Royal WA Historical Society State History Conference

About the event

The City of Cockburn and the Cockburn Historical Society are proud to host the 2025 State History conference, celebrating the rich and diverse stories that have shaped our community. Faces and Spaces of Cockburn: Stories Waiting to be Told brings together historians and local voices to highlight Cockburn’s unique place in Western Australia’s history. From Noongar leadership and early European settlement to community activism and environmental conservation, the conference showcases the people and events that have shaped our City.

Tickets and registration details for conference events and tours are provided below.

Friday Night Welcome Event

Friday 12 September, 6-8pm
Memorial Hall, Hamilton Hill
Free
Welcome event with drinks and finger food.
Register for the conference and catch up with friends and colleagues.

Check out the two exhibitions:

• “Wisdom Keepers: Untold Stories of Cockburn”
• “Nyungar Artworks from the City of Cockburn collection”

Register to attend the Friday Night Welcome Event

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Conference Presentations

Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September, 8.30am-2pm
Jakovich Centre, Henderson
Tickets $100

Presentations include:

• Midgegooroo, early Whadjuk Nyungar leader in the Cockburn area
• Murder and the Camel Trade
• Stories of Walliabup/Bibra Lake
• Shipwrecks and Vampires in Cockburn Sound
• History of Coogee Beach
• Wandi Dixon
• Cockburn, A Conservation Powerhouse

Also check out our exhibition: “Passion and Protest: Cockburn Community Speaks Up”.

Includes morning tea and lunch

Purchase tickets to the Conference Presentations

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Tours

All tours leave from the Jakovich Centre, Henderson

Tales and Trails 

13 September 2pm-4.30pm
Azelia Ley Museum and Manning Park
Tickets $10

Purchase tickets to Tales and Trails Tour

Bibra Lake Wetlands and Nyungar Stories

13 September 2pm-4.30pm
Wetlands Centre, Bibra Lake
Tickets $20

Purchase tickets to Bibra Lake Wetlands and Nyungar Stories Tour

Explore Coogee

14 September 1.45pm-4pm
Coogee Coastline
Tickets $20

Purchase tickets to Explore Coogee Tour

Woodman Point Quarantine Station

14 September 1.45pm-3.45pm
Woodman Point
Tickets $25

Purchase tickets to Woodman Point Quarantine Station Tour
 

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Conference Wind Up

13 September, 4pm-5.30pm
Drinks and Nibbles
Have a final chat before heading home
Free drink on arrival and finger food provided 
Free

Register to attend Conference Wind Up

Conference Dinner

13 September, 5.30pm-9pm
City of Cockburn Administration Function Room
Conference dinner with guest speaker
Three-course meal including drinks
Tickets $80

Purchase tickets to the Conference Dinner