Toodyay Herald

Sean Hefferon
THE 2025 Anzac Days services in Toodyay attracted large crowds that honoured Australian servicemen and women who served and continue to serve in conflict, peacekeeping missions and disaster relief.

At least 300 people attended what was a chilly Anzac Day dawn service to pay their respects to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Gathered at Toodyay’s Anzac Memorial Park, the solemn ceremony included the Roll of Honour read by Max Howard and Bob Wood with the Ode recited by Toodyay RSL President Geoff Brown.

The crowd stood united in silence and reflection as The Last Post was played – even the chattering of birds became muted.

After the minutes silence Monika Williams sang the New Zealand national anthem followed by Vicki Hagerty singing the Australian anthem.

As the service closed many in the crowd approached and stood silently at the Anzac War Memorial in a moment of private contemplation.

Many service attendees then headed to the Wicklow Shearing Shed for a traditional Gunfire breakfast.

A few hours later the Anzac Parade, that started at 10.30am from outside Memorial Hall, saw marchers accompanied by an ever-growing crowd of people, as all made their way to the Main Service at Anzac Memorial Park.

The service commencing at 10.45am included a flyover from a Royal Australian Air Force jet.

In a particularly poignant moment in the service Toodyay resident Garry Nelmes shared his family story about the Anzac experience.

Garry is the grandson of WW1 Anzac George John McLennan and the son of a WWII Anzac Noel Standley Nelmes.

“Today I will be sharing for the first time information from my grandfather’s journal of his battle experiences on the western front during WWI and in particular one of the many battles to capture the strategic village of Passchendaele in Belgium.

I am doing so to honour his memory.

George John McLennan was born in 1888 and enlisted on the 30th of August 1916 and was assigned to the 5th reinforcement 36th battalion Australian Imperial Force.

Passchendaele, over a 5-month period saw both sides experience some of the most horrific fighting in WWI with total losses estimated at half a million soldiers.

Australian casualties numbered 38,000.

What a glorious sunny day it is today, now imagine it’s the early hours of the 12th of October 1917 on the western front in Belgium, its late autumn its freezing cold and it’s raining and you can barely walk in the thick mud and the 36th battalion is preparing for a 2nd assault on the village of Passchendaele.

This was hoped to be the final assault on the village of Passchendaele, however it resulted in a withdrawal and it wasn’t until the third assault that the Germans were pushed back.

Thus the 2nd battle for Passchendaele was over and amongst the troops it was renamed ‘Slaughter’.

George has been badly wounded in the battle and was thought to be dead, but a fellow soldier thought otherwise and ventured back onto the battlefield and dragged my grandfather to safety, and this is the only reason I am standing here today.

My grandfather did partially recover from his (GSW) gunshot wound and shrapnel wounds and returned home to Australia and was discharged in august 1919.

I am sure he suffered mental scars and as a lad of 12 years of age, I do remember well seeing the physical scars as my mother, his daughter dressed his wounds daily from shrapnel imbedded in his legs, shrapnel that could not be removed and pain he endured till his death in 1967.

The twist to this story is that the soldier (fellow ANZAC) that saved his life unbeknown to my grandfather was a farmer from New South Wales and lived near the small community of Wallabadah some 200km from where my grandfather lived but only 10km from where I was born and grew up.

My grandfather never forgot this soldier’s bravery who saved his life and for decades endeavoured to locate him but records were difficult to locate and much was lost in the fog of war.

Once my grandfather finally found out his location, he promptly visited Wallabadah to thank this Anzac for saving his life but sadly this soldier had passed away.

My grandfather did visit his grave to pay his respect and thanks for rescuing him from the battlefield.

This ladies and gentlemen is the true meaning of the Anzac spirit and mateship.
Lest we forget.”

Sean Hefferon
BLACK Dog Ride’s mascot is “Winston” named after none other than Sir Winston Churchill who wrote about being hounded by the “black dog of depression”.

Winston saddles up on a motorbike (or at least the handlebars) on the third Sunday of March each year for the Black Dog Ride Australia “1 Dayer” that sees motor bike
rides in every state and territory across the country.

And so it was that another successful Avon Valley Black Dog Ride was completed last
month when over 70 motor bikers rolled up to the Toodyay Hotel after a 130km bike ride
full of twists and turns from Kalamunda.

