Motel.
Jetty Baths
Jetty Baths No. 1. Sea baths and dressing rooms were built on the eastern side of Bunbury Timber Jetty in 1886. Municipal Council to provide safe, salt water swimming baths. The Baths were triangular in shape, fenced to take in just over three acres of sea and land between the jetty approach and the Causeway. From 1902, they were enclosed by a shark proof fence. Demolished 1917.

Paisley Centre
Arthur Street. Original land use as the Convict Depot. 1850: A school room known as Bunbury Boys School established. 1855: Girls were also taught here. Nov 1886: New school room opened. 1894: More additions – part designated as a Girls School. Mr W.T. Paisley, head master (1894 to 1914). 1901-1916: More additions. 1916: rooms allocated to Infants School. 1917: partly used as a High School. 1962: Bunbury Technical College until 1972. 1973: Bunbury Tourist Office and a Dance School. 1984: Musical Comedy theatre. 2014: Creation of Bunbury Museum & Heritage Centre.

Wesleyan Methodist Church
Methodist Church Stirling/Wittenoom Street – Wesley Church was built on this site in 1886, the Manse in 1897. A hall was also built around this time and a class room was added in 1908 The first Methodist service in Bunbury was conducted in the Mechanic’s Institute by Reverend J W Mouland/Moreland on 11 April 1884. WWI stained glass memorial windows were added in 1921, then re-located to King Cottage Museum when the church was demolished in the 1970s. The Wesley Business Centre now exists on the site.
Shipwreck: ‘Cingalee’
20 June – 337 ton, 40.1m wooden barque b.1872. Captain: John Pringle. Owners: Pearse, Owston and Co. and John Pringle. Ashore at Bunbury – dismantled when she could not be refloated. Lat.33°18.0/Long.115°38.2. In February 1877, under Captain Anton, driven ashore in a storm at the Lacepede Islands, WA – refloated, repaired and re-registered at Fremantle in 1878.

Bunbury-Boyanup Railway completed
The provision of a Bunbury-Boyanup railway was sought following a public meeting c1883, to support the local timber export business and a Legislative Council Bill was passed. Bunbury-Blackwood 3’6″ gauge rail link contract was let Mar 8 1887 and completed that year. Two locomotives and other rolling stock arrived in December 1888. A 30 November 1887 tour by Governor Broome was the only train journey until 1891 as the Public Works Department inexplicably closed the line 3 days later. A Mr E. Keane was allowed to cart piles for the Bunbury jetty extension, along the line, supplying his own trucks, which were horse drawn. One of the new locos was sold off. In 1889, Mr C. J. Ashwell proposed to lease the railway and run horse drawn tramcars to and from Boyanup on Wednesdays and Saturdays but this ceased in April 1890. When John Forrest was elected the first Premier of the Colony he had the line opened on 12 March 1891, recalling the 2nd locomotive to duty. Boyanup was connected to the southwest line from Perth on 22 August 1893.
Recreation Ground
Bunbury Recreation Ground Symmons Street developed from the 1880s to the late 1890s. Prior to this, the area was the site of Scott’s Dairy. From original town plan of 1841 converted to Council Reserves. Land for the recreation ground had been set aside by the Council in 1888. 1888 – Bunbury Cricket Club was playing regular games 1890 Proclamation Day celebrations. Government Resident, Mr Timperley made a speech. From 1895, the Wellington Agricultural Society used the grounds for their annual show, erecting sheds, stables and pens. 1896 -Wallis and Boundy built a picket fence, a timber pavilion was built and a cycle track laid down. 1901- The site of Federation of Australia activities World War I and World War II – site of welcome home parades for troops. 1937 – Venue for a pageant to celebrate Bunbury’s centenary on 19 February. 1946 – Bunbury Town Council allowed the Ground to be used as a temporary caravan park due to the accommodation shortage 1960s – Timber grandstands were demolished, bitumen cycle track laid for the South Bunbury Cycle Club, lights installed to allow for night racing, football clubs Railway , South Bunbury and Pastimes played all their games on the grounds for many years.

Shipwreck: ‘Star Of the South’
25 June – 12 ton, 14.2m cutter b.1875. Captain: John Pringle. Owner: M.C. Davies Cargo: Guano 15 Ton. Lat.33°18.0/Long. 115°39.2
Anglican Deanery/Women’s Club
19 Prinsep Street, a single storey rendered masonry Victorian Georgian style building with rendered brick chimney; extended in 1910. The home of the Bunbury Women’s Club since 30 April 1955, the building converted to a self-contained flat with two rooms, a small kitchen and a bathroom. Said to have been built as a manse for the Reverend Joseph Withers (d. 1904), arrived in the colony in 1863 after serving on the ‘Lord Dalhousie’ as chaplain to 300 convicts on board and was Anglican chaplain at Bunbury from 1864 to 1880 and again from 1889 to 1893 Rev Joseph Withers caused to be built St Paul’s Church Bunbury. Born Dublin. Married Galway 31/08/1852. Education King Charle School Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Ordained Norwich Cathedral.
Bunbury-Boyanup Railway opened
Bunbury-Boyanup Rail link opened on 12th March 1891, following the election of John Forrest as the Colony’s first Premier. The line was completed in November 1887. See [1887] Bunbury-Boyanup Railway completed Image: H18 (1 of 2 original locomotives) is still extant and owned by Rail Heritage WA.

