Premier launches Western Australia's 175th anniversary

29/12/03
Premier Geoff Gallop today called on all Western Australians to help commemorate the State's 175th anniversary in 2004.
On Garden Island - where Captain James Stirling founded the Swan River settlement in 1829 - Dr Gallop unveiled the 175th anniversary logo, a preliminary events calendar and a new website.
"Next year is a very important for all Western Australians," Dr Gallop said.
"It's a great opportunity to reflect on our achievements as a State during the last 175 years.
"But I also want the community to look to the future and think about how we can maintain WA's status as a better place to live in."
At today's logo launch, the Premier gave a sneak preview of some of the events and activities planned for the year.
In August, the new Perth Convention Centre will host the State's biggest expo to date, WA on Show, where the best of WA will be showcased in six massive pavilions.
In November, at the same location, a major three-day conference covering themes of history, heritage, the built environment, indigenous issues and creating a sustainable future for WA will be staged.
The first of 12 Western Australian Heritage Icons will be revealed next month and plans for a State-wide song contest are under way.
Everyone from primary school students to professional musicians will be invited to enter the song competition.
"I'm particularly excited about the song contest - we will be searching for a song that captures the essence of WA," Dr Gallop said.
Opera in the park, regional sittings of parliament, a host of indigenous art initiatives in the Kimberley and establishment of an interpretation centre at the historic Midland Railway Workshops are also planned.
"This is just a small sample of what is in store in 2004," Dr Gallop said.
Dr Gallop also announced the successful recipients of more than $70,000 worth of 175th Anniversary Grants to community organisations and individuals.
The grants, worth up to $5,000, target projects which have ongoing significance for the State or develop the understanding of Western Australians about history, heritage and future.
"Projects range from the Australian Railway Historical Society's production of display panels designed to increase awareness of our railway history through to the staging of a historical play at next year's Cue Outback Festival," the Premier said.
Rockingham MLA Mark McGowan, chairman of the 175th Anniversary Steering Committee, said a community-inclusive program was being developed.
"It is important the anniversary has meaning for all Western Australians - including the State's indigenous community," Mr McGowan said.
"We are shaping a program which explores our heritage - both indigenous and non-indigenous; encourages debate about our future; celebrates our achievements; and, most importantly, fosters a sense of ownership and pride in our State."
The 175th anniversary coincides with the Year of the Built Environment; and the 100th anniversaries of the State Parliament Building, His Majesty's Theatre and the Midland Railway Workshops. Next year is also the 50th anniversary of the WA Ballet.
For more details about the anniversary, log on to http://www.175anniversary.dpc.wa.gov.au
Premier's office: 9222 9475
175th Anniversary Grant Recipients
Andrew Gentile - $5,000
Development of a photographic book recording Swan River's upper reaches from Guildford to its beginnings in Walyunga, including the town of Guildford. Recording wildlife, bridges, landscape, people, architecture, as it is today, and in the process talking about the early exploration of the Swan, and its historical importance in the settlement of the Swan River Colony.
Australian Railway Historical Society - $1,265
Production of a set of display panels to increase public awareness of aspects of our railway history including the first government railway (Geraldton - Northampton, opened 1879); Names of Western Australian trains; WA's first convict-built railway; the WAGR Workshops at Midland; X class diesels; and people of the railways.
Consortium including the WA Historical Society, National Trust, WA Genealogical Society and Swan River pioneers - $5,000
Son et Lumiere - Woodbridge on the Swan. A sound and light show this tells the story of the meeting of cultures and the beginnings of the foundation of the Swan River settlement through the story of Charles and Fanny Harper, the original owners of Woodbridge.
Peter Grant, Qfest Director - $5,000
