SPRING 2020 EDITION FAMILY AND LOCAL HISTORY NEWSLETTER
Joondalup Library, Local History Monday – Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm 102 Boas Avenue, Joondalup, 6027 Saturday 9.30am – 12.30pm
Reverend John Smithies Mission Farm
The Autumn 2020 edition of the Family and Local History Newsletter included an article titled Early Education in Wanneroo children at Mission Farm died as a with the land. Progress has been made and Joondalup. The article consequence of introduced diseases”. in adding suggested resources to the referred to the Reverend The Mission Farm, like other equivalent Local History Collection with the aim educational facilities of this era, was the of building a collection that provides a John Smithies Mission cause for deep generational sorrow for more balanced view of history and the Farm as the first school Aboriginal people. To assist with the impact of European settlement on the established in the Wanneroo healing process, the City of Joondalup Traditional Owners of the land. Oral is developing a Reconciliation Action storytelling is also being encouraged so District in 1844. The City has Plan to build relationships, respect and that voices and stories can be captured more information to share opportunities with Aboriginal people. and preserved for future generations. about this story. Continued on page 4 The City’s Local History collection The Mission Farm was built beside is located in the City of Joondalup Should you wish to read further Lake Goollelal and was also referred Library - Joondalup and welcomes all about this period in Joondalup’s to as the ‘Native Experimental Farm’. perspectives of a narrative, whether history, refer to the back page for The Mission Farm sought to convert written through diaries, letters, a list of resources. Aboriginal people to Christianity and transcripts and the like. Often more integrate them into white society. difficult to capture are those stories told Aboriginal adults and children were via a storyline or orally passed down Thanks to those community taught farming and housework skills through the generations. The local members who reached out with the intention of Aboriginal people Aboriginal people, until comparatively with suggestions of books entering into servitude for colonials. recently, were rarely given an and other materials to add to opportunity to record their views and the Local History collection. The Mission Farm dispossessed experiences in ways that are widely Gratitude is also extended Aboriginal people off their land, led accessible to others. to those willing to share their to the forced separation of families own story so that together a and exacerbated a loss of culture and The City’s Local History team is more comprehensive historical life on Country. The City’s publication dedicating efforts to strengthen material repository of information on the Plants and People in Mooro Country in the collection that shares Aboriginal region can be developed. reports that “a significant number of history and the Noongar relationship
Contact the Local History team on 9400 4746 or email [email protected] joondalup.wa.gov.au Welcome to the Family and Local History Newsletter Spring 2020
The rise and fall of the Binishells In June 1977, on a site at Penistone site to inspect the damage. Three $30,000 to build. The domes were Reserve in Greenwood, Dr Dante days later a senior manager from the weather proofed by covering them Bini threw a power switch. Several licensed builder, Jennings Ltd, advised with a layer of the then revolutionary hours later a four-storey tall cement that a structural engineer and Dr Bini material of chopped recycled rubber, structure measuring 36m in diameter had inspected the building and had which was also used for the Binishells’ and 11m high, had risen on the found it to be structurally sound. Some floors. Partitioning was added to create site. Built by covering a balloon-like remedial work to reinforce the affected the necessary range of rooms within membrane in 350 tonnes of concrete, portion of the shell was carried out at each structure. One remarkable feature coils of reinforcing steel and an outer the time. of the method of construction is that it membrane (all of which was then took only six months from the raising of inflated), the Binishells, as they were When the Shire of Wanneroo’s its concrete Binishell to the opening of known, were a radical means of quickly Binishells were built, there were already each recreation centre. building a structure that could be used more than 500 in use within Australia, for numerous purposes. Italy, England and the Middle-East. The Erected in Padbury, Greenwood Padbury and Yanchep Binishells were and Yanchep in the second half Two further Binishells were erected the first to be built in Western Australia. of 1977, the Binishells were used for the Shire of Wanneroo. The first Of varying sizes, the Binishells were for a wide range of sporting and Binishell was built in July 1977 at used for a diverse range of purposes, recreational activities. The opening of McDonald Reserve in Padbury. including smaller versions used for low- the Greenwood Binishell in Penistone cost housing. Reserve on 11 March 1978 involved The second Binishell was built in demonstrations of gymnastics, November 1977 at Lisford Avenue in The larger Binishells, such as those badminton, judo and table tennis, Yanchep. Unfortunately, towards the built for the Shire of Wanneroo, were plus displays of a wide variety of hand end of the four days required for the used for recreational purposes. crafts, with most of the groups involved concrete to harden, a power failure Binishells offered the Shire the taking up the opportunity to meet at at the Yanchep site led to the balloon opportunity to construct three new the Centre. Residents of the region partly deflating before it had fully set. recreation centres for around $260,000 were also invited to contact the Shire’s Some cracking was apparent in the each. At the time, a four bedroom Recreation Officer with requests or dome. Dr Bini was recalled to the and two-bathroom house cost around suggestions for other activities that could be provided.
