Historical Encyclopedia of WA

Previews

Themes

All aspects of Western Australian history are covered in the Encyclopedia within the following themes: Aboriginal; Agriculture and pastoralism; Biography; Communications and transport; Convicts; Defence; Education; Environment; Exploration and foundation; Gender (has been spread across all themes); Government; Health; Heritage and architecture; Industry; Law; Literature; Media; Migration; Mining; Music; Performing arts; Place; Public works; Science; Social life; Social movements; Spirituality; Sport and recreation; Visual arts; Welfare; Work and labour.

What does an entry look like?

The Historical Encyclopedia of Western Australia will be arranged alphabetically by headword (entry title). Entries vary in size from 150 words to 3,000 words. Each entry will be cross-referenced to other relevant topics within the Encyclopedia, and will include suggestions for further reading. The publication will also be fully indexed. The index is still being compiled and will appear on this website soon.  Some entries will include illustrative material. An example entry is available by clicking on the link below:

Cricket (example entry)


Sample entries

The entries below illustrate the range of subjects covered.

Thank you to our partner the J.S. Battye Library of WA History for allowing us to use oral histories and films from their collection to enliven these Encyclopedia entries and to show the potential of an electronic multimedia version of the Encyclopedia.

Please click thumbnails for more information on each topic.








FLOWERS IN THE CITY - Beginning in 1950, annual Flower Days were a popular and successful fundraising activity for the Silver Chain Nursing Association. This film clip shows some of the imaginative floral arrangements on display during the 1953 Flower Day. (1 x Film, 1 x Text)
THE SHARK THAT GOT AWAY - Extract from City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club project. Oral history interview with David McRae and E. Schulstad. Interviewed by A. Collins and T. Hayden, 1981. Battye Library, OH 2563/7. (1 x Audio Recording, 2 x Text)









ROTTNEST GUNS - Extract from oral history interview with Gerry McGann. Interviewed by Chris Jeffery, 1980. Battye Library, OH397. (1 x Audio Recording, 1 x Text)







THE QUEEN IN WA - The excitement of a Royal visit is captured in this film footage showing the Queen arriving in Kalgoorlie in 1954. (1 x Film, 1 x Text)







NIGHTLIFE OF PERTH - The highlights of Perth’s night life are revealed in this segment from a 1970 film produced by the WA Tourism Commission. (1 x Film, 1 x Text)







DOMESTIC SCIENCE FOR YOUNG WOMEN - In this clip from an old Education Department film, school girls are taught  domestic science. (1 x Film, 1 x Text)

Courtesy Battye Library