Community Groups. Community Groups. Community Groups.
Click a link below or scroll down page
.
There have been a large number of community groups in Katanning over the years. They have been started by well-meaning community members, and generally run by volunteers, for the betterment of the local community. Without those many volunteers over the years, there would have been no community groups or sporting groups for us all to enjoy. So thank you to each and every one of them!
Some have started elsewhere and branches have been formed in the town. Some are unique to Katanning, or have started here and grown into much larger organisations. And some have disappeared over the years – either for a lack of volunteers or the service they provided was no longer required in the community.
.
STRENGTH OF EMPIRE MOVEMENT
The Strength of Empire Movement appears to have started in Melbourne in mid 1918. The founder was the Victorian member of parliament, Edmund Wilson Greenwood MLA. In his time, Greenwood held executive positions in the Anti-Liquor League of Victoria and the Australian Prohibition Council. He was a lay preacher (Methodist), a member of the Australian Natives Association and a strong pro-conscriptionist. The first meeting of the Katanning branch was held in February, 1919 at the the Anglican Parish Hall.
Continue reading
.
KATANNING AMBULANCE SERVICE
The St John Ambulance in Katanning was originally a part of the Railway Ambulance Corps and consisted mainly of railway workers. It evolved to become a branch of the St John Ambulance Central Office in Perth.
The first ambulance building, including a garage and schoolroom, was built on railway land in Austral Terrace.
Continue reading
.
KATANNING BOY’S CLUB
KATANNING BOY’S CLUB
Great Southern Herald
24 October 1947 – P12
The Boy’s Club, conducted by the Katanning Athletic Club, will conclude it activities for 1947 on Tuesday, October 28, when a display will be given by the boys. This will be an open night for anybody to see for themselves what an important work is being done for the youth of Katanning by this organisation.
Most of the parents will assuredly be there, and a cordial invitation is extended to others who, although they may not have such a personal interest as the parents, will come and see how the Boy’s Club is very worthy of their support.
Recently six of the boys paid a visit to Perth, at the invitation of the Police Boy’s Club Federation. They were apparently treated handsomely; spending a day at the Royal Show, and also making visits to Canning Dam, the Zoo, Araluen, and being given a privilege extended to few, an inspection of the Police Museum.
The display on October 28 will take place in the old grain sheds in the railway yards and will commence at 7-30 p.m. It is proposed to commence the Club’s activities for 1948 in April.
.
VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE
Australia is a country that relies heavily on volunteers for much of its community service. Local men and women who come together to provide a better and safer community for all who live there.
And Katanning is no different. One of the earliest major fires in the town was the complete destruction of the original Katanning Hotel, with the loss of an infant life on 23 January, 1897. The hotel was a single storey weatherboard building built by Frederick Piesse and leased by John Cook. At that point in time there was no local fire brigade and members of the community tried in vain to put the fire out by hand and with limited water resources.
Continue reading
.
COUNTRY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
The Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) was formed in 1933, and encompasses CWA in Australia. The formation of a national body was agreed in 1945 by all CWA State Presidents. The First Annual Conference of the Country Women’s Association of Australia was held in Adelaide in 1946, with Australian delegates being sent to the ACWW Conference in Amsterdam the following year.
The Katanning branch of the CWA was formed in 1930 and held its inaugural meeting on 19 May, 1930 at the Katanning Anglican Hall.
Continue reading
.
KATANNING CAR CLUB
The Katanning Car Club held its first official function on Sunday, 21 November, 1954, when members proceeded in convoy to Mr C. R. Kowald’s property at Cherry Tree Pool. Unfortunately, ten members were unable to attend, but this did not detract from the successful outing.
Continue reading
.
KATANNING HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The first Royal Western Australian Historical Society affiliated branch in Western Australia. The Society is responsible for preserving our history at the Katanning Museum.
The Katanning Museum and Heritage Precinct is situated off Amabel Street between Taylor and Richardson Streets in Katanning. Although there are several buildings on the site; the main two are Katanning’s first government school and the former Methodist Church. Read more
.
KATANNING MINIATURE RAILWAY CLUB
The Katanning Miniature Railway was established over 27 years ago by Len and Betty Toms. A governing committee was formed in 1995 and the club now has four operating trains including “Heidi” (steam train), “Bits ‘N’ Pieces” (diesel loco), “Blossom” (diesel loco) owned by M. Ball and its new train the “Kindy Express” (electric).
The train station was the original Kendenup Railway Station that was transported and renovated by local service clubs in 1990. Over the years the Katanning Miniature Railway has benefited from many LotteryWest and FRRR grants to extend the tracks, build a workshop, fix the roof, purchase trains etc. The club is run by a volunteer base of approximately 12-14 people and it is always looking for new volunteers!
Continue reading
.
KATANNING VIGILANCE GROUP
In September of 1922, a number of prominent Katanning business people, including George McLeod (who was one of the longest serving members of the Katanning Roads Board) were concerned that the Katanning Roads Board, state government politicians, and various government departments could use a helping hand.
In particular, it was thought that having a group such as this would lend support to arguments put forward in parliament, on behalf of the community, by local member of the day, Alec Thomson, M.L.A.
It is also interesting to note that, currently, Katanning is considered one of the most multicultural communities in Western Australia. This multiculturalism hasn’t just started. In fact, encouraging settlers from overseas, and making provisions to welcome them into our community started with the Katanning Vigilance Committee when it was formed all those years ago.
Read more
.
DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION?
Do you have any historical information or photographs on community groups based in Katanning over the years?
If so, I would love to hear from you.
You can contact me at admin@lostkatanning.au
or via our CAN YOU HELP page.