Dining Room History Wall Showcases College Legacy

30 Mar

A new History Wall in the College Dining Room is bringing the story of the College to life, celebrating its rich history and long-standing contribution to the region and Western Australia since opening in 1942.

For more than 80 years, the College has played an important role in agricultural education, shaping generations of students who have gone on to contribute to farming, regional communities and industry across the state. The History Wall captures this legacy, highlighting the people, places and experiences that have defined the College over the decades.

The project, led and funded by the College’s Alumni Association, features a series of professionally designed panels showcasing key moments from each decade. The first completed displays focus on the 1940s and 1950s, offering a snapshot of the College’s early years and its development into a well-regarded agricultural institution.

The panels combine historical photographs and researched content, originally compiled by Bev and Ross McGuinness, helping to preserve and share the College’s story with current students, staff and visitors.

This work forms part of a broader initiative within the Dining Room, which also includes newly installed memorabilia display cabinets and retractable banners featuring historic images and stories. Together, these elements are creating a space that reflects the College’s heritage and its connection to the wider community.

The Alumni Association has fully funded the completed stages of the project, with strong support from past students. In particular, the display cabinets were made possible through a generous contribution from the late Don Jones (1954/55), who requested that funds from his estate be used to support this initiative.

With the first decades now on display, the Association is seeking support from the wider community to complete the remaining years. Each additional decade panel costs approximately $3,000 to design and produce.