State Records Office of Western Australia

Monday 1st June is the Western Australia Day public holiday. WA Day is a state holiday that has traditionally been held on the first Monday in June, providing a focal point for encouraging participation in a wide range of activities and events that celebrate the Western Australian spirit and our many achievements. The State Records Office holds archives about the beginnings of British settlement in WA, one of them attached (cons52 item20) showing the first appointments of government officials in WA dated 8 June 1829. SRO manages State Archives safeguarding and making accessible the memory of government in WA.

Being a public holiday the SRO will be closed on Monday 1st June 2026, although you can still search our online catalogue and order files for viewing or digitisation.

The following guest post has been prepared by Shona Coyne (Menang curator) and Tiffany Shellam (non-Indigenous historian). Shona and Tiffany visited the State Records Office earlier this year as part of their research. Our thanks to the both of them in preparing this post.


EARLY PRESERVED WRITING BY MENANG NOONGAR GIRLS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

‘Love your enemies’, and ‘Be kind to one another’. These short, repeated phrases are amongst the earliest preserved writing by Aboriginal people in Western Australia. They were carefully written in 1854 by two Menang Noongar children, Rhoda Tanatan aged ten, and her close friend Rachel Wardekan, aged eight. Written line by line with the focus of a beginners hand the phrases carry the weight of Christian instruction and moral expectation placed on these young Menang children in a colonial institution.

With the help of State Records Office staff, we found these pages in the State Archives Collection, hidden within a report by Rev. Wollaston to Governor Fitzgerald, written in December 1854. Wollaston was providing an update on the progress of the Albany Native School, which would become known as Annesfield. As evidence of the school’s progress in ‘civilising’ Menang children, Wollaston included these pages as ‘specimen[s] of the children’s writing’ for the Governor's perusal, while samples of their needlework were forwarded to the Governor’s wife.

Literacy was an important goal of Annesfield. It also became an increasingly vital tool for communication for Noongar children to protest and voice their rights. An earlier ‘Native School’ in Albany, run by John McKail between 1843-45, had also focused on literacy. One young Menang student, Yarnel, wrote a letter to the Government Resident, John Randall Phillips, on behalf of his brother who was in the Albany gaol. We have not located Yarnel’s letter in the archive, but its once existence is significant. We wonder what words young Yarnel wrote in 1843. Did his newly obtained literacy have the power to help his imprisoned brother? Such examples of early writing join the heavy legacies of other literate Noongar children, such as Yued Noongar boys, Conaci and Dirimera, who wrote letters to Rosendo Salvado at New Norcia Aboriginal mission in 1850.

Archives can hold distressing stories which more often reveal the punitive nature of the colonial regime rather than the voices of those who were oppressed by it. But these archival discoveries might also be read as evidence to the contrary; they made us resolute to explore Rhoda and Rachel's lives further. Some of these stories feature in Kalyagul: Connections to Menang Country an exhibition that we co-curated with the Western Australian Museum (Museum of the Great Southern, Albany, opening 4 July 2026 to 21 February 2027) which elevate Menang histories and knowledge of their Country through collections.

During our research for Kalyagul, we noticed a pattern of absence in archival and museum records; few historical collections relate to Menang Noongar women and girls. However, Rhoda is an exception to this pattern. She wrote letters to colonists, some of which were published in newspapers in 1857 and 1858. We also came across a portrait of Rhoda, aged fourteen years old. Thomas Baines, artist and storekeeper on Augustus Charles Gregory’s North Australian Expedition (1855-57), painted Rhoda's portrait in March 1857. A prolific painter, Baines produced extensive and rich visual records of the expedition. Albany was a regular port of call between the west and east coasts and the North Australian Expedition’s ship Messenger, anchored at King George’s Sound for three days in March 1857 on its way to Sydney.

At the right-hand bottom corner of the portrait of Rhoda, shown in this post, between guiding lines, the name “Rhoda Tanatan” is written in pencil. Both her colonised name – Rhoda – and Menang name – Tanatan – are capitalised, and the letters linked together in looping copper plate script . What did Rhoda make of this portrait? Perhaps she took the chance to take ownership of the young girl on the page, carefully writing her name in pencil. The artist made it clear that he was impressed, writing directly onto the portrait: ‘the name written by the girl herself’. Thomas Baines was the artist. But it was Rhoda Tanatan who wrote herself in.

