City of Karratha Local History Archives Overview

City of Karratha Local History Archives

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Karratha's local history

Located in the stunning Red Earth Arts Precinct built in 2018 that incorporates a public library, a dual-purpose theatre/cinema,rehearsal spaces and exhibition areas, the City of Karratha Local History Archives documents the history of the towns of Karratha, Dampier, Wickham, Roebourne, Point Samson, and Cossack. It follows the transformation of the region through the pastoral, pearling and mining booms. Despite its relative youth (Karratha was only established as a town in 1996 by Hamersley Iron), this rich collection of photographs, documents and files, well-provenanced and catalogued, is a stand-out , and is accessible for all who are interested in the region’s history. The local history staff provide a research and reference service for this history and will assist with family history enquiries.

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View Collection at Collections WA

Address:

Red Earth Arts Precinct
27 Welcome Road
Karratha WA 6714
Australia

Tel:

(08) 9186 8660

Email:

local.history@karratha.wa.gov.au

Opening Hours

Mon, Wed & Friday 9am - 5pm; Tues & Thurs 9am - 6pm; Sat 9am - 2pm

Miss Ollis Northern Public Opinion Remnant

Courageous costume

This remnant square of fabric was part of a fancy dress outfit created by Miss Clare Sophia Ollis in 1900 when she attended a ball held to raise money for the Rectory Fund in Roebourne. Titled...

Red Dog file

A loyal friend

It is not only people that have made this region famous. The enigmatic Red Dog, now the subject of Louis de Bernières' book and a subsequent feature film, claimed his place in history as he hitchhiked...

Asian dolls

Cultural gifts

For a time, it became a tradition of Asian shipping companies to gift dolls and other traditionals terms to Australian resource industry executives and their spouses. In a climate of regular...

Wharfinger House Museum

Muddy waters

Situated on the edge of the Derby marsh, surrounded by the iconic boab trees of this region, stands the Wharfinger House Museum. Built in the 1920s, it is situated in the former home of the manager of...

Waringarri Aboriginal Arts

One big mob altogether so that our grandchildren’s, children’s children will know their culture.

The artists say, ‘This place - it’s a good art centre!’ And it is. In the heart of Miriwoong country the Centre is focused on maintaining and passing on culture through dance, story and painting to...

Onslow Visitors Centre and Goodshed Museum

Cyclone city survives

For dedicated lovers of ‘old things’, the Onslow Goodshed Museum is a treat not to be missed when travelling the west coast. The Museum documents the history of Onslow and its well-deserved reputation...

Ganalili Centre and Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation

Ganalili - A Place of New Beginnings

Ganalili is the Yindjibarndi word for the light in the morning before the rising of the sun. Living up to its name of new beginnings, the centre is set in Roebourne’s old Victoria Hotel, a site of...