An original play, Of Spinifex and Sand to be premiered at the Qfest - Cue Outback Festival. The play is inspired by David W Carnegies celebrated account of five years spent on the Goldfields and in the far interior of Western Australia, from 1892-1897. Funds to be used for research and construction of an accurate replica of a portable water condenser to be used in the play then put on permanent display in Cue.
Gnowangerup District High School - $5,000
Develop an existing bush tucker garden for the public, providing information on the 'bush tucker' plants, along with historical information about local pioneers. This will form a history of the town from both the Aboriginal and the European perspectives. The Shire of Gnowangerup celebrates its Centenary in September 2004 and this is part of the celebrations.
Lesmurdie Primary School - $5,000
Creation of a mosaic wall mural to depict various activities that have been undertaken in the community from the beginning of the suburb through to present day. It will symbolise the growth of the area showing events that have helped to make Lesmurdie an important part of the metropolitan area, highlighting the contribution of migrants in the area, along with significant landmarks, flora and fauna.
Louise Lodge (Perth) - $5,000
A program of painting, drawing and photography excursions for the Perth Metro area to focus on our natural heritage. An experienced artist will work with groups of up to 15 to develop their appreciation of the natural heritage of WA, culminating in an exhibition of the works produced.
Mundaring and Hills Historical Society - $4,800
Design and construction of a public artwork highlighting the fact that the train carrying the 1890 Proclamation of Responsible Government stopped at Chidlow. Chidlow was the terminus for the second section of the Guildford to York railway. This artwork will be a Proclamation Train Sculpture.
Dom Christopher Power, Benedictine Community New Norcia - $5,000
Creation of a module on food as part of an exhibition of eight interactive displays - each display focusing on a key theme from the life of Aboriginal people at New Norcia. The text images and artefacts for the module will be provided by a working party made up of members of the New Norcia Aboriginal Corporation and the Benedictine Community of New Norcia.
Swan River Pioneers - $4,500
To create a CD database of Western Australia's first arrivals in the Swan River Colony between 1829-1838, including early shipping passenger lists; early government records; and a full transcript of the 1833 Perth gazette with a database of names and subjects.
Australian Women's Land Army Association - $5,000
Collection and organisation of historical information about the Australian Women's Land Army in WA. The project aims to transform a collection of oral histories and artifacts into a travelling display.
Dr Pat Bertola (Curtin) and Dr Pam Sharpe (UWA) - $4,755
Development of a transcription book of oral history interviews carried out in the Eastern Goldfields communities of Gwalia and Leonora by Dr Crienna Fitzgerald.
Irwin District Historical Society - $5,000
An exhibition of 'lost trades' at the Old Police Station Museum.
Kalannie Community Telecentre - $5,000
To record the history of the Kalannie community, which turns 75 in 2004.
The West Australian Quilters' Association - $5,000
To develop a catalogue on an exhibition of historic WA quilts. The exhibition will be called Women's Work. It will contain a description of the quilts and also of the women who made them, reflecting the times in which they lived.
THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA - FACT SHEET
Background:
In 1826 Major Edmund Lockyer arrived in King George Sound, later known as Albany, to establish a military outpost to ward off any French interest in the area. In 1829 Captain James Stirling arrived with three ships, first the Challenger and then the Parmelia and the Sulphur, and formally claimed Western Australia for the British by establishing the Swan River Colony.
The State Government has established a 175th Anniversary Steering Committee, chaired by Rockingham MLA Mark McGowan, to co-ordinate events in 2004 commemorating the foundation of Western Australia.
The history of our land begins a long time before 1829. Aboriginal people have lived here for more than 50 000 years, however, it is during the past 175 years that we have taken part in a shared journey. It is this richness of experience and culture that has made WA a better place to live.
2004 gives all Western Australians the opportunity to commemorate the past, reflect on the journey and to celebrate our future.