Bon Marche Store
Bon Marche – cnr Victoria and Stephen Streets, a two storey rendered brick building. Formerly known as Spencer’s Corner, built in 1891 by William Spencer, who arrived in Australind on the Trusty in 1841. Spencer and Sons were trading as general merchants, drapers and grocers. They were also traders operating in the Port. William Spencer was Bunbury Mayor and then MLC for the South West Province until his death in 1901. Augustus and Charles Spencer operated there until, in 1905 under Mr C. Clarke, , operating in soft furnishings, manchester and clothing. In 1914, new owner, Harry Trenoweth renamed it Bon Marche (‘good value’). In 1925 Mr L.J. Craddock purchased the store, beginning the Craddock family’s involvement into the current century. A new shop front was installed in 1929 and additions completed in 1932. Bunbury builders, Hough and Son in 1936/37 renovated the building in the style known as Art Deco. Major redevelopments and expansion took place in the 1970s. Stephen Craddock took over the business in 1988 and further renovations were carried out in 1994. It is trading today as clothing store, Bon Marche Mensland.
Henderson’s Coffee Palace
Henderson’s Coffee Palace – 45-49 Victoria Street. A two storey rendered masonry building in the Victorian Georgian style. 1889: Dr J Sampson was the owner of the vacant land, Lot 54 Victoria Street. 1893: William F. Green opened a restaurant and catering business on the site. 1895: Under new ownership the name was changed to Centenary House. 1902: It became Henderson’s Coffee Palace as well as being the business address for Canadian-born Robert Henderson’s (‘Yankee Bob’) mail and carrier business. He had previoulsy operated the Federal Boarding House in Denmark WA. 1903: Refreshment rooms added. :Boulden’s Paint Shop. c1980:La Vienna Guesthouse 1980s: China City Restaurant Present: China City Garden Restaurant Henderson’s Coffee Palace provided food and lodging to the popular seaside resort of Bunbury, which could accommodate 40 people. It was a temperance hotel, which were popular in high tourism areas around this era, that did not serve alcohol, catering mainly for families. Henderson Motor Service operated the first local bus, with services from Bunbury to South Bunbury and Rathmines. Bob died in Bunbury on 29 February 1948. Fibro and brick additions were built to the rear at some point. Walls are dencered masonry. The roof is concealed behind a rendered parapet. The upper floor has the original double hung sash windows with arched heads.

Bunbury Herald Office
Bunbury Herald – Victoria Street. 1892: The Bunbury Herald was first issued on 28 September as a weekly publication, later becoming a tri-weekly one, under the founded Editor, Stephen J. Cusack. 1919: The Bunbury Herald became The Bunbury Herald and Blackwood Express, under Sidney Charles Merriott, and ran from 16 August 1919 to 20 December 1929. 1929: The Bunbury Herald and Blackwood Express merged with the South Western Times to become the South Western Tribune. (1997: A new weekly paper with the name Bunbury Herald was commenced by Seven West Media.) [Image: Page 1 of 1st issue]
Perth-Bunbury Railway
Perth-Bunbury Railway line opened – August 22 1893.

Freemason’s Hall
74 Wittenoom Street. Single storey double volume rendered brick and corrugated iron building constructed in the Federation Academic style. In 1891, Wellington Lodge purchased land in Wittenoom Street for the building of a hall. Charles Wisbey, publican, laid the foundation stone on 30 January 1893 and John and Harold Gibbs completed construction in July 1893, costing £670. It was used by the public, until the interior was altered in 1906 to allow it for use as a Masonic Hall exclusively. Architects Herbert Eales and Eustace Cohen were engaged to design additions, which included a new hall, extra rooms and the incorporation of an Art Deco fa�ade and entrance portico, opening in September 1935, run by The Wellington and Bunbury Masonic Hall Company Limited. A notable member was Sir Newton J Moore, State Premier (1906-1910). The premises are still in use to this day.

Railway Marshalling yards
Railway Marshalling yards reclaimed and established

Shipwreck: ‘Laughing Wave’
29 August – British 161.6 ton, 34.55m wooden schooner b. 1868 (Fremantle). Owner: John & Walter Bateman, Fremantl. Crew: 6. Cargo: Stock, general. Lat.33°19.3/Long.115°40.3. Parted her anchor cable, struck the wreck of the Solveig and lost her rudder. She was taken back to her berth but next night struck the wharf so heavily she was badly damaged and foundered. After several salvage attempts she was abandoned.
Railway Station #1
Railway Station No. 1 on site of the now Tourist Information office. Opened November 14 1894 by the Premier, Sir John Forrest. The wooden structure was destroyed by fire on 5th December 1904, being replaced with a brick building in 1905.


Post and Telegraph Office No 2
Post and Telegraph Office #2 – The Railways and Works Department awarded on 12 May 1894, a contract to A.Pugh at a cost of £1,839 for the construction of a building to provide postal, telegraphic, banking and telephone services at 4 Stephen Street. On 24 May 1894, Sir John Forrest laid the foundation stone and construction was completed later that year. Additions were made in 1896 and in 1897 by John Gibbs. On 14 October 1968, the building was damaged by tremors from the Meckering Earthquake, prompting the construction at the corner of Victoria and Stirling Streets on the site of the former Mitchell family residence, “The Willows” in 1969, of a new Post Office, Telephone Exchange and Administration building. From 1970 to 1974 the former Post Office was used as a Courthouse, then purchased by the Bunbury City Council in 1974. It was demolished to make way for the building of new Council offices in 1976. [Picture c 1930)

Bond Store
Customs Bond Store. Victoria Street next to Goods Sheds Now an Irish Bar.
Shipwreck: ‘Agra’
27 July – 822 ton, 52.1m comp. barque b.1893. Registered Fremantle. Cargo:Stock, general. Lat.33°18.0/Long. 115°38.2. Sunk – refloated – renamed Rose.


Gordon’s Hotel
Built for Mr Harold Colville Gordon who was also licensee of the adjacent Pier Hotel. Known as Gordon’s Hotel then Captain Bunbury Hotel in the 1980s, later Bunbury Hotel then the Reef Hotel in the 1990s. It was popular amongst Port and Railways’ workers. The Bunbury Harbour Board utilized one section as it’s office, in the early part of the 20th Century. It was demolished in June 2016, following a fire which severely damaged the building. (photo – 1926 after a storm)

Rose Hotel
Rose Hotel Bottle Shop and sample rooms (photo – in 1969)
Bank of NSW
Bank of NSW – now Lotteries House Victoria Street.

