Celebrating our Pioneers

The City of Armadale’s annual celebration of our pioneers, took place on Saturday 9 August 2025 at Kelmscott Hall.

This yearly reunion celebrates the City’s pioneers, who have resided in the City for 50 years or more. They remain an important part of the fabric, history and culture of the City, and this reunion serves as an opportunity to gather together to celebrate and share this rich tapestry of memories.

Mayor Ruth Butterfield said: “This annual celebration marks an important occasion for friends and neighbours to get together and celebrate all the history they share. It’s always a wonderful chance to reminisce and note the changes that are happening as the City grows and becomes home to future long term residents.”

Over 200 pioneers attended the 2025 reunion, and enjoyed catching up with dear friends and enjoying a lovely afternoon tea.

The door prize went to Pat Hart who won a Marini Ferlazzo set of placemats, coasters and tea towel, which celebrate the beauty of Australia’s native wildlife.

Mayor Ruth Butterfield shared updates on the famous Wirra Willa Gardens, which Council purchased in 2022.

Wirra Willa is a four acre, State Heritage listed property with a Paradise Style Garden. It was known as ‘Katta Mia’ (meaning house/shelter on the hill) in 1838, and from 1950-1980, several generations of owners used the nearby brook and tree canopy to cultivate an extensive garden containing many unique species of flora. Over a 70 year period, five female gardeners grew and developed Wirra Willa to become a flourishing Paradise Garden, featuring rare and unique flora. The City is currently restoring the gardens, to return them to their former glory, so that this wonderful asset to the City’s public open spaces can be enjoyed for generations.

If you have been in the City of Armadale for 50 years or more and would like to attend the annual event, please contact Marie Cox via email at mcox@armadale.wa.gov.au or by phone (08) 9394 5639.