Thank a Volunteer Morning Tea Celebrates WA’s Agricultural Heritage

February 24, 2025

This morning at the Claremont Showground, volunteers from the Royal Agricultural Society’s Heritage Hall gathered for a special Thank a Volunteer Morning Tea, part of the WA Department of Communities Thank a Volunteer Day program. The event celebrated the dedicated team whose efforts preserve the incredible history of Western Australian agriculture.

The Heritage Hall serves as a “living museum,” where a not-so-tireless group of volunteers—primarily retired farmers, mechanics, and engineers—work diligently to restore donated artifacts and machinery. Their commitment not only safeguards treasured pieces of the past but also creates a dynamic display that is showcased annually at the Perth Royal Show.

Jim Fleming, Volunteer of the Year 2023, a retired engineer, shared his enthusiasm:

“There’s a real sense of camaraderie among us. We come together in an environment that fosters teamwork to preserve and restore these fascinating artifacts that capture the history of agriculture in WA.”

In addition to celebrating past accomplishments, the volunteers are always eager to welcome new members, especially those with skills and a passion for agricultural and other machinery and implements.

Robyn Sermon, CEO of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA, also took the opportunity to publicly thank and acknowledge the volunteers for their 40 years of service, highlighting their invaluable contributions to preserving Western Australia’s agricultural legacy.

Established in 1988, the RASWA Heritage Volunteers have played a pivotal role in maintaining and expanding a unique collection of heritage farming equipment at the Claremont Showground. Originating in the 1980s with exhibitions by farm machinery distributors at the Perth Royal Show, the Heritage Display quickly evolved. Landmark donations, including the Curnow Collection (1986) and the Priestner Collection (1987)—which featured the full contents of a historic cast-iron workshop operating from 1932 to 1961 in Nedlands—have paved the way for a collection that now includes fully operational farm and workshop machinery.

The morning tea not only served as a heartfelt thank you to these dedicated volunteers but also raised public awareness of the ongoing efforts to preserve Western Australia’s rich agricultural heritage.

Anyone interested in joining the volunteer team is encouraged to contact Mia Cheavins at mia.cheavins@raswa.org.au