New building on Picton School site
New building on Picton School site

Resident Magistrate’s home
Resident Magistrate’s home “Residency” – Stirling/Moore St

Red Mill store
Red Mill store Chadd and Whitty Stirling Street 1896. Originally Crossley ironmongers store.

South Bunbury Football Club
South Bunbury Football Club formed. Club Hall Spencer Street. Weather Board No 1 Oct 12 1922.

Council Chambers
Bunbury Council Chambers No. 1 first part – Stephen Street.
Shipwreck: ‘Carbet Castle’
14 May – 1531 ton, 75.7m iron barque b.1875. Captain: Stevens. Owner: J. Moralee jnr. Cargo: Railway iron. Parted moorings. Lat.33°18.78318/Long.115°39.84816. The railway lines were salvaged and transported to the jetty and loaded onto trains and used for building of the line to Boyanup. Frequently exposed from the sand and used by locals for fishing and swimming from until recently. Lays beneath the sands near the old Power Station site.

Racecourse Rail spur
Rail spur run to Showgrounds (at Forrest Park) and Racecourse


Congregational Church
Congregational Church – Prinsep Street -built March 1897. Designed by architect, Henry Trigg and built by J H Gibbs & Co, the church was opened by Premier of Western Australia, Sir John Forrest on 15th March . Reverend G.Herrington was the Pastor. Mayor: E.M.Clarke. Under the foundation stone were laid coins and local newspapers. It acquired the name of Augustine Congregational Church in 1924. Demolished in August 1970.

Convent- Sisters of Mercy
Convent of Sisters of Mercy (Now Art Galleries Complex) Double storey brick Convict-erected building in Wittenoom Street and dedicated to St Patrick, Apostle of Ireland.
Breakwater commenced
Breakwater commenced. Premier Forrest supervised the first load. Rock was railed from the Roelands Quarry – April 27

Methodist Manse
Manse built for the Methodist Church Stirling/Wittenoom Street.

New Municipal Chambers
on 15th March the Premier, Sir John Forrest laid the foundation stone for the proposed new Municipal Chambers, next to the Post Office. Present also was the Mayor, E.M.Clarke and Huntley Allen, representing architect Mr. Jackson. To celebrate Bunbury’s centenary the facade was remodelled in the Art Deco Style in 1936. At the same time, the area at the rear of the building was laid out as gardens. In 1978 an adjacent new building the old Chambers became redundant for municipal use. They were revitalised for use a function room in 1992

Bunbury District Hospital
-15th March. Tthe Premier, Sir John Forrest laid the foundation stone for the Bunbury District Hospital at Parkfield Street


Timber Jetty extension
Timber Jetty extension# (4) to 1700 feet + 950 (518m ).


Parade Hotel
In Stirling Street, is a two storey brick and iron hotel built in the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Additions have been built at each end. Extended in 1947. Renovations were undertaken in 1966. The verandah on the Inlet side was rebuilt in 1972. It is believed that the staircase from the 1897 shipwreck ‘Carbet Castle’ was incorporated into the hotel and later removed.
Sir Newton Moore house
Sir Newton Moore’s home Moore/Stirling Street was built. Later became Moorefield Guest House (Mrs Lyons).

The Pines
The Pines, Eggleston Home, Forrest Avenue built Demolished in 2002

Power Station
Splatt, Wall & Co. private contractors built new Power Station on Centenary Gardens site. Coal fired smokestack 84 ft high.

Rechabite Hall
Rechabite Hall in Princep Street built. Demolished in 2005

Water Factory
Thomas Stokes aerated Water Factory in Wellington Street built. First water pumped to Picton Hill from this bore. Seen here in 1922
Burlington Hotel
Burlington Hotel built.

Fresh Air League
The Eastern Goldfields Goldfields Fresh Air League was founded by the managing director of the ‘Kalgoorlie Miner’ and former mayor of Kalgoorlie, Syd Hocking to give children from the Goldfields the opportunity to experience the seaside. They send the first group of children to Bunbury, utilising ‘seaside cottages’.

Timber Jetty
The Jetty was connected to the main railway line and the Breakwater completed (length 980m), giving protection to the Jetty.
Turkey Point farm
Turkey Point original farm – Springman
Shipwreck: ‘Solglyt’
10 July – Norwegian 875 ton, 53.8m wooden barque b.1888. Captain: A.Rasmussen Owner: O. R. Foreid Cargo: Stock, general . Ashore, wrecked at Bunbury in a northerly gale. Crew 13.
Fresh Air League
June 21st – Goldfields Fresh Air League leases two buildings from Government on White Road, one mile from the Post Office.

Breakwater Light
A light was constructed on the Breakwater in October 1902, consisting of a corrugated enclosure atop a timber frame. It was known as “Blinking Billy”.
Hands Building
Hands Building. Carr the Chemist Wellington/Victoria Street.

Telephone connected
Telephone system opened on April 16.

lectric Power connected
Electric Power supply connections to general public available. From Western Mail Sat.17/01/1903: “On Tuesday afternoon the members of the Bunbury Municipal Council, together with Mr. Wall, of Messrs. Splatt, Wall, and Co., and a number of the citizens of Bunbury, assembled in the Council chambers to celebrate tbe erection of the smoke stack at the electric lighting power-house. Mr. Wall stated that the smoke-stack had been constructed of Coolgardie water supply pipes, and it would, therefore, be an excellent memento for Bunbury of the great scheme.”

St Paul’s Pro Cathedral
St Paul’s Anglican made a Pro Cathedral

First fire engine
First fire engine (horse drawn) in 1903. Thomas Stokes (Superintendent), Mr Duffell (Engineer)

Lighthouse – steel tower
Lighthouse Marlston Hill, a 9m steel-structured lighthouse was built, 37m above sea level. Light visible for 17 miles (27km). The square wooden one (built in 1870 – 365m south of Casuarina Point) demolished when electric light was installed.

