Presidential Pondering
Joint President David Rowell (P2) returned to the Chair for November.
“Remember, remember the 5th of November”, did anyone light any crackers?
This day in history:
- 1800 It became illegal for women in Paris to wear trousers without a permit
- 1872 The Mary Celeste sailed for Genoa, to be found abandoned four weeks later
- 1987 The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system opened.
Guest Speaker : Richard Offen - Heroes, Villains and Vagabonds.
He started out as an Engineer, having developed a love of History from listening to his father’s stories, growing in Kent UK.
After working in education for several years, Richard joined the staff of the UK National Trust (1989-2003)
After first visiting Perth in 2001, it was “love at first site” (weather, open space, greenery…). In 2005 he emigrated to WA and became Executive Director of newly-formed Heritage Perth
He retired in 2017, after 13 years with Heritage Perth. In retirement he writes, still takes walking tours of the city’s historic sites and is a popular lecturer on the subject. Richard also remains a regular broadcaster on both radio and television.
In his opening remarks, Richard noted he had set three alarms for this morning’s meeting ( reference to having slept in last time)… He also queried what Wayne M was doing so close to a Kangaroo??
His talk exploring some of the colourful figures from Western Australia’s past was inspired by the late broadcaster Russell “Rusty” Wolfe.
- Through detailed anecdotes and primary diary excerpts he narrated the emigrant hardships of Eliza (Elizabeth) Shaw and her family from 1829 onward.
- He outlined the origins and practices of Bushrangers in Western Australia with examples like James Lilley and the famed escape artist Moondyne Joe (Joseph Belytho Johns).
- He recounted the swindling, bigamy, piracy, and death of the notorious sea rogue Billy Hayes.
Eliza (Elizabeth) Shaw
Eliza was born 1791 in Newmarket, Suffolk. She married Captain William (Will) Shaw in 1813 during the Napoleonic Wars. After 1815, Will was pensioned off on full pay.
Enticed by exaggerated newspaper promotions of the Swan River Colony (Mediterranean climate, ample water, fertile land), they emigrated as free settlers, aiming for land grants valued roughly at £40 per acre. By their calculations, they expected almost 18,500 acres.
They departed Gravesend in 1829 with six children, two servants (a farm laborer and a 16-year-old nanny from a poorhouse) and livestock on a five-month voyage with doldrums and storms. Eliza noted, “the farm laborer took to drink and was impertinent, the young nanny was distracted by sailors…”
Eliza’s diary paints a picture of despair after their arrival. They were awarded just under 4,000 acres in the Upper Swan Valley, far less than expected. They built their homestead (still standing today), pronounced “Belvoir”. Two sons drowned, weakening Will’s resolve but Eliza persevered.
Will died of diptheria in 1875 and Eliza was forced to reluctantly sell Belvoir. She moved to Geraldton to live with a daughter, dying in 1877 at the age of 84.
Bushrangers
Initially referred to runaway convicts adept at surviving in the bush it later came to mean those renouncing social rights to commit “robbery under arms” while hiding in bushland.
Common targets included travelers on the York Road and isolated homesteads for guns, food, and horses.
James Lilley (1860s) was an Irish convict known for selecting only the best horses and demanded provisions from isolated houses.
Moondyne Joe (Joseph Belytho Johns): WA’s Iconic Escapee
Born in Barry, Wales, near Cardiff (also birthplace of Julia Gillard).
He was convicted of theft and transported to WA in 1853 for a 10-year sentence, being conditionally pardoned after two years.
Arrested for suspected horse theft and other charges, he was jailed in Toodyay but escaped.
He repeatedly escaped from multiple WA jails, retreating to the Moondyne Hills near Toodyay as his hideout—earning a Houdini-like reputation.
Authorities built an “escape-proof” cell in Fremantle Prison. He did not escape from this cell, dying in 1901. His gravestone in Fremantle Cemetary bears the Welsh word “Rhyddid” meaning “freedom,” an ironic tribute given his life’s theme.
Billy Hayes
Hayes, owner-captain of the brig
He converted the C.W. Bradley to carry passengers transporting about 100 people to Adelaide. Upon return, news of Singapore fraud reached WA, however he talked his way out and undertook another passenger voyage to Adelaide.
The C.W. Bradley was seized and sold in Adelaide. Hayes evaded serious consequences, acquired another ship, and continued piratical activities for roughly 20 years.
Near the Marshall Islands, he quarreled with the ship’s cook “Dutch Pete,” who shot or struck him with an iron railing and threw him overboard.
Reaction was celebratory; “Dutch Pete” was carried shoulder-high along the street, reflecting Hayes’s widespread unpopularity among seafarers.
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements
- Ian K No breakfast meeting on 21st November. “Breakfast with Rivals” at Camfield Hotel in support of Jodi Lee Foundation. Tickets ($40pp) can be purchased through Terminal after breakfast. Can bring unlimited guests.
- Gerry M International Dinner 8th November about 48 signed up. Mix of international foods, learn more about our international members. Names on clipboard for any more, please. OffTraq sourced about 80-100 surplus first aid kits from Hertz. Will find homes for similar to linen project.
- Raelene G Raised $4,750 for OffTraq, thanks to everyone for their support. As Medic, she was exhausted. There were more mechanical than human problems.
- Lorrie G Also survived OffTraq, her car is in the carpark, still needing cleaning…Unsure how much she raised, but thanks to everyone. At least $1,000 raised from bottles and cans.
- Wayne M 15 cars in OffTraq, four from Mill Point. John Mansfield & son-in-law, Wayne M & David R, Raelene, Lorrie. Good fun, approximately $40,000+ raised for the event.
- Rick S Speaker next week Andrew Hall CEO of Perth Inner City Youth Service. Please overwhelm him with food… If you are not cooking for the International Dinner, please share some Aussie fare.
- Gorby Finding out from Ian’s daughter about parking at Camfield. Upcoming Vocational visit at end of month to Bicycles for Humanity. Followed by lunch at Rose & Crown. Email coming, please reply to me directly - scroll down to Events.
- Mike C Bill Boekeman now in Osbourne Park Rehab Hospital. Having ups and downs, Specialists meeting this Thursday.
What a Fine(s) Mess You Got Into...
- Place-getters in the Melbourne cup - 1, 2 or 3, as a bet or in a sweep, cough up half your winnings
- All the losers who had unsuccessful bets or joined a sweep, only a $1 for you.
- Admirers of the fantastic ride of the jockey, another $.
- Those of you with Eastern States relatives necessitating the $1M advertising of our State’s GST 75% grant by our Premier and Treasurer.
- Picking up a kangaroo tick then finding two more, Wayne M is adding to the bucket!
Winner of Heads and Tails
Thanks to Lyn and Margaret Metcalf for their supply of grog.
Attendance
38 attendees in all, including guest speaker Richard Offen.
