Story: Woodloes Homestead
Episode: 15
Presenter: Richard Offen
Air Date: 19th May 2024

Richard takes us through the historical Woodloes Homestead.

• Woodloes, built by architect and timber mill owner Francis Bird in the early 1870s, is a heritage-listed home nestled in landscaped gardens.
• Notably, it features a significant bunya pine and is conveniently located a short stroll away from the tranquil Canning River, standing as a rare example of an early architect-designed house south of the Swan River in the Perth area.
• Francis Bird playing a pivtol role in the development of the Western Australian timber industry.
• Despite various alterations over time; such as changes to dormer windows, removal of interior walls; the building’s form has stayed true to its original construction.
• In 1974 Woodloes was purchased by the City of Canning. Together with the Canning Districts Historical Society, they embarked their restoration journey, in hopes to be an epicentre for the local historical society and establishing a museum.
• Since 1978, Woodloes has been an open to the public as a community-based museum and currently run by volunteers.
• In addition, the Woodloes site features a congregational church, a non-denominational church that was reconstructed in the 1990s.
• Some materials from the original church were used in the reconstruction, which can be hired for weddings, events, and ceremonies.