By writing her own name on the page, we can connect this painting to the girl, aged just ten, who repeatedly inscribed the words 'Love your enemies', and to the teenager who wrote letters to colonists, and the young woman who married John Williams, a ticket-of-leave man in 1858.

In Kalyagul we elevate the story of Menang women and girls such as Rhoda Tanatan and Rachel Wardekan. In raising their experience from the archive, Shona Coyne, a Menang woman and curator at the National Museum of Australia, brings a contemporary Menang perspective to bear on these records. Working with Tiffany Shellam, a historian at Deakin University with Scottish ancestry, and Amanda Lourie, a historian with Scottish, English and German ancestry, together we critically engage with the representation of Menang women in the archive, to make visible the ways in which girls like Rhoda, wrote themselves in.

- Shona Coyne and Tiffany Shellam.

To read more about Rhoda Tanatan's story, see Coyne, S., Lourie, A. and Shellam, T, ‘Writing Her Way In: Reclaiming Menang Yorga, Rhoda Tanatan’, Malcolm Traill and Harry Freemantle (eds), A Gift of Truth-Telling: Notes on the bicentenary of Albany, Studies in Western Australian History, vol.38, May 2026.

https://www.albany2026.com.au/events/kalyagul-connections-to-menang-country

Deakin University - Arts and Education
National Museum of Australia
WA Museum Boola Bardip
The City of Albany
Museum of the Great Southern

It's National Volunteer Week and behind every preserved record is a person giving their time, skills and heart. 📜💛
This National Volunteer Week, the State Records Office is celebrating the volunteers who help bring Western Australia’s history to life.
From cataloguing historic collections to contributing technical expertise, the SRO's volunteers - David Whiteford, David Jones and Lana Badenko - play a vital role in preserving stories for generations to come. 🗂️
Whether it’s staying connected after retirement, sharing specialist skills or giving back to the community, their contributions make a real difference.
🔗 You can learn more about their stories here: https://www.cits.wa.gov.au/department/news/news-article/2026/05/19/national-volunteer-week

National Volunteer Week It’s your year to volunteer!

100 years ago Inspector John Walsh and Sergeant Alexander Pitman, members of the gold stealing section of the Criminal Investigation Department in Kalgoorlie, disappeared. (WARNING - DISTURBING DETAILS FOLLOW). Seen leaving Kalgoorlie on bicycles to investigate a case on the evening of 27 April 1926, by early May there were grave concerns about their welfare and speculation that they had met with foul play. On 12 May their burnt and dismembered remains were found dumped down a disused mine shaft at a place called Millers Find south of Boulder. Their murder caused a sensation, being reported around Australia, and as reported in the newspaper at the time "a doom was cast" over WA. The funeral for the two officers was held in Perth on 17 May 1926 and the procession was watched by thousands and attended by a large number of police officers. In early June two men, Phillip Treffene and Evan Clarke, were charged with murder followed by another man, William Coulter, a little later. Clarke turned King’s evidence, swearing he had only assisted in disposing of the corpses. Coulter and Treffene were tried for murder and hanged in October 1926. The records of the police investigation, the Supreme Court trial (cons3473 568_ case5620/21), Crown Law Indictment files, the ex*****on notice and other related records are held as State Archives, some of these files being the largest in the collection.

ANZACs in the Archives

ANZAC Day approaches and it's time highlight ANZAC-related archives in our collection.

One of our largest collections involves Soldier’s Wills, which were transferred to the SRO from the Supreme Court. These records, which sometimes include handwritten wills by WW1 soldiers before going into battle, give us insight into these soldier's lives. It was a tragic but essential task: young WWI soldiers assigning the little they had to their families and loved ones at home.

One of the wills in our collection is that of John Simpson (Kirkpatrick), of 'Simpson and his Donkey' fame, after he transported wounded soldiers to safety on the back of his donkey from the frontline at Gallipoli in 1915.

In Simpson’s will he writes, "In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my mother Sarah Simpson,". The probate file found with the will revealed his personal estate was worth 37 pounds and 13 shillings which is equivalent to about $4,500 today.

