Caversham
Named after the property of Peter Shadwell, who took up a grant there in 1830, Caversham was one of the first areas in the Upper Swan Valley where grape vines were planted. Caversham contains many wineries and the Caversham Wildlife Park but is also an up-and-coming residential area with numerous estates beginning to be built around the suburb.
Caversham Airfield was constructed during World War II as a parent aerodrome for the United States Fleet Air Arm of the 7th Fleet. After the war, the airfield was used as a motor racing circuit, hosting its first event in 1946. It became Western Australia's premier motor racing venue, hosting the Australian Grand Prix in 1957 and 1962. It Also hosted regular rounds of the Australian Drivers Championship as well as an annual Le Mans 6 hour race on the Triangle Circuit. Australian Formula I racing champion Sir Jack Brabham OBE cut his teeth in motor racing here. Racing activities ceased when the airfield was re-activated as a military facility and Western Australian racing shifted to Wanneroo Raceway in 1969.
Relics at the site of the former RAAF Caversham air base
The suburb of Brabham, which takes in the area of the Caversham Motor Racing Circuit reserve, is named after Sir Jack Brabham OBE. A triple formula one world champion who was named Australian of the Year in 1966, Brabham was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1967 and then knighted for his services to motor sport in 1979. The suburb's initial residential subdivision is immediately to the north of the site of the racing circuit.
1957 Caversham Grand Prix
Early in 2007 the land was transferred to the State Government who immediately had the area of the race circuit made into a permanent reserve and gave the Vintage Sports Car Club of WA permission to run an event there to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Australian Grand Prix run on the circuit in 1957. The Club has use of the substantial ex-military buildings on the site and the preservation of the circuit and the development of the surrounding housing suburb present the opportunity to create something genuinely unique in Western Australia.
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Riverbank Detention Centre was opened in 1960. The site was part of one of the earliest land holdings granted in the swan district. By 1837, the grant was owned by Edward Hamersley, who developed it as his Pyrton estate.
In the 1850s, the land was developed as a vineyard and by 1857, a residence had been constructed. The land was subdivided in the 1940s, and the property at that stage was onwed by market gardener Rafaelle Masolini.
The State Government acquired the property in 1957 as the site for construction of a reformatory for boys. in 1959, the Pyrton buildings were demolished, and Riverbank Detention Centre was developed and opened in 1960. The complex was superseded by banksia Hill Detention Centre at Canning Vale in 1997, although the Riverbank facility remained in used for male adults until c.2001.
Location: Pyrton, 130 Hamersley Road, Caversham, WA.
The land was part of the Mission Grant established in 1836 largely as a result of the efforts of Captain Irwin, Commandant of the 63rd Regiment, who was instrumental in founding the Western Australian Missionary Society. Swanleigh is the earliest recorded facility for the care of Aboriginal children.
Swanleigh has been used continuously for the care of children from 1836. It provided institutional care for both indigenous and european children. From 1874, it developed as an orphanage, and from 1960 functioned as a residential college for high school students. Swan Cottage, a remnant of the 1836 Mission, and Cornwell House, provide evidence of changing historical attitudes to the needs and importance of the state s indigenous population. Swanleigh precinct is owned and run by the Anglican Church.
Swanleigh Precinct includes Brown House (1874), Waylen House (1905), Alfred Guy Memorial Hall (1936) and the Gymnasium (1938), swan Cottage (c. 1850), Cornwell House (1888; 1915) native orphanage (part of swanleigh Hostel). Location: Yule Avenue, Middle Swan, WA.
This site was purchased by the Western Australian Missionary Society in 1836, for the purpose of establishing a Christian Mission, based on Anglican principles, for Aborigines and the more destitute of the settlers. The first church built here was an octagonal mud brick church completed in 1840. The current brick and iron church in the Victorian Academic Gothic style was built in 1869. The graveyard dates from 1838. Location: st Mary s Church and graveyard, Yule Avenue, Middle Swan, WA.
Midland Brick was established by brothers Ric and Gerry New in 1946, to address the brick shortage during Perth's post World War II building boom. in 1962, Ric new introduced WA s first tunnel kiln. In 1985, Midland Brick took over the adjacent Whiteman s Bricks, which had been established by Lou Whiteman in 1895. Midland Brick was taken over by the boral Group in 1990. Location: Whiteman s Brick Kilns, Bassett Road, Middle Swan, WA.
Sandalford Homestead was built on Swan Location L, which was granted to John Septimus Roe, the first surveyor General of WA, in 1829. The house was constructed in c. 1870, and extended in c. 1900. the original section has a steeply pitched roof and decorative valance. Later sections are higher with corbelled chimneys.
The property was leased to tenants until Roe s grandson, John Frederick Fred Roe, went to live there in 1900. He cleared land for market gardens and vine growing, and had great success with table grapes and dried fruit. During World War II, he began making wine there, and this industry has continued to flourish.
Location: Sandalford Winery, 3210 Middle Swan Rd, Caversham, WA
Rainsworth House is a large two storey Federation style villa built in c. 1904, for the widow of William Harris. Following his death in 1901, his widow subdivided Rainworth estate as it was originally known, remarried, and built Rainsworth House . The site also contains remnants of a two room mud brick cottage built in 1833, by Joshua Gregory, who died in 1838. His sons Augustus and Francis Gregory became famous explorers.
In 1859, William Harris leased Rainworth from the Gregory family, and purchased it in 1863. He established a successful vineyard there in the latter half of the nineteenth century.
Location: 15 Middle Swan Rd, West Swan, WA
One of the upper Swan Valley's pioneer properties, the earliest section of Caversham House dates from the 1850s. there are significant olive trees on the property. Caversham Estate was one of the areas subdivided between 1900 and the early 1920s. The area was subsequently settled by immigrants from southern europe (especially Yugoslavia) who established small farms and vineyards. Location: Caversham House, 141 Caversham Ave, Caversham, WA
Located in Whiteman Park, Caversham Wildlife Park showcases many of Australia s unique native animals, including koalas, wallabies, possums, Tasmanian devils and wombats providing visitors with the opportunity for a close-up encounter with some Australian icons. Hand-feed our kangaroos, have a photo taken with the koalas, catch a keeper talk and interact in one of two great hands-on shows all included in your admission fee.
Open every day, 9.00am to 5.30pm. Closed Christmas Day. Entry fees apply. Ph (08) 9248 1984.
Whiteman Park is a 4,000-hectare bushland area located 22 km north of Perth, Western Australia. The park is in the suburb of Whiteman, in the Swan Valley in the upper reaches of the Swan River. It was developed around a popular swimming hole on Bennett Brook named mussel Pool. Whiteman Park includes bushwalking trails, bike paths, sports facilities and playgrounds. Transport heritage is strong at Whiteman Park.
Nowhere else in Australia is there an opportunity to experience such a wide range of transport heritage in one place. Whiteman Park's transport heritage theme dates back to the 1960s, when Lew Whiteman assembled a collection of wagons and machinery on the land he then owned around Mussel Pool. There are now five independent community groups based at Whiteman Park; each hold significant transport heritage collections and provide rides and displays for visitors.
