Founded in 1924 by prominent scientists, our Club is the longest-running natural history organisation in Western Australia and one of the oldest in Australia. As a volunteer organisation, the Club has promoted natural history to the wider community. Over the past 100 years, many, many thousands of West Australians who came in contact with the Club were introduced to and revelled in their passion for our unique environment and biodiversity.
To mark the 100th anniversary of the Western Australian Naturalists’ Club, a number of events were organised for members—past and present—to come together to celebrate and reflect on a century of achievements. All the centenary events were designed to reflect the Club’s history and achievements.
1. Tomato Lake Revisited – 7 April 2024
Our centenary year commenced with a successful public event at Tomato Lake in Kewdale. It marked the launch of our centenary year and was the first of seven events to be held in 2024.
It was a sunny, warm day in April, and marquees were set up to display educational material on wetland biodiversity, the Snake-necked Turtle, and Club publicity. Club members conducted guided walks around the lake, which attracted much public interest. The Mayor of Belmont was a special guest at the event, along with five previous Club presidents who had led the Club over the past 50 years. Together, the presidents officially launched our centenary year! It was delightful to have many visitors and long-term senior members attend the event.
Tomato Lake was chosen as the venue because it also played a significant role in the Club’s Jubilee year in 1974. At this site 50 years ago, the Club achieved a huge win for the environment when it undertook a Weedathon, the massive job of clearing Salvinia from the lake, then known as Tomato Swamp, as its Jubilee conservation project.
One marquee was set up to show a film of Naturalists’ Club members manually cleaning out the Tomato Swamp in 1974. This historic film, made by the Committee for the Understanding of the Environment (CUE), shows a snapshot in time when the community came together to help restore the environment. The film is now in the possession of the State Library.
Today, Tomato Lake is an attraction to residents from many surrounding suburbs who enjoy the park around the lake for leisure activities. Turtles are thriving, and many species of waterbirds now call Tomato Lake home. The fact that it is a popular spot for wildlife photographers is a testament to our Club’s achievements and a marked change from 50 years ago!
2. 2024 Serventy Memorial Lecture – 17 April 2024
On this special occasion of our 100th year, it was indeed fitting to have one of our co-Patrons, Professor Lyn Beazley AO, FAA, FTSE, present a most interesting and comprehensive 2024 Serventy Memorial Lecture titled Four and a half billion years and counting: a West Australian portal into life on earth. Lyn discussed and illustrated many of the discoveries made in and/or by Western Australians, spanning from some of the oldest rocks in the world to the recent rediscovery of species thought to be extinct.
3. Centenary Luncheon Celebration – 13 July 2024
The date of the inaugural meeting of the WA Naturalists’ Club was 3rd July 1924. Our centenary luncheon was held one hundred years later on 13th July 2024. The third Centenary event for the year saw 100 members and guests gather at the University of Western Australia Club to enjoy a delicious meal and share in celebrating the Club’s 100th anniversary. Photos of club history were on display in the foyer as guests enjoyed pre-lunch drinks.
We had the honour of our co-patrons, Professor Lyn Beazley AO, FAA, FTSE, and Hon. Kerry Sanderson, AC, CVO, joining us for our centenary luncheon. In addition, we enjoyed the company of members of the Serventy family, Astrid Serventy, Julian, and Lesley Russell—the late Dom Serventy was a founding member of the Club.
Prof. Kevin Kenneally gave an account of the Club’s historical achievements, and representatives of the four branches presented the history of each branch. With a roaming microphone, members recounted stories of notable places and times of excursions and Club activities. Once again, it was delightful to see many long-term senior members attend, and it was a unique occasion when members from all four branches of the Club came together.
4. Re-enactment of the Club’s First Excursion – Leighton Beach –
4 August 2024
The Club’s first excursion was to Leighton Beach after a storm in late July 1924. The excursion leader was Ludwig Glauert, keeper of the biological collection at the WA Museum (he was promoted to museum’s Curator in 1927).
So, in early August 2024, a reenactment of the first excursion was held at the same place. Around seventy past and present members and visitors attended, and it was great to see about 20 people dressed in period costumes. We were fortunate to have eight descendants of Ludwig Glauert attend the event also.
