Midland and Districts Historical Society Inc.

18/06/2026

𝗪𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗔𝗬 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡

Midland and Districts Historical Society is sadden to hear the passing of Lindsay Johnston.

Originally hailing from Kalgoorlie, Johnston made his move to WAFL club, Swan Districts in 1959 and went onto play 27 WAFL games for Swan Districts between 1959 and 1961 including a role in the club’s 1961 Premiership.

Lindsay managed to win another premiership for the Herne Hill Football Club in 1968 after he had left Swan Districts as a player. Following the end of his playing career, he moved into umpiring and officiated in the 1971 WAFL Grand Final.

He was awarded life membership of the Swan Districts Football Club in 1985 for his contribution as a player, player’s representative, director and umpire advisor and awarded life membership of the Swan Districts Past Players and Officials Association in 2021.

Outside of Swan Districts, Lindsay will be remembered for his role as the Store Manager of Freecorns on Helena Street in Midland during the 1960’s and 1970’s. He also had coaching stints with the Midland Amateurs and Midvale Junior Football Club.

We wish to extend our condolences to the Johnston family and friends at this time.

Rest in Peace Lindsay.

17/06/2026

𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗔 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬!

Like any non-profit community organisation, the Midland and Districts Historical Society relies on memberships, donations and sponsorships to continue preserving and promoting the rich local history of Midland and the surrounding suburbs.

We are seeking local businesses and organisations that share our passion for community heritage and local history to become sponsors of our Society.

By sponsoring our Society, you will be supporting the preservation of our region's history while demonstrating your commitment to the local community.

Our social media platforms reach thousands of people interested in local history and community stories, providing an opportunity to showcase your business alongside our Society's activities and projects.

If your business is interested in becoming a sponsor, we would love to discuss the opportunities available. Email us at: [email protected]

17/06/2026

Time for another auction at the Midland Saleyards in 1920.

Photo from the City of Swan Local History Collection.

16/06/2026

Shire of Swan Shire Clerk, Laurie O'Meara, Councillor Harold 'Snowy' Bennett and L Wilkes at the opening of 'The Junction' on Morrison Road in Midland in 1979.

The Junction was a shelter for homeless people funded by the Department of Community Welfare and local donations.

We would like to put a house number to this property, if anyone can remember where this house was exactly located, please let us know in the comments.

Photo from the City of Swan Local History Collection.

15/06/2026

Swan Settlers Association Limited - dried fruit packing shed in Herne Hill taken in 1938.

Photo from the City of Swan Local History Collection.

14/06/2026

𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬!

Like any non for profit community group, our Society relies on memberships and donations that allow us to keep doing the work we do for local history in Midland and the surrounding suburbs.

We need your support now more than ever. By joining you will be doing your bit to preserve and promote the local history of Midland and the surrounding suburbs.

Membership is only $20 for the 2026/2027 financial year. You can email our Society at: [email protected] and we will send you a membership application form.

** Existing members your membership renewal should be in your inbox now.

14/06/2026

𝗟𝗔 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗝𝗨𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗘 𝗚𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦

Our Society would like to thank Mario Taverniti for his donation of a set of La Salle College Silver Jubilee Glasses to add to our collection.

La Salle College celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1979 with the college releasing these limited edition glasses as part of their merchandise for the occasion.

14/06/2026

Midland and Districts Historical Society is sadden to the hear the passing of long time Swan Districts Tee-ball Association volunteer, John Van Emmerloot.

John was a volunteer with the association for an extraordinary 47 years and held many positions within the association during that time.

We wish to extend our condolences to John's family, friends and everyone at Swan Districts Tee-Ball Association at this time.

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you all of the passing of one of this associations greatest, John Van Emmerloot, over the weekend.

John was apart of Swan Districts Teeball for over 47 years and became a life member of this association in 1992/1993 season

John has played many roles such as: President, Chief Coach, Chief Umpire, Patron, Life memeber and participated in countless sausage sizzle fundraisers, he enjoyed all his roles so much as he enjoyed helping our children wherever he could, as his children were apart of Swan Districts Teeball.

Our condolences are sent to John’s wife Robyn, their 2 children John and Jamie, as well as their grandchildren at this time.

John will be forever missed on our diamonds but will always be in our hearts.

The Funeral Service for Mr John Van Emmerloot will be held in Bowra & 0'Dea's Chapel, 131 Great Eastern Hwy, Bellevue commencing at 2:30pm on FRIDAY 26.06.2026

Vale, John Van Emmerloot.

13/06/2026

𝗪𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔 𝗧𝗢𝗟𝗝

Midland and Districts Historical Society is sadden to hear the passing of Vera Tolj.

Vera along with her late husband, Miro were long time residents of Baskerville. We will always remember the famous BASKERVILLE hedge which stood for many years at the front of their property on Great Northern Highway close to Memorial Avenue.

Vera was a well respected staff member at Middle Swan Primary School for more than two decades from the 1970's until the 1990's.

She would later become involved with the Maylands Historical and Peninsula Association as Secretary and played a role in the association acquiring their home at the former Maylands Police Station.

We wish to extend our condolences to the Tolj family and friends at this time.

Rest in Peace Vera.

11/06/2026

Back in the golden era of WAFL footy, we had our own promotional fixture cards. Unfortunately it wasn't the fairytale finish for Swan Districts in 1980.