Find books, maps, photographs, oral histories, ephemera and local newspaper clippings which provide insight into the interesting and unique background of our City.
2023 Local History Awards Kalamunda Library is holding the inaugural Local History Award in 2023. The City is encouraging the community involvement in recording and promoting the rich history of the City of Kalamunda for future generations.Entries closed on Tuesday, 31 January 2023. Find out more here
Of the fourteen *Noongar language groups, the people who live in the Perth region are known as the Whadjuk people. The Canning River is the border between the two Whadjuk clans, the Bilya (Beeliar) and Beeloo (Beelu) people. The land south of the Swan River and west of the Canning River to the coast is known as Bilya (Beeliar). The land east of the Canning River to the Helena River is Beeloo land. The Youran (bobtail lizard) is the totem animal for the Bilya people; and the Nyingarn (echidna) is the totem animal for the Beeloo people. The Beeloo people hunted tortoises in the wetlands (Mundy Swamp), carrying them to higher ground in the east for cooking and eating.
During the early days of settlement, Mundy (Munday) (pronounced mun-dee) was one of the most important and successful negotiators for the Whadjuk community. The name can be recognised in Mundy Regional Park and Mundy Swamp, a wetland located against the north-eastern perimeter fence of Perth airport, south-west of King road and west of the Forrestfield and Kewdale railway yards.
In 1827 the Colonial Botanist Mr Charles Fraser and Captain James Stirling explored the region to evaluate its suitability for farming. Initially the area was used for forestry and orchards; fruit growing continues to be one of the major industries in the City today. The Townsite of Kalamunda was approved in 1902 and quickly established itself as a tourism destination. Advertised as a ‘health resort’, City folk would travel to Kalamunda to experience nature, fresh air and a change of climate. This rich heritage now provides a range of historical and cultural attractions for tourists.
*Noongar is the general name for Aboriginal people in the south-west of Western Australia.
Artwork by Aurora AbrahamSix Season information sourced via bom.gov.au/iwk/nyoongar
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The six Nyoongar seasons that you'll experience in the south-west of Western Australia are:
The City of Kalamunda Local History Collection was established in 1984 with the help of the Kalamunda and Districts Historical Society. A collection of historic records were established as useful for research purposes and general interest.
The Local History Collection provides information about Kalamunda, Lesmurdie, Forrestfield, Wattle Grove, High Wycombe, Maida Vale, Pickering Brook and neighbouring suburbs and localities within the City of Kalamunda. This collection is housed at Kalamunda Library.
The collection is a valuable repository containing information on the development, society and culture of the City, including the people, places and events that have shaped the history of the region. Types of material include books, pamphlets, diaries, letters, local government archives, maps, photographs, oral histories, ephemera and local newspaper clippings of articles of a biographical nature and of relevance to the City of Kalamunda.
View Local History Collection current ePublications
An online collection of historic images.
Photographs of local people, places and events viewable online. The City of Kalamunda Local History Pictorial Collection is incorporated in the City of Kalamunda Library Services Online Catalogue. Select ‘Local History Collection’ in the Home search targets dropdown. Enter a search term or select SEARCH to explore the collection.
A collaborative project with the aim of highlighting local history collections.
Oral Histories are available thanks to the efforts of the Bill Shaw Oral History Group.
Enquiries should be directed to the Kalamunda Library front desk during Opening Hours. Alternatively, you can email us at libraries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au.
If extensive help is required to research the collection, please make an appointment with the Local History Librarian via telephone on (08) 9257 9852
Follow us on the Kalamunda Libraries Facebook Page where images are selected from our Local History Collection and shared along with known details about the image. These posts highlight our wonderful collection and stories of our area.
Search the library edition of this genealogical site for free at all public computers throughout the City of Kalamunda Libraries.
Website: https://www.ancestrylibrary.com.au/
Visit the WA Genealogical Society’s website to find out about the society’s products and services and view links to all Local Studies Centres in the metropolitan area
Website: http://wags.org.au/o
Located in the Armadale Public Library, the Birtwistle Local Studies Collection focuses on the history of the Armadale-Kelmscott area, which borders and at times overlaps the area of interest of our collection.
Website: https://library.armadale.wa.gov.au/birtwistle-library
The WA Heritage Database lists the State Register of Heritage Places as well as those on local government heritage inventories, Commonwealth heritage lists and places classified by the National Trust.
Website: https://www.dplh.wa.gov.au/about/the-heritage-council-of-western-australia
Located in the WA Folklore Archive, this site offers access to a variety of items and information about the City of Kalamunda’s ‘Foothills Connection’ Community Heritage project.
Website: http://john.curtin.edu.au/folklore/foothills.html
The Pickering Brook Heritage Group captures, preserves and records the history of the Pickering Brook district.
Website: https://old.pickeringbrookheritagegroup.com.au/
The J.S. Battye Library at the State Library of WA holds a large collection of material relating to WA. Websites:
The Royal Historical Society of WA collects and preserves the history of Western Australia and has an extensive reference library and photographic collection.
Website: http://histwest.org.au/
Australia's pre-eminent dictionary of national biography. Find concise, informative and fascinating descriptions of the lives of significant and representative persons in Australian history.
Website: http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/
Trove is a fantastic search engine giving access to millions of items in Australian collections. Simply by searching for ‘Kalamunda’ you will find many relevant images, newspaper articles and maps.
Website: http://trove.nla.gov.au/
The WA Post Office Directories are an invaluable source of information for anyone who is doing family history or research on Western Australia during the period 1893-1949.
Website: https://slwa.wa.gov.au/collections/collections/post-office-directories
Carnamah is a town and farming community 300 kilometres north of Perth in the Mid-West region of Western Australia. The Carnamah Historical Society & Museum was founded in 1983 to collect, record, preserve and promote local history.
Website: http://www.carnamah.com.au/
In addition to holding more than 100 years of Australian Government records, the National Archives is a great place to research your family history. Search war service records if your family members served in the Australian Armed Forces. Immigration records of those who migrated to Australia in the 20th century are also available.
Website: http://www.naa.gov.au/
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