Harvey Historical Society Exhibition

Head to the Harvey Town Hall to experience a little piece of local history.

This year, the Harvey Historical Society proudly presents the Fattorini Photo Collection – a remarkable glimpse into life in the Harvey district at the turn of the 20th century.

The exhibition features photographs taken between 1898 and 1910, capturing mills and mill workers, timber fellers, horse and bullock teams, schools, homes and huts, community groups, local families, and everyday life and events across the region.

The photo thumbnail shown here is a favourite photo known as “A Girl in a Basin.” She is likely the child of a bush timber cutter or loader. In those days, many men took their families with them, living in tents and moving from site to site as work required — loading up wagons or even riding the locomotives to the next mill or bush camp.

About the photographer

Charles Fattorini arrived in the area around 1898. A photographer and journalist, he also undertook occasional mill work. He later worked at Worsley and Greenbushes, and for a short time became editor of the Bunbury Herald. He eventually moved to Gooseberry Hill before retiring to Mandurah, where he passed away in 1938. His biography will be available to read at the display.

Entry is by donation, with contributions gratefully received by the Society via cash or electronic transfer.

This exhibition forms part of the Harvey Harvest Festival.