In 1982 the Yanchep Binishell was closed. $70,000 of work was undertaken to add a second floor inside the shell to enable the provision of a library, additional craft rooms, storage and office facilities. In 1984 apparent movement of the Yanchep structure resulted in the Shire engaging civil engineers to monitor it for the next 12 months however, the recreation centre continued to operate.
The Binishells were particularly important to playgroups operating in the Shire, with over 200 children attending weekly playgroups at the Padbury centre alone. They were also used to provide holiday programs, as well as continuing to offer a wide range of sports and recreational activities.
Construction of the Greenwood Binishell, Penistone Reserve Greenwood, 1977.
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Padbury Binishell at McDonald Reseve Padbury circa 1986.
The operation of the Binishells was Greenwood and Padbury Binishells its waterproof membrane replaced interrupted in September 1986 by were structurally sound and did not within three years - costing another the collapse of a Binishell at Pittwater need remedial work to further stiffen $120,000. The cost to reopen the High School, in Sydney, only a short the structures. However, the Yanchep Greenwood Binishell meant it never time after it was vacated by students. Binishell needed significant work to reopened. In October 1989, it was The three Shire of Wanneroo Binishells ensure that it could operate safely. demolished. The Padbury Binishell were closed the next day. Initially it was The main difference between the reopened in April 1988 and operated hoped that they could be inspected, three Binishells was that the Yanchep until the City of Joondalup Leisure found to be safe and then reopen Binishell had a flatter curvature at the Centre Craigie was officially opened within a week. However, in April the top of the dome which weakened it. on 2 April 1993. The Padbury Binishell following year, the buildings remained The same issue was identified as a was eventually demolished in October closed at the behest of the Health main cause of the weakness in the 1993. Department while an investigation Pittwater structure. into the reason for the collapse of the Pittwater Binishell was ongoing. The Shire decided to demolish and Transportable buildings and the Shire’s rebuild the top of the Yanchep Binishell mobile library were brought in to using conventional building techniques provide alternative facilities. Most of the at a cost of $400,000. The Yanchep sports competitions moved to outdoor Binishell eventually reopened on 5 facilities as better weather approached. November 1989.
In September 1987 the Binishells In March 1988, the City of Wanneroo remained closed. Reports to the Shire determined that reopening the Padbury of Wanneroo by the same consultants and Greenwood Binishells would Demolition of the Greenwood Binishell who investigated the collapse of the cost up to $450,000 and that the 3 October 1989. Pittwater Binishell indicated that the Padbury structure would need to have
3 Are you interested in What’s your old photographs and family history? the history of Perth? Joondalup Library’s Take your family to Perth: An accidental Local History collection history exhibition before 12 February 2021. hosts information about The photographs may bring back memories Aboriginal culture and of living in Perth that you can share with the early development younger generations. of the City of Joondalup and Wanneroo areas. Weekdays 9.30am – 4.30pm, Free Does your family have National Archives of Australia Aboriginal connections to Western Australia Office Joondalup, or links to its early 45 Francis Street, Northbridge settlement history? The City would love to hear from you.
Continued from page 1 Should you wish to read further about this period in Finding ancestors Joondalup’s history - the following resources are being sourced and acquired: who do not appear in census records · City of Joondalup. Learning about Bushland Visit joondalup.wa.gov.au In the past it was common for several generations and branches · Collard, Neville. 2010. Plants and people in Mooro Country: of a family to live close to each Nyungar plant use in Yellagonga Regional Park / [City of Joondalup]. other. If you can’t find your 581.63 PLA ancestors in census records, · Haebich, A. 1999. The Stolen Generations: separation of Aboriginal try searching for their relatives children from their families in Western Australia. Q 362.8499 HAE or known associates who lived in the same town. Once you · Hawtrey, C.L.M. 1949. The Availing Struggle: A Record of the find these people, browse Planting and Development of the Church of England in Western the adjacent census pages in Australia, 1829-1947 search of your ancestors.
· Hetherington, P. 1992. Aboriginal children as a potential labour force in Swan River Colony, 1829-1850. Journal of Australian Studies, 16 (33): 41-55
· Informit – Indigenous Collection (RMIT Education). Online resource. Visit joondalup.wa.gov.au
· Journal - Reconciliation News (printed copies) and access to online Joondalup Library, Local History resource. T: 08 9400 4746 reconciliation.org.au/resources/?download_ E: [email protected] search=reconciliation+news&download_category=reconciliation- 102 Boas Avenue, Joondalup, WA, 6027 news#ra-downloadables-wrapper PO Box 21, Joondalup, WA, 6919 · Mitchell, J. 2011. In Good Faith? Governing Indigenous Australia joondalup.wa.gov.au through God, Charity and Empire, 1825-1855. press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p5051/pdf/book. pdf?referer=245 This document is available in alternative formats upon request.
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