Greenbushes Discovery Centre

14/11/2026

Happy Birthday to King Charles today. Born in 1948, West Australian's recognised his birthday a couple of months ago.

In 1907, Charles' ancestor Edward VII was the monarch, and the Kings birthday holiday was held much closer to his birthday. Edward was born 9th November 1841 and in 1907, the public holiday was held on Monday 11th November. It had mixed reactions as you can read:

"Monday's Holiday. — Greenbushes and Bridgetown were both largely deserted on Monday last, the day; being kept as a holiday in honour of the King's Birthday. In Greenbushes the stores were closed, all day but in Bridgetown this was not so,
much to the disgust of several of the storekeepers. Numerous picnics, etc., were held and the people for the most part were bent on enjoying themselves."

13/11/2026

Do you have Paraskevidekatriaphobia?

It is an unreasonable fear of Friday 13th. People who fear that day and date combination may also not admire the handsome Alan the cat in this photo today.

Why is Friday 13th a problem? Well statistically there is no higher chance of something bad happening than any other day. It became a popular urban myth in France in 1834. It also relates to people not liking the number 13 as it went against what they saw as natural. They based this on being 12 hours on a clock, 12 months in a year and 13 appeared to be unnatural.

Religion also helped shape the fear as the 13th guest at the Last Supper was Judas.

Now if you're in Spain or Greece, then it's Tuesday 13th that isn't popular and in Italy Friday the 17th.

Today though is Friday 13th, and we are open 10-2 and the Op Shop next door is open as well.

Basically, it's a great day to be in Greenbushes.

12/11/2026

We have some very unique items in the Centre. Some take a bit of time to find.

This one we will give you a hint.

There is a display case and it has lots of small items inside a small metal container. We photographed those and then placed the photos in a file next to the cabinet. Inside that file is some great photos, and even this letter.

So when you come to visit, open covers, books, and have a good poke around. If it's on display you're welcome to have a good look. Except the animals, please don't touch those as they are too delicate.

Open Wednesday, Friday & Saturdah 10-2 every week.

11/11/2026

This headstone tucked down in the Plot 2 area of the cemetery does not give credit to the woman whose name appears.

Firstly, her death certificate says she died 12th November 1914, though her headstone states 11th November 1914.

Helen Stevens was born in Edinburgh in 1867, and first married in 1880 at the Oamaru Manse in Otago North New Zealand on 19th July 1880 to Richard Ridgill. The couple had 6 children, though only 3 survived infancy, 2 girls Ellen and Violet were twins.

While married they moved to East Brighton in Victoria. In 1896 Richard was charged with desertion of his wife and children, and in 1902, Richard was missing, and various newspapers reported his sister Agnes attempting to contact him.

The Webbs with 6 children were in Greenbushes by 1909 when Jonas or John as he was also known lost a finger in an accident. He sued Mr Moss the manager for damages. Jonas and his brother Henry had worked as carpenters in 1901 at the Boulder no. 1 lease in the Goldfields.

Helen died suddenly in her garden after being ill for some time. Apparently a very loud thunder clap shocked her, and caused her to collapse. Jonas was in Bunbury at the time. He died 26th August 1918.

10/11/2026

We are pleased to share this progress photo of our new mural today.
Remembrance Day.
We love the poppies that grow each year next to our building. Now thanks to our talented mural artist we will have poppies all year round.

Lest We Forget

10/11/2026

Our Heritage Amble stories this week take us to Number 6 on the list. Mrs Armstrong's Vege Shop.

Mrs Armstrong was born Johanna Isabella Fraser and she married Robert Henry Armstrong in 1905. Sadly he died on 13th October 1918. His obituary read:

"ROBERT HENRY ARMSTRONG. He greatest sympathy is felt for Mrs. Armstrong, of Greenbushes, whose husband, Robert Henry Armstrong, passed away at Greenbushes on October 13 last at the age of 51 years. The deceased, who had suffered from indifferent health, had been under medical attention for some
time past. He was an old identity of the tinfields, having been in business in that town for many years past."

Our Heritage Amble states Mrs Fraser had a vegetable shop, but in January 1923 when she fell and broke her right arm the newspapers referred to her having a confectionary shop.

Johanna died in 1933, and her obituary stated she was the sister of Mrs Laverty and Miss Fraser of Perth and Mr John Fraser of Sydney.

09/11/2026

This is so exciting for town!

What an amazing 9 years it has been at the Shamrock! Thanking everyone staff and customers who have supported us over the years. Its now time to evolve.

Tonight and tomorrow night are our last nights serving our current menu.
From Wednesday, while we renovate and recreate our main kitchen, we will be doing Pizzas only (Tuesday to Saturday .... closed Sunday and Monday) for a couple weeks.

Bar Open from 4pm, closes 8pm (unless a function is on). We will be expanding our mocktail menus and opening the balcony upstairs for a space for our non drinking community.

We will be hosting "kitchen pop-up nights" which will change week to week. This may look like a Grill night (steaks, BBQ, etc with 2 amazing salads, etc). It may also include night like: Chinese Take away.

We also have rooms for hire, if needing to host meetings, workshops, etc.

We have accommodation too, 11 rooms with a kitchen and shared facilities (3 bathrooms).

As this develops, we will keep you updated.

Any queries please email : [email protected]

09/11/2026

Mining Monday this week shows a different aspect to mining.

So often we think of mining as big machines, dirt and dust. There are so many aspects of a mine site that are unseen like today's photo.

08/11/2026

From where it all began.

The map showing where the Railway station was in 1898 with the town lots of North Greenbushes.

The station building is progressing to interior design fit out at the moment and we are excited to see what it all looks like!

We will post more regular updates about the Station now things are moving along so fast.

South-West Rail and Heritage Centre

07/11/2026

Time for a Mural Update

You will be seeing scaffolding and lots of work happening at the moment. Colour will be added to the train and we can't wait to see how this progresses. We will also be losing our verandah scaffolding as that job comes to a close as well.

So much happening - Greenbushes Community Resource Centre Greenbushes