Donnelly River Village Museum

A Special Little Place in the Forest...

Kangaroos languidly observe the surroundings in the picturesque Donnelly River Village while emus wander through the karris. Now a tranquil holiday destination, the village was established in the late 1940s for the workers at the Bunnings Bros. Mill which opened in 1950. Many of the workers and families were displaced persons from World War II, who were collected from the Fremantle Port and brought directly to Donnelly River. The State Housing Commission built the first 29 houses in 1950/51 with later houses built by the workers for their families, while huts on the other side of the mill housed single men. The two room school opened in 1953 to educate the children of the workers. The Museum is housed in one of the classrooms, and presents a fascinating insight into life in this isolated mill town. Photographs, stories, and memorabilia create a vivid picture. Though a lovely peaceful setting now, imagine what it would have been like when the air was full of the screech and roar of the mill saws and trains and the mill whistle managed the daily routine of the whole community.

Address:

The Old School
Cnr Andrew and Sears Road
Donnelly River WA 6258
Australia

Opening Hours

Open by calling the Donnelly River Village General Store on 08 9772 1308

Working in the mill was hot, dirty and dangerous work, and good safety practices were recognised with particular awards. A fitter at the mill earned this blanket, which was proudly embroidered as...

When the Mill Social Club, built by the workers, opened its doors in 1951, women were welcomed as members, unlike many similar clubs at the time which were exclusively for men. This open membership...

Tuning into the ABC Radio’s educational broadcast was a regular feature of primary school life in the 1950s. The artworks on the wall show more liveliness than the faces of these neatly dressed...

More South West collections

Visit three sites to take in this local collection.

Visit a place where graffiti from prisoners still exists on the old jail cell walls or take in the history of farming. The Gnowangerup Heritage Group collection is held over three sites, the old...

As you walk through this impressive private collection, listening to your hosts Kathryn and John Shapland talk about the story behind each item, you realise that this is a very special experience. An...

A wildflower collection, shearing and settler history and Noongar cultural display, all in one location.

A unique display of Noongar foods and medicines, a natural history display and home of the Ongerup Shears. The Ongerup & Needilup District Museum includes a botanical collection, farming, shearing and...

a unique collection of historical textiles

The Collection of Bridal Dresses and Historical Clothes is housed in a hall behind the historic buildings of the Wesley Church, the Church Hall and the Manse. Couples have been married here since 1863...

While you're in the area

Filter
Bridgetown Winery
Food and Drink
Bridgetown Winery
Bridgetown Winery delivers handcrafted, low intervention wines produced...
10891 Brockman Highway, Maranup, WA 6256
Serenity Gully
Accommodation
Serenity Gully
Guests will be wowed by the breathtaking views at this unique, five-star...
230 Polina Road, Kangaroo Gully, WA 6255
Holberry House
Accommodation
Holberry House
Holberry House is a unique guesthouse experience set on four acres of...
14 Grange Road, Nannup, WA 6275
Whimwood Estate Wines Cellar Door
Food and Drink
Whimwood Estate Wines Cellar Door
Whimwood Estate Wines is a vineyard and cellar door with award-winning...
2581 Balingup-Nannup Road, Nannup, WA 6275