Bunbury City Band established
Bunbury City Band established
Army Drill Hall
Army Drill Hall Wittenoom/Symmons Street.

Railway Station destroyed
Wooden Railway Station (built 1894) was burnt down on 5th December. Replaced with a brick structure in 1905.

Fresh Air League hostel
First Goldfields Fresh Air League hostel White Road near Meredith Creek (Bunbury Herald Dec 2nd 1904).

Angel’s Rest
The first facility for seamen from ships visiting was founded in 1904 by Eliza Cons who arrived in Bunbury from England in 1888. She formed a Committee to raise funds to establish a Missions to Seamen facility some 10 years prior to this. She belonged to the Temperance movement and used rooms in the Gordons Hotel from 22 October 1900 to provide books and also arrange for sailors to attend community functions. A cottage called “Angel’s Rest” was also used (from date unknown – see picture of 1904) She died in 1924 , aged 82. (see Also 1905,1920
Mission to Seaman
Sailors Rest (Mission to Seaman) foundation stone was laid on cnr. Wollaston/Ommaney Streets – Designed by Frederick Steere (see 1896)

Beigel Brewery
Beigel and Holland Brewery Stirling Street opened on March 25.

Railway Station #2
Fire-razed timber Railway Station (opened 1894) was replaced with a single-storey brick structure with corrugated steel roof cladding comprises the main station building and detached toilet building It It became became the Bunbury Tourist Bureau office in 2007, following the re-location of the Rail Terminus to Wollaston.

Railway Institute
Railway Institute, 1 Arthur Street opened adjacent to the station (southern end).

Bishops Court
Bishops Court Stanley Hill Foundation stone laid in January.

!Lyric Theatre built
Lyric Theatre built by Weiss Brothers. Became Bill Brown’s Furniture in 2007.

Thomas Haywards residence
Thomas Haywards residence built (137a/b Stirling Street)
Commercial Club
Commercial Club – Symmons St established

Water Tanks
Withers Crescent (Boulters Heights) original 2 steel water tanks.

Prince Of Wales Hotel extended
Prince Of Wales Hotel extended to current size.

Bedford Hall demolished Bedford Hall, originally in Arthur Street, demolished.

Bunbury Water Board
Bunbury Water Board Established by proclamation of the Executive Council on 6th January. Three bores were put down in the Town Well (capacity over 500,00 litres per day). Later bores were sunk: at Forrest Park, Leschenault Estuary (3) and Beigel’s Brewery.

Court House
Court House – 1 Stephen Street
Church of Christ
Church of Christ Spencer Street built 1907. Rear Hall demolished after a tornado in August 2005

Railway footbridge
Railway footbridge Arthur to James Street built. Removed 20/11/1985

Fresh Air League
Given land by the Government below the lighthouse end of Carey Street

153 Stirling Street (Steere)
The house at 153 Stirling Street (part of Governor Stirling’s grant Location 26 of 100,000 acres), was built in 1907 for prominent local architect Fred Steere, who designed the house himself. The street was originally developed during the 1850s when several lots were granted to the Enrolled Pensioner Guards. In 1921 the house was owned by farmer, A J Rose, whose family continued to own the property until the early 1950s. Frederick Walter Steere was born in Richmond, England in 1868 and immigrated in 1889 to Brisbane working for the Public Works Department then moved to WA in 1897, working in Bunbury from 1898. Some of the buildings designed by Steere included: The Rechabite Hall in Prinsep Street (1898), Carr’s Chemist (1903), St Joseph’s Roman Catholic School (1920), houses at 22 Wellington Street (c 1920) and 33 Stirling Street. He served in WWI from April 1917, then living in White Road. Frederick Steere was a long-serving councillor (becoming Mayor in 1909-1910), Chairman of Bunbury Harbour Board and of Bunbury Chamber of Commerce, Secretary of Bunbury Building Society, President of Bunbury Benevolent Society, a member of the Freemasons, First Lieutenant in the cititzen military forces and Commander of the senior cadets unit.
Breakwater extended
The Breakwater was extended to 3969 feet (1210m)

Butter Factory
A meeting was held in the Rechabite Hall on 15 April 1907 where a butter and jam factory was formed. On Jan 9th 1908 the Bunbury Butter Co. Ltd. opened – Symmons Street. In its first year 53,000 lbs of butter were manufactured.
South West Club
South West Club (built 1905) is purchased by the Club

Bunbury Harbour Board
1st July – Bunbury Harbour Board formed. Office situated south end of Gordon’s Hotel, Victoria Street. the initial Chairman being HM Beigel. The name was changed to Bunbury Port Authority in October 1967. The arrangement was terminated by the hotel proprietor in 1956 and the Board moved to the Transit Shed near the Jetty. Prior to this, Bunbury Jetty was vested in the Western Australian Government Railways

Amy Drill Hall
Amy Drill Hall – added Stables added to rear

Divers Pump – Harbour
Board Minute 33 – 23/11/1909: To procure from J&W Bateman the Morse Diving Suit & gear complete for 100 pounds. The pump was restored by employee Ron Swansen and is on display in the Administration office foyer of Southern Ports Authority at Marlston Hill.
Railway Goods Shed
Railway Goods Shed opened.

Lyric Theatre Urinal
Municipal meting agreed that the public urinal at the Lyric Theatre be modified.

Railway goods shed
Railway goods shed – new sheds built. In 1984 and 1985, the Bunbury goods shed and part of the locomotive roundhouse were relocated to the Boyanup railway yard and the Museum was developed and opened in November 1985

Power Plant purchase
Bunbury Town Council purchased electric plant from Bunbury Electric Lighting Company May 19 1910. Railways Dept. and Bunbury Harbour Board connection made the deal viable. Existing power of 200 volt DC (2 wire). Plan to increase to 400 volt (3 wire).

