Site of Marrinup POW Camp (Dwellingup) given heritage listing

2/12/95

Premier Richard Court today launched the next stage in the State Government's 'Australia Remembers' program, the conservation of the 1943 Marrinup POW Camp - the only permanent prisoner of war campsite established during the Second World War in Western Australia.

The Premier said that in recognition of the great historic and cultural significance of the Marrinup POW Camp, located at Dwellingup, the State Government had now included it on the Register of Heritage Places.

"The Marrinup POW Camp is an historic site with remnants of its former use, which is a rare, and for many people unknown, aspect of the cultural heritage of WA," he said.

"The POW camp's historical significance also extends beyond the actual campsite as it includes the impact the prisoners made as a labour force in the rural community during the latter part of the war."

The Premier said the Marrinup POW Camp operated from August 1943 until April 1946, catering for more than 1,200 Italian and German prisoners and their army guards.

"Many of the prisoners returned to WA following their repatriation to establish themselves within the Dwellingup community, adding to the richness of the cultural heritage of the area," he said.

Mr Court said the Marrinup POW Camp provided WA, and in particular the Dwellingup community, with another tourist attraction.

"Dwellingup has the potential to become a significant tourism destination, considering its close proximity to Perth and the abundance of attractions it has to offer, from the POW camp site, to its forests and wildflowers," he said.

The Premier said the Government was pleased with the way its 'Australia Remembers' program was progressing and the positive response it was getting from Western Australians.

Other program projects include:

+          a State Government-sponsored Education Room at the newly renovated Army Museum of  Western Australian Fremantle;

+          the commissioning of  a history book to detail the history and impact of the Second World War on WA;

+          an educational poster for all WA school children; and -

+          a $125,000 donation to the Australian War Memorial's Capital Appeal on the understanding that the efforts and sacrifices of Western Australians during this nation's war efforts were suitably acknowledged.