The Mandurah Community Museum features photographs, objects and information about Mandurah’s journey from pre-settlement through its development as a quiet holiday town into the thriving city.

If you’ve got an interest in the history, architecture, events or people of Mandurah and the Peel Region, then you may want to take a look at the Frank Semmens Local Studies Collection.

The collection includes:

Newspapers and clippings – The museum holds the last two years of the Mandurah Mail and Coastal Times. In addition, clippings have been collected since 1960. Collecting information from newspapers and other sources continues today. These clippings are filed under subject headings.

Microfilms – Make an appointment to view microfilms of local newspapers using the museum’s microfiche for the following local papers:

• The Coastal District Times 1963 – 1987
• Mandurah Advertiser 1978 – 1983
• Mandurah Mid-Week Times 1984

Oral Histories – A unique collection of oral histories, is available on CD and transcript. It provides a vital record of significant events, places, industries, businesses, Indigenous history and general life. The collection of oral histories continues on an ongoing basis.

Pioneering Families – Information is available at the Museum about pioneering families and historic cottages including the Tuckey, Eacott and Sutton families.

Photographs – A collection of photographs that captures Mandurah’s rich and vibrant history. Reproductions on photographic paper are available for purchase.

Books, Reports, Journals, Brochures – Some of the subjects depicted are industry, land development, wetlands and the estuary. Material may not be borrowed, however, all information is available and easily accessible. A photocopier is available. A small fee is charged to users of this service.

Books and DVDs available to purchase – If you would like to know more about Mandurah’s pioneering history and development there are books and DVDs available for sale at the museum. Significant amongst these are:

• Burgess.J (1988) ‘Mandurah-Water Under the Bridge’
• Richards.R (1993) ‘Murray and Mandurah’
• ‘Mandurah-Spanning The Ages’
• ‘Barragup Yarns’ An Indigenous History Film Project

Aboriginal People – Go to Our Knowledge, Our Land for information about the Mandurah Bindjareb community. This website includes photos, video, oral histories and significant historical and cultural sites.