Qantas Catalina Air Base

Statement of Significance

The place has historic significance for associations with defence strategies during WWII.

History

In 1910 the land was resumed for public recreation. UWA bought the bulk of the land in 1914. During WWII, the Commonwealth Govt requisitioned the land for defence purposes, and Qantas Catalinas used Matilda Bay as their base, and flew between Perth and Sri Lanka for wartime communications. The US Navy base was on the site of the Mounts Bay Sailing Club. Servicemen lived in nearby UWA buildings. Present-day restaurants, kiosks change rooms and jetties have been constucted since c1950. (Ref: Signage on site; Spillman, Ken, Identity Prized: A History of Subiaco, City of Subiaco, UWA Press, 1985, pp. 268-9.) The land in Nedlands on the Crawley foreshore was originally under the control of the Claremont Road Board, until annexed by Subiaco in 1907. This changed the local government boundary, and gained Subiaco some of the foreshore. From the early 1890s, the Crawley riverfront was a popular place for picnicking, boating, swimming and crabbing, referred to as 'Subiaco Beach' by many local residents. The extension of the tramway to Nedlands in 1908 further increased the riverside's popularity. In 1910 with the efforts of Mayor Shirley White, the Government resumed the land to be reserved for use as a public recreation area. The University was established in 1930 following the Crawley site being chosen in 1921. Post-war progress and the increase in population saw the redevelopment and construction of many apartment blocks and in 1952, Subiaco attained the status of a city. Pride in Subiaco further increased with the success from the Royal Perth Yacht Club with Australia II winning the America's Cup in 1983. (Sources: Wise's Post Office Directory 1920-1949; Spillman, Ken, Identity Prized: A History of Subiaco, City of Subiaco, UWA Press, 1985, pp. 105,155-158,355.)

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update