By Heather Wade, 2021.
Library at the Old Town Hall opposite the War Memorial
The opening of the Yarloop Library on 1 September 1898 was quite an event and was celebrated with a concert and a Ball. Newspaper readers were told that ‘Everything has been provided for the comfort and convenience of members – book-case with glass doors, tables, chairs, fire-places, etc., quite up date.’[1]
In 1901 Henry Teasdale-Smith, by then the Member for Wellington in the Legislative Assembly and also the Manager for Millars in WA, asked the Colonial Treasurer for assistance of £20 for the Yarloop Library. He explained that the men had raised £60 by subscribing towards the project, while the timber company provided the room.[2]
The Library was at the Old Town Hall (also known as Millars’ Hall) which was situated opposite the War Memorial. It appears that the Library facility changed over time as it was described variously as ‘within the walls of the public hall’ in 1909,[3] in a large single room at the back of the Hall[4] and as a separate building at the back of the Old Town Hall.[5] John Alexander Laughton (known as Alex), a moulder at the Workshops, was the volunteer Librarian for many years. His portrait hung in the Display Library in the Workshops Complex, (see below).
Library at the Yarloop Town Hall on Station Street
The separate building at the back of the Old Town Hall had been the original Post Office and was owned by Millars.[6] It had served as a Library for many years and still contained books, but by 1953 had not functioned for several years.[7] Millars donated the building on condition that it was shifted to a site to be selected by the Harvey Road Board in the vicinity of the Town Hall in Station Street.[8] The Board moved the building but work was stopped when some people were unhappy with the position of the building on the block. However, when it was moved six feet back from the pavement, the problem was resolved.[9] Renovations were carried out with the asbestos sheeting replacing the old wooden boards and a coat of paint applied.[10] The newly sited, re-erected and renovated Library was to open on 30 March 1954. Over 800 books including 300 from the Harvey Library had been sorted, indexed and placed in the shelves. Opening times would be from 7 pm. to 9 pm. every Tuesday and Friday evening. Subscribers had the right to two books at a time. The Harvey Library committee was acknowledged for its valuable advice and assistance.[11]
The Library – the small white building to the left of the Hall – was the original Post Office. Back to Yarloop Celebrations, 2 September 1979. Photo: Harvey History Online Collection.
The Library was used until 1987 when a joint School and Community Library was opened in the School grounds. As the building was no longer required, it was moved to the Yarloop Workshops Complex where it became the Display Library accompanied by a photo of Alex Laughton who had been the volunteer Librarian for many years. The Workshops Complex, which included this building, was destroyed by the 2016 Bushfire.
Display Library at the Workshops. Photo: Harvey History Online Collection.
The writing on the framed photo reads: ‘The late Mr A Laughton, Presented by the Citizens of Yarloop.’ Photo: Harvey History Online Collection.
Joint School and Community Library at the School
The School needed a Library and Geoff Cattach was asked to become the President of the P&C and build the Library.[12] In March 1986 the Harvey Shire Council approved a joint School/Community Library for Yarloop. The cost was estimated at $25,000 and was to be shared between Council, Yarloop Parents & Citizens’ Association and the Education Department.[13] With a substantial donation from Alcoa, many community fundraisers and voluntary labour used where possible, the Library was built within the School grounds.[14] It was officially opened on 21 August 1987 by Cr John Sabourne, Shire of Harvey President and Barry Godley, Director of Operations at the Education Department.
Concrete being poured for footings; the helpers are Frank Anzellino, Barry Hunter and Craig Chennell.[15]
Yarloop Public Library, 2020. Photos taken by Heather Wade.
The plaque reads: This Library which was jointly funded by the Harvey Shire Council, Yarloop P. & C. and the Education Department was officially opened by Cr. John Sabourne, J.P. Shire President and Mr Barry Godley Director of Operations, Education Dept. on the 21st August 1987.
Kathy Camisa was appointed the first Library Clerk in 1987 and was followed by Gail Wickham, Cath Hunt, Deborah Tarry and Moira Denholm, who all served in the role in the first ten years.
By 1992 the School was using another room for its Library, thus leaving the original building solely in the hands of the Shire for use as a Community Library. The building survived the 2016 Bushfire and is still in use today as the Community Library.
Tenth Anniversary
In August 1997 the Library celebrated its 10th Anniversary. Some former librarians reminisced about the past, while current Librarian, Ruth Campbell- Hicks provided a glimpse into the future.
Kathy (Camisa) Kilgour – After much community fundraising and support a ‘shared’ library was constructed in the Yarloop Primary School grounds – one of the very few such libraries in WA … When the building was completed in early 1987, the Shire advertised for a library clerk. I applied for the position and was extremely honoured to be chosen as the first library clerk for the new Yarloop Library. It was a most exciting ad innovative time for the school, the Shire library services and the community.
Fondest memories of Frank Anzellino and the beautiful gardens he tended with such loving care. I spent many quiet times reading in a sunny spot in Frank’s garden. I always enjoyed the friendly chats with the lovely ladies I delivered books to at the Pensioner Flats.
Gail Wickham – I commenced work at the Yarloop Public Library in July 1989. The following three years proved to be most enjoyable.
It was during that time that we commenced bulk loans of books and tapes to the Yarloop Hospital on a monthly basis. This was a popular service, especially by those who were in hospital in permanent care.
On several occasions, cooking activities for Junior readers were held in the school staff room on Saturday mornings. Parents assisted, and after ‘cleaning up’, children were encouraged to borrow a book.
Deborah Tarry – I was lucky enough to be at the library for one year from 1994-1995. We managed to fit a lot into those twelve months, with multicultural displays, Australia Remembers exhibition and lots of competitions ad artwork from the students at the school, as well as lending out books!!
And from Ruth Campbell-Hicks, Principal Librarian – the role of small libraries is set to widen along with technological enhancements such as electronic mail, Internet, modem connection to Perth, CD Roms etc. Whilst this is unlikely to happen in the near future, it is essential that all libraries look forward, and plan to use the technology for the benefit of the readers.
Horror stories about the ‘death of the book’ can be disregarded. Books in their present format will be here for many years to come – hardbacks and paperbacks, large and normal print, magazines and journals. Your local library will continue to provide books, books and more books, with newer formats providing more choice but never replacing this most favoured format.[16]
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[1] Bunbury Herald, 30 August 1898.
[2] Southern Times, 20 August 1901.
[3] Western Mail, 13 March 1909.
[4] Geoff Fortune, Yarloop there was no better place, the history of a timber town, Interesting Publications, Mandurah, WA, 2003, p. 175.
[5] Geoff Fortune, unpublished notes, ‘Townscape Yarloop’.
[6] South Western Advertiser, 29 October 1953.
[7] Harvey Murray Times, 15 May 1953.
[8] South Western Advertiser, 24 September 1953.
[9] South Western Times, 29 October 1953.
[10] Ibid.
[11] South Western Advertiser, 25 March 1954.
[12] Conversation with Geoff Cattach, 9 April 2021.
[13] Harvey Reporter, ‘The 1980s … as we saw it’, 3 January 1990, p. 12.
[14] Conversation with Geoff Cattach, 2020.
[15] ‘Construction of Yarloop Library 1987’ file at Yarloop Library.
[16] Ibid.