First Grammar School
The Anglican Church ran Grammar School in Lovegrove House (built 1870) until 1914, then in 1914 it became a private Hospital until 1947. In 1961 the house was demolished to build Bunbury Primary School.


Fresh Air League Hostel
21 December -Eastern Goldfields Fresh Air League Hostel opened by Sir Newton Moore. Situated on a hill in Fraser/Carey Street near the lighthouse. It was for the use of Goldfields children, giving them access to a seaside experience. In 1901 the Government provided the land, however funds were not available for building and convalescing children were provided with subsidised ‘cottages’ and rail fares. Used as a High School Hostel for boys from 1949, run by the CWA and named ‘Craig House’. Demolished 1963 (site of the Lighthouse Inn)

Grand Central Coffee Palace
Grand Central Coffee Palace Temperance Hotel established.
Inner Harbour Proposal
1/09/1911 – Board Minute 176: “850 Pounds for office deferred by Minister pending consideration of new Inner Harbour”. An Inner Harbour was not built until 1976

Port Electric Cranes
Electric Cranes, 4 purchased by Harbour Board.

Jetty Baths
17/10/1922 – Board Minute 183: Mr.Bolden proposed that they be let only to naturalised British subjects.
Bunbury Fire Station No. 2
Prinsep Street. Demolished 1917

Austral Chambers
Austral Chambers 23 Stephen Street – a two storey brick and iron building with two ground level shopfronts. Built in 1912 for J E Hands (Mayor of Bunbury), originally a pensioner lot granted to Pensioner Guard Patrick Lee of the 41st Regiment on 24 November 1858. In the 1870s and 1880s, John Hands, a convict expiree, had a cottage and store he called ‘London House’ on the site. In 1939, Hough and Son completed alterations. The Mayfair Tearooms was a popular venue from 1940s-1960s. From c. 1969 to 1974 it was Cronshaws House of Gifts. Currently (2015) it is divided into 2 specialty shops.
Bon Marche
Bon Marche opened. Franchise 1914, by Harry Trenoweth. A two storey commercial building originally built as W S Spencer & Sons Store in 1891 for William Spencer. And redesigned in the Inter War Art Deco style of architecture. Seen here in 1936.

Bag Wheat shipped
The first shipment of bagged wheat left Bunbury. Also in May, 6 cases of smallpox reported in Bunbury from a ‘coolie’ on the ship ‘KILCHATTAN ‘ – bagged wheat loading shown in 1930s.
Bunbury Fire Station No. 3
Bunbury Fire Station No. 1 Prinsep Street built. Demolished 1980.
Quarantine Station
Bunbury Quarantine Station No. 2 built on North Shore.

Butter factory fire
Fire at the Butter factory destryed the 1908 premises. A new modern factory was built on the site. After acquisitions in Busselton and Manjimup the company was renamed South West Dairy Products Co. Ltd.

Bunbury Infants School
Bunbury Infant School established at Stirling/James Street. It is currently the Stirling Street Arts Centre.
Breakwater extended
Breakwater extended to 4960 feet (1512m)

War Memorial Stirling Street
War Memorial Stirling Street erected.

Turkey Point resort
Walter’s Turkey Point holiday resort opened
Thomas Hayward & Son
Thomas Hayward & Son store No 2 relocated from Stephen Street Demolished in 1970.
Sacred Heart School
Sacred Heart School – St Joseph’s School cnr. Wittenoom and Wellington Streets opened. Demolished 1982.
St Patrick’s Cathedral built
27 November – Blessing and opening of St Patrick’s Church, Bunbury, by Archbishop Clune, constructed by Archdeacon L. J. Smith as a Cathedral-to-be.
Princess Theatre
Princess Theatre, Stephen Street was built for, at that time, Mayor of Bunbury Jack Hands, on the south side of Stephen St, opening on 31 October 1923, with seating for one thousand people. It was almost destroyed by a fire in May 1930. It was also used for events such as Balls and became a dancing venue from 1937, following the opening of the New Lyric. Demolished in 1938, a new theatre, Mayfair (1939) was built on the site. The Mayfair was demolished in 1974 and the Commonwealth Bank was built there.

Bunbury High School
Bunbury High School opened. The fourth oldest High School in Western Australia. Designed by the Principal Architect of Western Australia, William Hardwick in a Georgian Revival style. Situated with a view from many rooms of Bunbury Back Beach and the Indian Ocean. See for interviews by Bunbury Oral History Group, conducted in 1998.
Railway Round House
Railway Round House built.
Water tank Picton Hill
Concrete water tank Picton Hill (500,000 gals) installed.
War Memorial Soldier
Soldier statue added to War Memorial. It was purchased by William Brittain to honour his son, killed in WWI.
Commonwealth Bank Building (ex)
The Australian Government-operated bank was created to operate under the Commonwealth Bank Act 1911. The Bunbury Branch building at 149 Victoria St Bunbury – cnr.Stephen Street was onstructed in 1929 at a cost of £7,500, an example of the Inter-War Stripped Classical Style in brick. The windows are multi-paned in Georgian Classical fashion with Union Jack pattern. Extensions were carried out in 1960 and 1970. After 1978 following the Post Master General’s Department (PMG) being split into Australia Post and Telecom (which became Telstra). the building became part of the Bunbury Telecom facilities. The building was later sold, to be utilised as offices. Since 1990 the building has been used as parliamentary offices for State MPs, Real Estate Offices and other offices.

Forrest Flour Mill closed
Forrest Flour Mill closed.
Bunbury Herald/Southern Times
Newspapers Bunbury Herald and Southern Times amalgamated

Sulphur / Phosphate
First shipments of Sulphur and Phoshate for the new Works at Picton received in October.