The venue was the Fremantle Surf Life Saving Club where guests enjoyed a generous morning tea while viewing photographic displays outlining the history of Club excursions through the decades going back as far as 1950.
A short stroll to the beach is where our guides, Club members Jolanda Keeble, Diana Papenfus, Mike Gregson and Don Poynton, each took a group along the beach where they collected specimens. All the specimens sorted and laid out based on the taxonomic family at the surf club. The guides then gave short talks on some more interesting finds before Daniel Heald photographed the collection for posting on iNaturalist.
5. Dryandra Woodland National Park 9 – 11 October 2024
Our 100th-anniversary excursion was to Dryandra woodland in October 2024. Seventeen members and two visitors attended Dryandra Woodland, a favourite Club destination. Dryandra Woodland has been designated a national park in recent years.
Our leader for the two days was Kevin Coate, a legend amongst WA naturalists. He led us on guided walks, enjoying the wonderful display of spring wildflowers in full bloom and sharing his expert knowledge. On a slow 23km drive through the park, we saw our first Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) dash into a hollow log. A short time later, Kevin, in his lead vehicle, spotted another Numbat right by the road, foraging and apparently undisturbed by our presence. We all crept forward, holding our breaths, and were enchanted to see a lone adult who stayed and went about its business long enough for us all to get a good look and capture some images. It was a thrilling experience.
No trip to Dyandra is complete without a nocturnal visit to the protected enclosure at Barna Mia, where we saw one Bilby, one Mala, several Boodies, plus quite a few Woylies and Quendas. A local DBCA volunteer shared comprehensive information about the park, the enclosure and species.
6. Reunion of Intermediate and Junior Members of the 1970 – 1990s 9 November 2024
To celebrate the Club’s past activities, we held a reunion for those who were members of the Juniors or Intermediates sections during the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s. About 25 past and present Club members attended the reunion, which was held at the Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre in November.
In 1970, the Intermediate section of the Club was initiated to cater to the interests of young WA Naturalists’ Club members 14 to 18+ years of age. The section functioned for more than 20 years, and it was a unique time in the Club’s history. During the 1970s/1980s, groups of up to 20 or more Intermediates, with the assistance of a few senior members, enjoyed many weekend campouts, mainly in the southwest, which included adventures from canoeing to caving. In the early 1980s, the Intermediates organised two memorable long-range excursions to Dirk Hartog Island.
Kevin Kenneally AM (former Club President 1977-79) was a driving force behind the Junior section from the 1970s onwards. He addressed the group and recounted his time leading many excursions and campouts for them.
Attendees were asked to bring any photos of the Junior/Intermediate camps and excursions. The photos prompted memories of their youthful escapades and generated a positive, jovial mood as they reminisced as if transported back in time.
7. Government House Volunteers Afternoon Tea – 3 December 2024
Our last centenary event was a perfect ending to the year! Government House was the venue, and the weather was beautiful. 70 fellow members and enthusiasts from the Western Australian Naturalists’ Club are joined together to celebrate 100 years of achievements.
His Excellency the Honourable Christopher John Dawson AC APM, Governor, and Mrs Dawson, joined with our co-Patrons, Professor Lyn Beazley AO, FAA, FTSE, and Hon. Kerry Sanderson, AC, CVO, acknowledging the Club’s 100 years of voluntary work that has benefited generations of West Australians. Recognising the importance of the natural world to education, science, and research is as relevant today as it ever was. It is a fitting tribute to end our centenary year.
An elegant and delectable high tea, pink lemonade, and various teas or coffee were professionally served. At the same time, guests mingled, shared stories or experiences, and caught up with people they had not seen for many years. A mobile microphone was offered for guests to share their memories of their early years in the Club, up to the current times. In the impressive Supper Room, surrounded by images of previous State governors, the Club’s display of historic photos of excursions, people, and events was displayed.
For 100 years, the Club’s success has been due to the dedication and enthusiasm of members who volunteered their time, energy, and knowledge—the driving force behind the Club. Those present at Government House were duly awarded a Certificate of Recognition for their volunteer work.
Thank you to all past and present members who have contributed to the success of the Western Australian Naturalists’ Club.
Tanya Marwood, Don Poynton, Arlene Quinn, Helen Riley and Sylvia Tetlow