Editorial: 100th anniversary celebrations bring long weekend of activities to Northcliffe

Celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the first settlers in Northcliffe start on Good Friday and last the entire long weekend. Northcliffe began its life as the last, and arguably the most remote, of the post-World War I group settlement schemes implemented by then premier Sir James Mitchell to develop a dairy industry in South West forests. Upon arrival on January 3, 1924, first settlers were confronted with a “town” consisting of a Public Works Department camp which housed road builders, a holding shed for group stores and a couple of staff cottages, one of which was transformed into a cottage hospital. With more than 500 families, most of which were British migrants, the town grew quickly, and on May 7 the same year, the town was formally named after British media baron, Lord Northcliffe, in recognition of his role in promoting the scheme. Over the years, Northcliffe adapted and changed, with new residents, artists, retirees and families wanting a tree change moving to the town. Today this small, diverse community off the beaten track is proud of its heritage and looking to have a party to celebrate the past 100 years. On Friday afternoon, attendees will be able to meet or catch up with descendants of the original group settlers, with an afternoon tea at the Visitor Centre and Gallery complex at 3pm. Elder Sue Kelly will perform a welcome to country before the opening of the 100 Women Exhibition at the Painted Tree Gallery, with the exhibition exploring 100 years of women’s experiences in Northcliffe by 21 artists from Perth and the South West. On Saturday, the Northcliffe CBD will be the main venue for all the events, with a wide range of activities on offer including a parade, pipe band, market stalls, food vans, log chop, blacksmith, woodturner, magician, petting zoo, and more. There will also be tours and trails including a tour of the school between 1pm and 3pm, the opening of the heritage walk trail and the opening of Munroe House at 3pm, while the Understory art and nature trail will remain open over the weekend. Not-for-profit charity Black Dog Ride will be organising a special auction at 11.30am Saturday, with Bannister Downs Dairy generously donating a Friesian heifer Clementine, while Gin Gin Speckle Park Stud has donated three straws of Speckle Park bull semen for auction. The raised funds will be donated to Northcliffe Community Development. On Easter Sunday, March 31, the Uniting Church will be hosting a combined Easter church service at 8.30am and there is an Easter Mass at St Joseph’s at 4pm. Northcliffe will also celebrate 100 years of sport at the Northcliffe Recreation Ground, with a day full of nostalgia for old and young, with the Northcliffe Recreation Association, P and C and bowling club catering for the day. One of the highlights will be an exhibition of sporting photos and memorabilia showcasing 100 years of sport, from group settlement to the present day. Sporting events on the day will include the Forest Park fun run, 100-yard sprints, the inaugural Lower South West Football League sprint, and an exhibition tug of war match where the Daubney family will face the town’s sportsmen, the centenary mile, and the Easter bunny will arrive at 9.30am for the younger children. Kids will also have a lot of events to join including relays, croquet, making a peg doll, games of marbles, as well as a tiny tots story time and face painting. At 1pm there’s the unveiling of the sportsmen’s plaques to recognise Northcliffe sportsmen who have contributed greatly to their respective sports and community.