Power Station No. 2
Power Station No. 2 – sited on the estuary foreshore. Fuel was oil, producing D.C. power.

Hungry Hollow
Hungry Hollow – A name used in the Great Depression (1929-139); the unemployed had to camp here. Municipal Council erected toilets on site.
C.W.A House
C.W.A House Wellington Street
South Western Times
Almalgamated ‘Bunbury Herald’ and’ Southern Times’ renamed ‘South Western Times’.

Bunbury Council Quarry
Bunbury Council Quarry opened
Skeleton Bridge
1st December – Skeleton Bridge built at estuary mouth to connect north shore (commenced July 1933). First train (G Class engine) crossed 11 December. Engine A13 Driver Len Wise, Fireman Bill Johnson, Shunter Phil Cunningham.
Bendigo Garage
Bendigo Garage – Wellington Street. Ph.139 (S.W.T. advertisement.)

Baths at Back Beach
December – Baths at Back Beach under construction
Breakwater extended
Breakwater extended – 4th Stage to 5450 feet (1661m)

Quarry Blast
Three and a half tons of gelignite used in a shot at Roelands Quarry on 1st June. Thought to be one of the largest blasts to this time. Breakwater extended to 5450 feet (1661m)

`Mitchell Flats
Mitchell Flats 6 Money Street. Art Deco Style.

Ambulance Hall
Ambulance Hall, Molloy Street – opened.

Convent Flats
Convent Flats 9 Money Street 1936 opened. Demolished September 2005.

Baths at Back Beach
January – Baths at Back Beach opened.

Centenary Gardens
Centenary Gardens, Civic Centre – planted by Mayor Verschuer
Smith’s Buildings – Cronshaws
103-107 Victoria Street and Wellington Street. Built in 1937 for William Smith, a manchester retailer, known as ‘Smith’s Buildings’, built in the Inter-War Functionalist style. The building is noted for its Art Deco styling. Purchased in 1966 by James Cronshaw. His father, also James, ‘Manchester House’, Perth in 1920, opening branches branches in Bunbury on 30th May 1920 and Collie in 1921. The Bunbury store was in Wellington Street, subsequently moving to Victoria Street. It underwent extensive restoration work in 2014/15.

1st Wheat Silos built
The original grain silos were constructed and are still in existence, being utilised as apartments within the Marlston Waterfront development project.

Bulk wheat exports
Wheat was first sown in 1830. Late 1800s rust and poor seasons reduced crops. 1920 exports resumed by hand-sown bags via railway. (1930s) CBH was registered. Bunbury chosen as first purpose-built concrete wheat silos. Construction contractor A.T.BRINE & SONS. Tender accepted 17/5/37. Project scheduled for completion by 15/12/37. Cost approx. 60,000 pounds. Involved construction of 4 x 95-foot circular silos of reinforced concrete. Located within 100m of waters’ edge near timber jetty. Concrete foundation with 24-foot timber piules bearing into rock beneath. Included rai-wagon unloading facilities, elevators, weighing equipment and conveyors.
Original grain silos
Original grain silos (7-cell) constructed. (1930s) CBH was registered. Bunbury chosen as first purpose-built concrete wheat silos. Construction contractor A.T.BRINE & SONS. Tender accepted 17/5/37. Project scheduled for completion by 15/12/37. Cost approx. 60,000 pounds. Involved construction of 4 x 95-foot circular silos of reinforced concrete. Located within 100m of waters’ edge near timber jetty. Concrete foundation with 24-foot timber piules bearing into rock beneath. Included rai-wagon unloading facilities, elevators, weighing equipment and conveyors. Construction on 24 hour basis for 20 days. Completed within deadline and was considered world record. The use of Bunbury as a facility for the export of grain ceased in 1991, the use of the ‘white’ silos having ceased in 1985. Still in existence (2005). Retained as part of Waterfront development project.
Hay Park Aerodrome
Hay Park Aerodrome – first official airfield. Had a windsock.
6TZ Radio
– January. Nicholson’s Ltd. granted commercial broadcasters license 6TZ mast erected at Waterloo in March (183 ft). Broadcasts began in August.

South West Times
– October. South West Times relocated from Reading Buildings, Victoria Street to Rechabite Hall Princep Street.

Mayfair Theatre
Mayfair Theatre, Stephen Steet opened on 4 August 1939. It was built in the Art Deco style by W Fairweather, on the site of the previous Princess Theatre (1923), which was demolished in 1938. Opening in 1939, the theatre had entrance steps between two shops which led to the foyer. Notable were its Stalls, Lounge and Dress Circle seating and 2,000 feet of neon lighting. Patrons were kept informed of WWII by newsreel screenings. It was demolished in 1974, with the present Commonwealth Bank building replacing it.
Ocean Beach Pavilion
– February. Ocean Beach Pavilion and tearooms – Bright Spot – leased to Perry and Edwards – Harvey Aerated Water Co.
Woollen Mills
South West Woollen Mills Ltd. Morewear in Stirling Steet, managed by Richard John Moore. Mr. More died in 1947. He was also involved with the Bunbury Repertory Company and the RSL. The mills produced socks, jumpers & underwear for the troops, as well as swimwear and cardigans for locals under the ‘Morwear’ label.
Ocean Baths
– October. Ocean Baths at Back Beach received storm damage beyond repair.

Power to Boyanup
Bunbury Power House to deliver power to the South-West Co-op dairy at the new premises at Boyanup.