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Rashelle Predovnik
TOODYAY is experiencing a housing boom like never before, with property prices soaring in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Known for its stunning views, spacious blocks, and incredible value for money, this once-hidden gem is now firmly on the radar – and just over an hour’s drive from the Perth CBD.

In the past two years, the area has seen an explosive housing market growth rate of 55.88 per cent making it one of the region’s hottest spots for homebuyers.

The median house price surged from $255,000 in 2020 to $530,000 in 2025, with some hitting the $800,000 bracket as more buyers flock to this sought-after destination.

Former real estate business owner Tony Maddox first came to Toodyay in 1990 when it was a quiet little farming town.

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Toodyay Football Club
Patrick Thompson
THE MORTLOCK Football and Netball seasons get underway on April 13 with the first match on April away to Gingin.

Then after Easter we have our first home match on April 27 vs Calingiri.

It’s a new look football and netball lineup from previous years with a steady influx of new players joining the club over preseason.

We welcome experienced football coach Russell ‘Bomber’ Thompson who has made an immediate impact around the club.

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THE LOCAL Toodyay Bakery invariably rises to the occasion when it comes to staff training as apprentice baker Jono Yates steps up for more awards taking out the gold medal for baking in the recent World Skills competition.

He also came out on top in the WA state round for the Baking Association of Australia’s Excellence in Baking Awards for the second year in a row.

This means he will be representing WA in upcoming national competitions in the above awards, jetting across to Brisbane and Sydney in a few months.

Jono said that competing in the competitions will expose him to new areas of the baking industry as well as provide the opportunity to mentor and network with other bakers around Australia.

If he snares the nationals then international competitions may be the next step so he may have to get that passport dusted off.

Jason Marion, Toodyay Bakery owner, is more than chuffed.
“I’m excited to see what Jonathan can achieve in the future as he has a real passion for his craft.”

Adding that he doesn’t have to do much to motivate him as he sees the opportunities in the baking industry.

Baking success is clearly more than just water, yeast and self-raising flour.

As Jason said, he provides the guidance for Jono and it’s “his hard work that has got him the recognition as one of the best apprentices in Australia.”

 

 

The ‘Worst Pace Scenario’ team. Front row: Tony and Rose Murfit, Dani Xuereb. Back row: Kelly-Anne Murray and Emma Thompson.
Saturday February 22 saw three teams swim 788 laps at the Toodyay public swimming pool. Elsewhere in town more than 30 participants
completed the Newcastle Park parkrun. Stirling Terrace was busy with visitors and locals alike. Photo: P.Thompson.

 

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Last month’s Toodyay Shire ordinary council meeting saw a full public gallery.

The meeting now at the new time of5.30pm saw a number of questions from the gallery.

Including a question from Hamish Dobie, a Toodyay resident who asked about the future
of the local library and whether it is safe in the long term.

He prefaced his question by saying that it follows on from rumours in the community
about the library’s closure.

Shire President Cr McKeown said, reading from prepared notes, that council has no
plans to close the library, council has not discussed closing the library nor have
councillors discussed closing the library.

“The Shire doesn’t have any control about misinformation circulating on Facebook
and the rumours are untrue”, he said.

He added that the Shire budget for this year includes expenditure for $25,000 for
drainage, brickwork repairs and painting of the library building.

Cr McKeown said the Executive Manager of Economic Development and Community
Services is actively working on expanding the services provided by the Toodyay library.

Charlie Wroth, local farmer and former Shire President, asked a series of questions
about the roadworks on the Toodyay Bindi Bindi Road, or Bolgart Rd as it is known.

Mr Wroth said the road was virtually ready for sealing in early November as he was
carting grain on it at the time, but in what he believes was an issue with the bituminising,
tender work was halted.

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Julimar Conservation and Forest Alliance
Lynn Phillip

IN THE last two years, at the Environment Matters marquee at the Toodyay Agricultural Show, we have had the wonderful opportunity to talk with our younger generations and hear what they perceive is happening in our natural environment.

Importantly they gave us their perspective of what we should be doing about it.
Since these young people are the ones who will inherit what we leave behind, for better or for worse, it is fitting that we listen to what they have to say.

