Video Archive

An introduction to The Old Settlement, home of the Margaret River and Districts Historical Society. Featuring a visit from the Perth photography group in 2021. Come and experience how the early settlers lived in the area. Have a look around the old settlement, run by volunteers.

Jamie Hart recorded this footage of the Margaret River Old Settlement in 1994.

In 2022 the Margaret River and Districts Historical Society celebrated 100 years of settlement in the area. The settlement scheme started in 1922. The aim was to open up the sparsely populated south west of the State for dairying in order to reduce dependence on imports from interstate.

Artist Jacob Butler, aka Shakey, created a fabulous mural at The Old Settlement. Radio Margaret River interviewed him about the mural.

The Karridale Fire of 1961 is a documentary by the Karridale Progress Association.

This film features the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse and Hamelin Bay. Also a popular destination for tourists it concludes with an excursion into the Augusta Jewel Cave.

A film surveying the lifestyle and industries of Western Australia and the role of the Royal Australian Mail Service throughout the state.

Life in a country town dependent on the timber industry in the karri country, South-west WA. Shows karri forests, tree felling, reforestation, controlled burning of undergrowth, hauling and milling the karri timber.

This documentary describes the bush workings and logging operations that underpinned Western Australia's sawmilling industry, once the third largest industry in the state behind wheat and wool. It is also a tribute to the skill and innovation of the bushmen and engineers who brought about the changes and who designed and built those weird and wonderful machines that were unique to the industry and to this part of the world.

The film, made in Australia's south-west forests, portrays the overlap of the steam-era and motorised forest-based timber industry. It includes axe use; cross-cut sawing; portable motor-saw; bullock teams; winding gear; steam rail; wheeled arch - horse team; steam cross-cut; frame-saw; paving blocks.

Well-known local Lloyd Shepherdson talks about his past, his family and his childhood which was surrounded by the timber industry.

A talk by Don Briggs, author of the book "Pioneers of the Western Australian Timber Industry". The history of of the early south west timber industry and the pioneers that made this happen.

This reading has been done from Isabella Keenan's handwritten recollections of her life in the southwest of Western Australia. She wrote it in 1955 when she was 81 and it covers mainly the period between 1860 and 1900.

Isabella (Bella) Keenan (1874-1969) was the 3rd daughter of Stewart and Isabella Keenan and married James Christopher Hennessey in 1903.

AI generated transcript (experimental)

John Alfrink shares his journey from his childhood in wartime Holland to building a new life in Australia, reflecting on his family's brave migration, farming challenges, and deep community involvement. He recounts his experiences with local historical preservation, emergency services, and raising a family, highlighting the strong bonds formed in his adopted homeland. John expresses gratitude for the opportunities Australia provided and his ongoing commitment to both his heritage and community.

Maurice Coleman Davies (a.k.a. MCD), born in London and migrated to Tasmania in 1835, became a pivotal figure in the industrialization of the Western Australian timber industry, particularly in the Southwest region. Through his foresight in infrastructure, including ports and railways, and his community-building efforts in Carradale, he significantly advanced timber production and export markets during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. MCD's legacy continued through his sons, who sustained and expanded the business, making lasting contributions to regional development and industry modernization.

Betty Earl (1930-2025) shares her experiences growing up in the Wheatbelt and moving to the Cowaramup district in 1941, describing the challenges of settling on a derelict group settler farm and adapting to farm life during wartime. She recounts family life, community activities like dances and sports, and local developments such as the railway and improvements in roads and facilities. Betty also reflects on changes in farming, shopping, weather, and the community over the past 70 years, highlighting both hardships and the evolving quality of life in Cowaramup.

Terry Halsall, volunteer at Margaret River District Historical Society lovingly restores the bellows from the blacksmith shop. The bellows are currently on display at The Old Settlement along wit many other artefacts.