Denmark Historical Society named finalist for prestigious state award recognising its railway history project

The Denmark Historical Society has earned recognition for its work preserving the region’s railway history, named one of three finalists for a prestigious Royal Western Australian Historical Society Award.

The society is in the running for the merit award for its collection of interpretive signs along the former Elleker-Nornalup Railway Line.

The project was driven by longtime Denmark Historical Society member and railway history enthusiast Ross McGuinness who spent hundreds of hours researching, writing and designing the signs.

What began as an idea to mark the former Denmark railway station and yards grew into a much larger project, with 38 signs now installed at significant points along the former railway route.

The signs feature historical information, photographs and illustrations, helping visitors understand the significance of locations they pass while walking, cycling or horse riding along the former rail line.

Mr McGuinness had already written a comprehensive history of the railway, Elleker, Denmark, Nornalup — The Railway Extended West But Never Met, before turning his attention to making the history more accessible to the public.

The project involved consulting long-term local residents and members of the WA Railway Historical Society, while the Denmark Historical Society secured a Lotterywest grant to help cover printing and frame costs.

Mr McGuinness then worked with friends and neighbours to install the signs at their intended locations.

The former railway was an important link for the Denmark district, particularly after the line was extended to Nornalup between 1927 and 1929 to connect the group settlements with Denmark.

The line was eventually closed in 1957 before being converted into a recreational trail in the early 2000s.

Since the signs were installed, the society has received positive feedback from locals, visitors and historians.

One cyclist who travelled the full trail said the signs added significant interest to the ride, while the project has also helped see the trail and its interpretive signage incorporated into the William Bay Trail Masterplan.

For the Denmark Historical Society, the award nomination provides recognition for the significant effort that has gone into ensuring the story of the railway remains visible for future generations.