We hold over 3,600 wills of military personnel who died during this conflict, and you can search for John Simpson's will and for other wills of soldiers online via our catalogue: https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/simpson-1916-221

ELIJAH MAKES HIS MARK AT SRO

At the State Records Office, we have for many decades hosted placements for students enrolled in archives and information management studies.

Student placements are a fantastic opportunity for students to ‘learn the ropes’ and see how we help preserve the history of government in WA. They are also a great way for us to learn from the ideas and perspectives of the students. The placements also provide our office an opportunity to support the archives and records profession, as most students will embark on careers in this field.

This year, we hosted Curtin University student Elijah Petersen for a three-week practicum placement as part of his Masters degree in Information Science.

Elijah worked on two main projects during his time with us: processing, cataloguing and digitising a small photographic collection; as well as assisting with our collection of retention and disposal authorities. Elijah also brought a fresh perspective to our social media planning, which we are looking forward to building upon in the future.

It was a pleasure to have Elijah on board, and he showed great initiative and enthusiasm during his time at SRO. Thank you Elijah for being part of the SRO team during your placement.

WA’S SECOND STATE ARCHIVIST TURNS 100

The State Records Office and State Records Commission recently joined the Friends of Battye Library and the State Library to celebrate the 100th birthday of Western Australia’s second State Archivist, Ms Margaret Medcalf OAM. Margaret turns 100 today. Happy birthday Margaret!

Ms Medcalf was the second State Archivist for WA, serving in this role for 18 years between 1971 and 1989; and played a critical role in the development of the State archives collection for Western Australia.

An innovator throughout her career, Ms Medcalf established the WA Oral History Project in 1974 to record living history and add “a warmth to the recording of our history”.

Ms Medcalf retired as State Archivist in early 1989 and has had a very active retirement, serving as the President of the Royal WA Historical Society, a founding member of the local chapter of the Zonta Club in Perth, and the Patron of the Friends of Battye Library.

The Friends of Battye Library and State Library joined the State Records Office and State Records Commission earlier this month to celebrate Ms Medcalf’s remarkable milestone.

The State Records Commission and State Records Office continue to recognise Margaret’s extraordinary contribution to preserving and improving access to WA history through the annual Margaret Medcalf Award for excellence in research using the State archives.

The 2026 winner of this unique and very special award will be announced in October.

THE CONVICT PASS

We at State Records are always grateful when researchers bring to our attention interesting items that they have found when using State archives. This week, a very big thanks to Dr Caroline Ingram who came across this convict pass when using early Albany Plaint files from the 1860s. We have never come across a convict pass before.

Convict passes were issued to a convict to carry on his person as proof he was allowed to travel from one place to another. It is possible this is the only surviving example of a convict pass. In this instance, it seems that convict James Kelly (a former soldier who was court martialed and transported to Western Australia for firing a weapon at his superior officer) did not return to the Albany Prison Depot when he was supposed to and was apprehended 3 days later.

Caroline says that the Albany plaint files are an underutilised resource and we would have to agree. These Plaints record many thousands of people charged at the Albany Local Court for the period 1834-1901. A "Plaint" is an official legal complaint against someone, often issued by a Police Constable.

What unusual items have you found in archival collections?

Ref: SROWA, https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/plaints-local-court-s1686

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Margaret Medcalf Award for excellence in research using State Archives.

The Margaret Medcalf Award recognises excellence in research and referencing of State Archives preserved and made accessible by the State Records Office of Western Australia. The Award honours Miss Margaret Medcalf OAM, Western Australia’s second State Archivist, for her landmark contribution to the development of the State archives collection in Western Australia.

The winner of this Award receives a cash prize of $1,000 or shares this prize if there is more than one winner. Works nominated must demonstrate the use and accurate referencing of State Archives.

This year any work completed or published in 2025 is eligible to be submitted for nomination, and anyone, including the author of the work, may submit a nomination.

For more details see our webpage:

https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/nominations-are-called-the-2026-margaret-medcalf-award

https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/uploads/r/srowa/c/a/cad8196c9d07ffdd88bb969a3c08692caf3315419c82b4f884652f7c0a145729/Cons3868_Item_005.jpg

Part 2: MORE LIVING IN THE 80'S

Some more 1980's images for your enjoyment from the extensive collection of Tourism Commission photos that our office plans to digitise this year.