Carey Park subdivision
The satellite suburb of Carey Park was established by the State and local governments in the Post World War II period. It was named after surveyor Thomas Carey. A new Post Office opened 1 March 1951.
Railway Bus Shed
Railway Road Bus Maintenance Workshop operated in Henry Street. Government Railway employees maintained and serviced buses and railway road vehicles that operated throughout the South West. It ceased as this function in 2001 and the remaining shed demolished in 2006. The site is part of the Marlston re-development.
Clifton Park Golf
5 June – Clifton Park Golf course opened
Quarry closed
Bunbury Council Quarry (Back Beach) closed. The council, at a meeting held on February 22, 1949, had carried a resolution “that action be taken for crushing, opening the cut to the ocean, and the provision of a bridgeway, as indicated in the Minister’s letter,” …the Government in office at the end of The last century had become aware of the despoilation by quarrying of the basalt formation on the beach at Bunbury known as the Giants’ Causeway… …Therefore, the Acting Under-Secretary for Lands (Mr. H. S. Francis) was directed to convey to the council the Government’s decision to countenance no further crushing and an intimation that, unless the council proceeded forthwith with the excavation of the cut to the sea, the Government would proceed to have the work done at the council’s expense..

Power Station disposal
August 1 – State Electricity Commission takes over the Power House’s AC and DC assets. Breakdowns occurring to the 4 older DC (direct current) plant later saw the Station generating only AC power.
Craig House
– 25 March. Craig House, Carey Street opened – named after Mrs Craig, of Dardanup who had been a State President of the CWA. In 1948, when the CWA Boy’s Hostel lease on Sandridge Park expired, the Government purchased the Eastern Goldfields Fresh Air League Building and renovated it at a cost of £5,000 – converting it to a Hostel for country boys attending Bunbury High School. Run by the Country Women’s Association (CWA) from 1949 until 1963 when the building was demolished. In 1965 a hostel opened in Simpson Avenue. It reopened at a new location in 1965 Cnr Pickersgill, Acacia & Sherry Streets , run by the Country High School Hostel Authority, accommodating both girls and boys. This closed in 1969 and re-opened in 1972, then closed permanently in 1978 as a hostel. It was used by the Education and was demolished c1991.
Kinkella Saw Mill
Kinkella builds saw mill on dairy farm off Underwood Street Enlarged 1955. Operation ceased in 1964

The Cut – Breakthrough
– April. Cut North of Turkey Point breaks through. Shown here is The Cut in 1957.

Infant Health Centre
Lady Mitchell Infant Health Centre, Spencer/Prosser Streets

The Cut: commences
– February. Estuary cut commenced – Shown here is the Dredge Stirling.

Roads Board dissolved
Bunbury Roads Board ceded to Bunbury Municipal Council. The Board had control of many District roads, which were dispersed to individual Municipalities and Shires.

Petrol Rationing ends
Petrol rationing was introduced during WWII. It was retained at war’s end. A High Court challenge was upheld in favour of endinding rationing in June 1949. Following chaos after the abandoning of rationing it was re-introduced in November 1949. Following the election of a Liberal-Country Party Coalition, it declared petrol rationing at an end on 8 February 1950, despite differences with the UK Government.

Frankel Street Shop
Frankel Street Shops opened in Carey Park.
Skeleton Bridge removed
Skeleton Bridge removed. Power station access to North Shore via road built on bridge site. Estuary blocked.
Power Station #3
Power Station No 3 sited North Shore commenced.
Connell’s Caravan park
Connell’s North Shore Caravan Park opens.

Marist Brothers commences
– February. Marist Brothers St Francis Xavier Boy’s School Sandridge Park.
Carey Park Primary School
Carey Park Primary School commences.

St.Mary’s School
3 April- Opening of new parish school of St Mary South Bunbury. Dedication and renovation of school-church at St Mary’s South Bunbury
Cable Sands commences
Cable Sands mining begins at North Shore site.

First Ilmenite shipped
– 15 December: First Ilmenite of 3,409 tons shipped to Burnie,Tasmania by Cable (1956) Ltd – the beginning of the Mineral Sands industry in Bunbury. The Beltana struck Corsair Rock, Point Nepean on 16 September 1963. After being towed free she was beached off Dromana, and again refloated a few days later. She was found to be so badly damaged that she was only good for scrap.
Railway Institute No. 2
Railway Institute No. 2 Wittenoom/Wellington Streets opens.
Harbour Board Office #2
Transit shed built near the Jetty and Bunbury Harbour Board moved office to this location. The shed was used to store break-bulk cargo into the port.

Power Station No.3
Site Manager John Sullivan on site from May 5th – 30MW turbine and two 15MW boilers. The Station was commissioned August 23rd. Decommissioned in 2000 and demolished in 2003.

South West Times
– April. South West Times moved to Stephen Street – now Courthouse

Population
Population 10,799
Dental Clinic opens
– February. Government Dental Clinic opens 120 Spencer Street Feb (Demolished 2011)

Library to Prinsep St.
– February. Library moves from behind Water Board building to old South Western Times building in Prinsep Street opposite Fire Station

BP Depot site
– April 7. BP fuel tank farm Marlston Hill. Site cleared

1st Petrol Tanker
First Tanker ‘British Peer’ unloads fuel to shore tanks at Timber Jetty, arriving 24th and departing 28th December – Capt Dobson (BP Shipping Ltd).

Power Station
4th May – Second 30MW unit on-line. Completes “A” Station. On 15th July 1961 the fourth 30MW units come on-line, completing “B” Station.

Withers Estate
Withers Housing Estate opens.

Lighthouse extended
Lighthouse extended by 20 feet
Population
– 21 January. Population 11,944
Grey Silos
– July. Grey Silos started (completed Feb,1962)

Grammar School demolished
Grammar School demolished

St Boniface Cathedral
St Boniface Cathedral
2nd Wheat Silos built
February 1962 – Construction of additional 8 cells to the wheat silos was completed. Built adjacent to the 1932-built storage. These eight grey silos are demolished by explosive charges on 18th February 1992.

BP tank farm commences
– February. BP tank farm completed. First bunker fuel to ship ‘Teakbank’
St Pauls Pro Cathedral demolished
St Pauls Pro Cathedral demolished
Bunbury flooded
– August 1964. Bunbury flooded .Plug opened to lower water level.

