Home
Search
thewest.com.au
NewsChevron Right Icon

Untold history of WA

Timber MillPremiumDonnelly River Village stories from three perspectives 

Australian Heritage Festival

Anjelica Smilovitis

Uncover family historyPremiumUncover stories which shaped the family lineage

Who am I?

Anjelica Smilovitis

Untold History CommentsPremiumFearless forest workers carved their place into history

There he was. Legendary timber worker and axeman Dick Sproge. Standing high in the branches of a giant karri tree. Axe in hand. Not a sign of a harness or protective gear. Ready to work.

Malcolm Quekett

Untold History PremiumWA reporter who saw some of history’s great moments

Born in a little Goldfields town, Ronald Monson travelled the world to report on the grand sweep of modern history

Malcolm Quekett

Untold History PremiumDigger answered the call in both WWI and WWII

The phrase ‘answered the call of duty’ fits perfectly the description of Broomehill farmer Zebulun Green. He donned the uniform in World War I and World War II.

Malcolm Quekett

Untold History PremiumThe heartwarming story of local identities Cobber and Kate

They made light of their setbacks, forged their own paths and also found the time and kindness of spirit to extend their own hand to help others

Malcolm Quekett

Untold History CommentsHow a Russian aristocrat fled the Bolsheviks and came to WA

The Russian countess who came to WA after witnessing the end of Imperial Russia

Malcolm Quekett

DefenceCommentsPremiumWorld War II veteran ‘Peggy’, 98, takes Irwin Barracks tour

World War II veteran Margaret ‘Peggy’ Martin, who drove troop trucks during her service, was invited to the army’s Irwin Barracks to look over some of the 13th Combat Service Support Battalion’s vehicles.

Malcolm Quekett

Untold historyCommentsPremiumHow Italian-born Vince became a celebrated WA butcher

It was the start of a life in Perth which saw Vince grapple with poverty and strange and at times frightening new ways, people and surrounds. Yet through hard work, good manners and strong values, he thrived.

Malcolm Quekett

‘An inspiration’CommentsPremiumHow Albany was in awe of the Great White Fleet

The 16 battleships of the US Atlantic Fleet — painted white to denote peace — carrying 14,000 sailors and accompanied by six destroyers and six auxiliary vessels, sailed around the world for 14 months.

Malcolm Quekett

Untold HistoryCommentsPremiumWhen beer o’clock meant reaching for an Emu or Swan

Swan and Emu were everywhere in WA. And while the memory may be dimmed by time (or beer), for a while it seemed like ordering a round simply meant heading to the bar to ask for a jug — no brand name needed.

Malcolm Quekett

Untold HistoryCommentsPremiumWA’s Government House’s humble start to grand design

Over nearly 200 years, the vice-regal residence has evolved from a rickety wooden abode with a farmyard perched on a hill on Garden Island to a termite-ridden timber home, to a grand building.

Malcolm Quekett

Untold HistoryCommentsHow the no-booze club led to WA women’s right to vote

Women’s opinions were rarely sought on political issues, and their voices seldom heard outside the accepted avenues of social conversation. 

Malcolm Quekett

Untold HistoryCommentsMeet WA’s first ‘bikies’ who set pace for today’s revheads

It’s 1904 and organised motorcycling in WA was underway thanks to members of the Perth Motor Cycle Club.

Malcolm Quekett

Untold HistoryCommentsPremiumThe fab, feisty, yet humble start to horse racing in WA

Now one of Perth’s most beloved sporting institutions, horse racing had a fabulous start. A new book charts the incredible stories from its earliest days.

Malcolm Quekett

Untold HistoryCommentsPremiumExtraordinary tale of the religious redemption of Ned Kelly

Ned Kelly’s life, many crimes, and death by hanging after a bloody shoot-out with police have been often dissected. And yet a little-known part of the Kelly story has a unique link to WA.

Malcolm Quekett

Untold HistoryCommentsPremiumHow our historic gardens helped grow Perth city

A new book explores and explains the history of Perth’s gardens, from the Noongar people cultivating food to Mount Eliza being cultivated to become our most iconic public garden Kings Park.

Malcolm Quekett

Symbolic weightCommentsPremiumHISTORY OF WA’S BORDER: Drawing a long line in a big country

The WA border is an imposing line on our maps. And it is not just a legally important line, it is an underlying part of the nation’s psyche, and carries even more symbolic weight for West Australians.

Malcolm Quekett

Untold History of WACommentsPremiumGold, a daring rescue and a man named Cannonball

How a lot of courage, a touch of ingenuity and slime saved a group of prospectors undertaking a top-secret mission in WA’s unforgiving outback.

Malcolm Quekett

Untold HistoryCommentsPremiumFor whom the bells toll

London replica still courts the crowds in Perth’s city centre

Malcolm Quekett

Untold History of WACommentsPremiumHow WA racehorse Blue Spec and Paddy Connolly made history

It may be known as the sport of kings but horse racing has from time to time provided remarkable stories of success by apparent battlers.

Malcolm Quekett

Snugglepot & Cuddlepie CommentsPremiumMuch-loved treasure May Gibbs broad brush with west

What is not widely known is the extent of Gibbs’ links with WA and how her time in this State influenced much of the work with which she would become synonymous.

Malcolm Quekett

Untold HistoryCommentsPremiumWA pilots first to fly single-engine aircraft from UK to Aus

The remarkable story of two intrepid war veterans who completed the first single-engine aircraft flight from England to Australia and their legacy that remains

Malcolm Quekett

Untold HistoriesCommentsPremiumCrossing the Nullarbor not by car, but by bike in 1896 

Some of the most amazing known journeys were undertaken not by a well-provisioned horse, camel train or car. They were made by bicycle.

Malcolm Quekett