OVER 400 people faced a cold morning to attend this year’s Dawn Service at Toodyay’s Anzac Memorial Park.
Local violinist Rupert Guenther played the Last Post as cadets lowered flags to half-mast.
The Anzac Dedication was read by Toodyay RSL President Max Howard.
Robyn Taylor, Vice President
Toodyay Historical Society Inc
Knockdominie cottage, c.1838. Photo:W&D Clarke
IN LAST month’s column brief reference was made to Rica Erickson’s draft history on Toodyay’s Resident Magistrates, the first being Captain Francis Whitfield who was appointed in 1838, although the year 1839 is also given.
The following is based on Rica’s draft, her book ‘Old Toodyay & Newcastle’ and other sources.
To recap, Captain Whitfield was a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars and had retired to Ireland with his family.
by Clive Millett
I WOULD like to pay tribute to my greatgrandfather, Jack Millett, who served with the 2nd/11th battalion from 1941 to 1945.
During his time in WA prior to the war, Jack had joined the army reserve.
This meant he was an officer by the time he joined his unit in North Africa and went to battle in Italian-occupied Libya and Tobruk.
The battalion was then sent to Greece, where they were pursued relentlessly by German troops, until they were forced to evacuate to the island of Crete.
Toodyay Football Club May 2024 Update
by Patrick Thompson
THE SEASON opener for the Toodyay Football Club was a success with both league and reserves recording two wins from two games.
First up was an away match to Dalwallinu on April 13.
The reserves match was a see-sawing affair with both sides kicking a run of goals as momentum swung.
AT LAST month’s council meeting elected members voted on adopting the Shire of Toodyay Cat Local Law 2024. The officer’s recommendation was that council adopt the law the purpose of which is to improve the permit conditions, definitions of nuisance behaviour, modification of penalties, and to continue to provide the Shire of Toodyay with measures in addition to those under the Cat Act 2011 to control the keeping of cats.
The matter was debated with Cr Madacsi proposing an alternate motion that the item be deferred because due to other pressing matters the local laws had not been given enough attention.
The officers recommendation was not supported and Cr Madacsi’s alternate motion was endorsed,7-0.
THE BLACK Dog Ride ‘One-Dayer’ is an annual one-day motorcycle ride held in more than 50 communities across Australia on Sunday 17 March 2024.
The local One-Dayer is called the Avon Valley Black Dog Ride and saw 71 riders meet at the Mount Helena Tavern before departing for a leisurely meander through valley back roads.
After a brief leg stretch at the Grass Valley Tavern the two-and-a-half-hour ride finished in Toodyay – with the total ride distance being 160km.
Riders, support crew, locals and dignitaries including State Opposition Leader and local MP, Shane Love, then enjoyed an afternoon of chat and camaraderie for a lunch, cooked by Toodyay Locals Care, and post ride refreshments at the Toodyay Club.
The Avon Valley One-Dayer, after a pause for a few years, has been back and running
Black Dog One-Dayer roars through Avon Valley since 2020.
Local ride coordinator, Wes Sutton, said, “After I signed up for the One-Dayer in 2018 and discovered the Avon Valley ride wasn’t operating, I attended the Baldivis ride for a couple of years as it was the only ride out of Perth at the time.
“Recognising the need for a ride to accommodate those living in the eastern and northern suburbs, I approached Black Dog Ride and took on the role of Avon Valley coordinator.”
THE CASE alleging the Shire of Toodyay has breached the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 was adjourned last month.
The matter is now listed for May 6 at the Northam Magistrates Court. This is the second time the case has been adjourned, the original listing being February 26.
The shire case relates to contracted works done in early 2023 to repair crossings on Toodyay Brook at Picnic Hill and Glendearg Road, as well as the Boyagerring Brook
crossing near the Toodyay District High School.
The shire faces a fine of $50,000 if the allegations are proven.
SHIRE of Toodyay council in a special meeting in chambers on March 13 voted on a resolution to appoint a temporary CEO.
The unanimous decision by council was to appoint Tabitha Bateman, Executive Manager Corporate and Community Services, as Acting CEO until a permanent CEO is recruited.
Council minutes from the meeting state the “recruitment process for a CEO will take some time” – hence Ms Bateman’s appointment.
The current CEO, Suzie Haslehurst, commenced sick leave on the February 21 and leaves her role on April 9. Her departure is to be by Deed of Release with the agreed settlement amount being undisclosed.
SHIRE of Toodyay CEO, Suzie Haslehurst, will be leaving her role on April 9 – almost three months before her contract was to expire.
This early exit follows her commencing sick leave on February 21.
Ms Haslehurst states she will not be returning to her CEO role and added that “it’s been a challenging and rewarding time at the Shire”.
While absent from her CEO duties, she remains employed by the shire and an Acting CEO will be nominated from the executive management team.
THE NEWCASTLE Park parkrun celebrated its first birthday last month.
The birthday event was celebrated by 54 participants and six volunteers.
Parkrun director Shuba Johns welcomed all participants and said that parkrun is all about community and was a good way to meet people and families new to the local area.
