Darlington History Group

When It’s Wet And Windy, What To Do? Prune Your Stuff Sounds Like A Really Good Plan

We collect Bric-A-Brac and books all year round, so that we can have a marquee full of Great Stuff at the Darlington Arts Festival. Christine is wanting your Great-Stuff-You-No-Longer-Need , so if on some wet, blustery cold day you can’t go out and suddenly feel inspired to sort your Stuff, put it in a box and call us. You can contact Christine on 0490 793 015. We thank you in advance!

Lesser Hall Centenary 2023 – we have a date!

Saturday 19 August, 2023 2.30pm To 5.30pm

Community stalwart Sally Herzfeld and DRRA Chair Anthony Spagnolo have taken on the mantle of organising the Hall Centenary. Please set aside the date to come along and celebrate this milestone of the original wine cellar operating for 100 years as the village hall. Groups or individuals who would like to join the Centenary Planning Group or would like to assist in some way on the day are most welcome to contact Sally on her email Sallyherzfeld@ozemail.com.au .

History of Waylen Vineyards, The Hall and the Oval

If you would like to find out more about the history of the Hall and the oval, then pickup a copy of the book written by Darlington historians Cliff Burns and Arlene Collings. You can purchase a copy for just $15 at both Darlington Cafes, the Post Office, or by emailing Abigail publicity@dhg.org.au to organise local pickup of a copy.

The History Hunter Finds A Blooper!

Unfortunately, Lorraine Clarke’s talk on the East Perth Cemeteries was cancelled due to the speaker being unwell. However, this talk has been rescheduled to our Spring Guest Speaker Programme, so we look forward to seeing you then. Meanwhile, Archivist Lyn Myles decided to do some research to find if any of our Darlington luminaries may have been buried in the East Perth Cemetery. Lyn discovered that the first wife of Alfred Waylen is in the East Perth Cemeteries Database, but after researching her death using Trove Death and Funeral Notices Lyn discovered that Elizabeth Louisa Waylen (nee Hardey) died in 1885 at Perth, but was not buried there. She was buried at the East Guildford Cemetery (now the Guildford Grammar Cemetery), as was her husband Alfred Waylen 16 years later in 1901. The following excerpt is a Funeral Notice from the West Australian Newspaper, Tuesday 13 October 1885:

“A large number of gentlemen proceeded to Guildford yesterday afternoon by special train to attend the funeral of the late Mrs Waylen, whose decease, after a prolonged illness, took place early on Sunday morning last. The funeral procession left Guildford church at three o’clock, the interment taking place in the pretty little cemetery overlooking the Swan near Woodbridge.”

Vale Darlington Residents Richard and Roger

Sadly, the funerals of two long term Darlington Residents occurred recently. The first was for Richard Woldendorp who was an Australian landscape photographer and State Living treasure. He and his wife Lyn were both inaugural members of the Darlington History Group. Both have been very supportive of our group and donated and shared many early photographs of Richards for us to use. His obituary was published in the West Australian on Thursday 11th May 2023.

The other Darlington resident was Roger Lyons whose father came to WA from NSW and worked as an orchardist before serving in WWI. After the war Lyons Snr married and later moved to Darlington around 1930. Since this time Roger’s family has owned this same property on Leithdale Road, known as “Brookside”. Roger had been invaluable in sharing his knowledge of Darlington people and places with our group, and we very much appreciated the time he gave us.

We farewell these two fine gentlemen, and extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to all members of their families.

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