Founder makes return to discuss research
The founder of the 43-year-old Esperance Museum Marjorie Barker returned to the town last week to carry out research for a new book she is writing about its history.
Mrs Barker was instrumental in establishing the Esperance Bay Historical Society museum in 1971.
The museum was initially housed in a cottage on Dempster Street that was owned by Colin Campbell before it was moved to its current location, the restored railway goods shed buildings on James Street.
Mrs Barker said it was the first time she had been back to Esperance in six years, and met with volunteers and museum staff.
One of the museum’s early achievements was acquiring a steam locomotive from Northam in 1976 for $2000 from the Western Australian Government Railways and saving it from becoming scrap metal.
Commenting on the region’s history, Mrs Barker said she was disappointed the old post office had been demolished in 1971 and a roof had not been built on the old telegraph station at Israelite Bay.
“One of the saddest things was the decision to pull down our post office, which was the original telegraph station that was connected to Fanny Cove and Eucla,” she said.
