WA history

Grab a cuppa, pull up a comfy chair and watch a panel of experts explore the enduring influence of both the Country Women’s Association (CWA) and its iconic cookbook The CWA Cookery Book and Household Hints.

Inspired by State Library heritage collection items, these films explore topics ranging from the Rock Masses held at St Gerges Cathedral in the 1970’s, to the founding of Australia’s first Guide Dog school.

Wimmin's Work is a new collection of audio, audio-visual and photographic stories documenting the stories of ten Western Australian women.

As the first Western Australian State archivist and first female State archivist in Australia, Mollie Frances Lukis (1911-2009) played an important role in the development of the State Archives. With great vision and knowledge she built up the collection and agitated for change.

Scrabble boards, cookbooks, war medals, fishing lures, trinkets and tools. Why are these items so important to the people that hold onto them? Short podcast series about the stories behind peoples family treasures and keepsakes.

Suzanne's keepsake is a picture of her great-great-grandmother, Alice Franklin, the Lady Mayoress of Perth and an unusedrailway ticket to the opening of Parliament House in 1927.

Sophie's keepsake is her husband's grandma's handwritten cookbook. Joan Patricia Vowles lovingly added to this cookbook over forty years.

Petronila's keepsake is a traditional Tokelauan hand-carved mother of pearl fishing lure (Pa Hi Atu) made by Papa Fofo Poasa, her father-in-law.

Cheryl's keepsake is a gold kangaroo brooch, her first gift to her mother, whom she found when she was 28.

Anne's grandfather was one of the first returned wounded soldiers to Mt Hawthorn. The community rallied to build him a home, doubling as a memorial.

Amber's keepsake is a much loved and very used Scrabble game board from the 1970s on which her family marked their annual Rottnest holidays.

Photographs from the Kimberley, taken by Charles Edward Flinders from 1920 -1936.