While engaging with the youngsters, whose ages ranged from 6 months (with much input from Mum) to young teens, it seemed to us that they are more alert to what is happening in our natural world than many adults.

That includes, dare I say it, those in our governments of all levels and persuasions.
One day they will be voters so look out!

In 2023, when asked why they think forests are important, the children gave us some great responses which they wrote on colourful cardboard leaves.

They then illustrated the leaves and hung them on our message tree.

Here are some examples of the children’s contributions:
“The trees give vital protection for animals and oxygen.
We need trees to breath and trees also give habitat to animals.
If we did not have trees we would die because they give us everything.

One response from a young teen stated:
“It’s 2023, we are already facing a global crisis of global warming and now the destruction of forests. We still need forest otherwise our ecosystem will suffer.”

In 2024, when we repeated the exercise and asked the children what they wanted to see in Julimar Forest as a National Park, they had an overwhelming desire to see:
“More native animals, wildflowers, places to camp, trails for bush walks, big healthy trees, mushrooms and fungi, lady birds and butterflies, snakes, bobtails and thorny devils.”
One heart felt message simply read “help me please save the forest”.

I think David Attenborough would be proud of our young people, I know I am.

But surely it is not up to our children to take on the burden of changing the world.

As we know, one Swedish teenager did just that, and very successfully I might add, but it is not something we would or should expect of our young people.

They should be able to trust their elders to provide a happy, healthy and safe place to grow up.

As adults, the responsibility lies fairly and squarely on our shoulders.

We are the ones who need to be making the difference, contacting our political representatives and pointing out to them the environmental and social problems.

We need to be telling them what we expect them to do about it.

What better time than the lead up to our State and Federal elections.

As we know, the opinions and actions of voters can be powerful so please Mums and Dads, make the push for a better future for our kids.

As a local organisation based in Toodyay, Julimar Conservation and Forest Alliance is working do just that.

JCAFA has been rallying public support with a movie night, information stalls and creating and submitting a public petition asking our state government to protect Julimar State Forest as a National Park.

Our band of conservation-minded members realises the intrinsic value of this vast local asset and is determined to save it from misuse and neglect.

Not only are we doing this for the sake of the forest and every living thing that depends on it for their very existence.

We are doing it to ensure a healthy future for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

By Alison Wroth & Karen Dore
AFTER the successful celebration of our 170th Anniversary Toodyay Agricultural Show last year, we hope you’re as excited as we are for another wonderful event – don’t worry, it’s coming up quickly!

The future of agricultural shows, including ours, depends on the passion and commitment of the generations who support them.

The history of the Toodyay Agricultural Society, and the enduring presence of the Show, keeps families – both old and new – returning year after year, along with visitors who come to experience this unique tradition.

The Toodyay Showgrounds themselves are part of the attraction, with their historical exhibition pavilion and purpose-built buildings designed by farmers and Committee members of years long past.

For many locals, the Show holds deep sentimental value, creating cherished memories of fireworks viewed from the oval, thrilling show rides, reunions with friends and the special evening ambience.

These are memories that we know should continue to be created, they are worth preserving and passing on to future generations.

To ensure the continued success of this historic event, we need the support of community members who are willing to lend a hand.

Whether you’re interested in joining the Committee, learning how the Show is organised, or simply helping during Show Week, your involvement will provide invaluable stability, steadiness and energy to our Society.

If you’re interested in being part of Toodyay’s oldest community tradition, we invite you to our “Get Involved Gig!” on Saturday 8 February, from 1pm to 3pm in the Youth Hall at the Toodyay Showgrounds.

Our 2025 AGM will follow shortly after on Monday 10 February, at 7pm, also in the Youth Hall. Join us for a cuppa and nibbles before or after the meeting.

Let’s come together to celebrate our history and build a bright future for the Toodyay Show.

We can’t wait to see you!

Sean Hefferon
IN THE week before Christmas Toodyay Shire councillors voted to cancel the Toodyay International Food Festival – an event that had run for 19 years in conjunction with the Avon Descent.

The following councillors in Cr Dival, Duri, McCormick, McKeown, Wrench and Prater endorsed the officer’s recommendation “to not run the food festival in 2025 in favour of embarking on a new approach for the running of events to create smaller events in the main street of Toodyay that benefits local business, community and tourism”.

Cr Madasci voted against the recommendation.