St Vincent’s Hospital
Opening of St Vincent’s Hospital Bunbury for the chronic sick, operated by the Daughters of Charity.

Land backed Wharf
Land backed Wharf on breakwater. No. 2 berth opens in 1967.

Bunbury Aerodrome opened
– 29 November. Bunbury Aerodrome officially opened

Landback Berth – first ship
First shipment of 4700 tons phosphate rock received over new Landbacked wharf – ‘MV Trienza’

Russell Esplanade rename
– December. Russell Esplanade renamed Upper Esplanade.

CBD verandah posts
– 25 June. Bunbury Council ordered removal of CBD verandah posts – considered unsightly and a traffic hazard.
BSHS Hostel
– February. Hostel for Bunbury High School opened on cnr. Simpson Avenue and Pickerskill Street as a replacement for Craig House (see 1949 entry).

Bunbury Regional Hospital
– 9 July. Bunbury Regional Hospital, Blair Street opens, transferring from old Bunbury Hospital in Parkfield Street. The foundation stone was laid on 30 October 1964. The nurses’ quarters opened in April 1964. The six storey brick building was demolished in 2000 after facilities and patients were moved to the new Campus on Bussell Highway in 1999, co-located with St John of God Private Hospital. Interviews with 28 former staff were conducted by Bunbury Oral History Group in 2000.

ABC TV local commences
-August. ABC TV local transmission commences

St Patrick’s Cathedral Spire
– February. St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral Spire added.
Harbour Board Office #3
July – New Harbour Board office built at the Jetty end of Henry Street below Marlston Hill. It was opened on 27th July by just-retired Chairman W.E.McKenna.

Newton Moore Senior High
Newton Moore Senior High School was officially opened on 21st October 1966 by Minister for Education, E. H. M. Lewis. Named after Sir Newton James Moore, Premier of Western Australia from 1906 to 1910 and former mayor of Bunbury. Maurice (Maurie) Anderson was the first School Principal. Originally to be known as South Bunbury High School, a portable building operated from 1965 at South Bunbury Primary School.
Mission to Seamen
New Mission to Seamen premises in Victoria Street.


Bunbury Fire Station No. 4
Bunbury Fire Station, 36 Forrest Avenue opened.
St Augustine Congregational Church
St Augustine Congregational Church, Mangles Street, was opened on 12 December 1970. Designed by Julius W Elischer and built by T D Scott Pty Ltd. It was a brick and concrete building of an unusual octagonal design, a square exterior and a circular interior “in the round” It was later renamed St. Augustine Uniting Church. Demolished in 2001.
Surge Barrier
Installed in 1980 at the western end of the Leschenault Inlet, following flooding of Bunbury townsite during cyclone Alby in 1978. Operated by Department of Transport – to prevent ocean and runoff flooding of Bunbury’s low lying areas. The barrier may be closed before ocean water levels reach 1.2m LAT. High ocean water levels are caused by a combination of tide, wind and barometric pressure.
Woodchip Fire
8 September – Woodchip loader at Bunbury Port catches on fire. It was extinguished with the aid of visiting US warship ‘USS Cook’
Silos Demolition
Eight grey silos(built 1962) are demolished by explosive charges on 18th February 1992. Huge crowds surrounded the Outer Harbour area to witness the event. The 1937-built silos still remain – converted to apartments.
South West Health Campus
17 April – Official opening of South West Health Campus. Co-location of St John of God Health Care and Bunbury Health Service. Located at corner of Robertson Drive and Bussell Highway. This replaced the former SJOG Hospital and Bunbury Regional Hospital and other services such as dental, oncology and Mental Health.
Power Station Demolition
21st September – The demolition by explosives of the main plant and structures occurred. More detailed removal of hazardous materials, pipelines and remediation took place until July 2003. All that remained of the Bunbury Power Station was the Workshop and Ablution/Offices and the concrete bunkers. The greenfields site was purchased, with the remnant buildings by Bunbury Port Authority.

Port Authority Office built
10th April – New Bunbury Port Authority Office opened at former Henry Street site, now Casuarina Drive , Marlston Hill. The BPA became part of Southern Ports Authority, an amalgamation of Bunbury, Albany and Esperance ports with Head office in Perth. Formerly, each Port had its own Head Office in their respective Cities/Town, with local representative Boards. The old premises were opened in 1964 and were demolished on this same site in 2000. Prior to the 1964-built building the Bunbury Harbour Board, as it was prior to 1964, had offices in the Transit Shed (now demolished) located 600m to the west of this site. Prior again to that the Office was in the Gordons Hotel, latterly the Captain Bunbury Hotel and Reef Hotel (now demolished).
Bunbury Tornado 2005
A tornado tore through the City of Bunbury on the morning of 16th May 2005. Amongst the damaged premises in and around the CBD were St Patricks Cathedral, St Marks – Picton, as well as stores: Spotlight, Bed Shed, Golf Shop, Fridge City, Bunnings, Beds Plus, Bunbury Type Place, Clark Rubber, Cycle Trek and Harvey Norman. Discount Auto Parts was destroyed. Ausdens Joinery, ABC Studio, Lyric Theatre, Bunbury Library, Senior Citizens also suffered damage, as did many houses and businesses from Glen Iris to Ocean Drive. Motor vehicles were damaged in Spencer Street caryards. The Railway Station clock stopped at 6:14am.
St Patricks Cathedral
March 17 2011 – Dedication of St Patricks Cathedral. The new building replaced the old Cathedral, which was severely damaged during the Bunbury Tornado on 16th May 2005.
Reef Hotel demolition
Formerly the Gordons Hotel/Captain Bunbury Hotel/Reef Hotel, the 2 storey brick and iron building was constructed in 1895. It was demolished on Sunday 5th June 2016. Prior to this it had suffered heavy damage in a fire in January 2016.
Copyright © 2020 Bunbury Historical Society
Site by Modernly