Next year also marks:

• the Year of the Built Environment;
• 175th Anniversary of the Auditor General's Department;
• the 100th Anniversary of the Parliament Building;
• the 100th Anniversary of His Majesty's Theatre;
• the 100th Anniversary of the Midland Railway Workshops;
• the 100th Anniversary of the Horseshoe Bridge; and
• the 50th Anniversary of the WA Ballet.

The aims of the 175th Anniversary are to:

• develop awareness of our history and heritage;
• recognise and value the diversity of our population;
• encourage balanced debate about the past, the present and the future for Western Australia;
• foster a sense of ownership and pride in our State;
• provide a legacy of understanding through the support of events and program that will have ongoing significance; and
• celebrate the achievements of the Western Australian community.

Projects and events being supported in 2004 include:
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE ICONS 2004
Western Australian Heritage Icons is a community project. It calls on the people of Western Australia to nominate the defining features that are recognisable and meaningful to them and uniquely Western Australian.
Nominations may include natural and built landscapes, phenomena, events, ceremonies, inventions, folklore and objects, the things from our everyday life or recent past that have the potential to be a Western Australian Heritage Icon.
The Premier will make announcements of Western Australian Heritage Icons throughout 2004 and an awards ceremony will be held towards the end of 2004.
The first icon will be announced next month.
Nomination forms are available at http://www.ntwa.com.au
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARLIAMENT BUILDING
REGIONAL SITTINGS OF PARLIAMENT
The 100th Anniversary of the Parliament Building will be marked by a series of events in 2004. One of the most significant will be the Regional Sittings of Parliament.
In March, the Legislative Assembly will sit in Albany for two days and in September; the Legislative Council will sit in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Other events such as Youth Parliaments and educational activities will be held in conjunction with these sittings.
WA ON SHOW
In August, the new Perth Convention Exhibition Centre will host the first whole-of-State exhibition - WA on Show.

Exhibitions will be mounted by both Government and non-Government organisations and will put the best of Western Australia on display.
There will be six pavilions, each with a different theme:
Pavilion 1 - the 175th Anniversary of Foundation
Pavilion 2 - Transport and Tourism
Pavilion 3 - Media and Leisure
Pavilion 4 - Land and Sea
Pavilion 5 - Resources and Engineering
Pavilion 6 - the Year of the Built Environment 2004.
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MIDLAND RAILWAY WORKSHOPS
2004 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Midland Railway Workshops. The Midland Redevelopment Authority and the Midland History Project have developed the concept of the Railway Workshops Centenary Precinct as an icon project to coincide with the 175th anniversary of the State.
A new Interpretive Centre will preserve the workshops' rich vein of working class history and provide a permanent home for the Midland History Project's extensive collection. It will introduce visitors to the site and provide the starting point of two heritage trails through the workshops.
KIMBERLEY CULTURE
Kimberley Culture, a gathering of artists from the Kimberley nations on Noongar land, will be a major focus of the Perth International Arts Festival 2004 and is supported as a 175th Anniversary project.
Artists from Warmum, Fitzroy Crossing, Kununurra and Derby will come to Perth over three weeks to celebrate some of the world's oldest living cultures, all emanating from one of Australia's most extraordinary and powerful places - the Kimberley region.
The program comprised eight diverse projects, each representing an aspect of Kimberley life and history, be it traditional or contemporary.
STATE CONFERENCE
In November, there will be a major, three-day conference covering themes of history, heritage, built environment, indigenous issues and creating a sustainable future for Western Australia. The conference will be staged at the new Perth Convention Exhibition Centre.
Logo Explanation:
The brief was to create something that had wide appeal, was readily identifiable and utilised a Western Australian colour palette.
The final design is based on a stylised Black Swan. The informal shapes were influenced by the long, elegant neck of the swan.
When these flowing shapes are placed together, they create a number of visual layers such as swan's feathers, combined with the flowing elements of water. Through the brighter coloured areas, there appears to be a human form that is stretching skyward.
The colours are symbolic of earth (orange), water (blue) and flora (green), giving a fresh, contemporary interpretation of a classic Western Australian icon - the Black Swan.
Website:
A 175th Anniversary website has been launched. The website contains background information, links and educational material. Events will be added to the website throughout the year.
The address is http://www.175anniversary.dpc.wa.gov.au