Wireless Hill Centenary Celebration Kicks Off in 2012!

Events will be hosted at the site by the City of Melville between February and September 2012 and community groups are encouraged to host their own celebrations and apply for community partnership funding of up to $1000.

The currently scheduled celebrations include but are not limited to: the popular Sculpture Walk in February/March; an outdoor film night in March; a history of Wireless Hill talk in March; NAIDOC week activities during July; a book launch on Western Australian wirelesses and gramophones in September; and a wildflower walk also in September.

Mayor Russell Aubrey encouraged people to attend the free events which will be promoted throughout the year.

"This is a wonderful milestone for an iconic and popular spot and the City has organised a wide range of enjoyable activities for the community that are free, family-friendly and celebrate Wireless Hill’s marvellous history," he said.

"For instance, a Sculpture Walk will be on display between Saturday, 25 February and Sunday, 11 March and later a special celebration will be held on Sunday, 30 September 2012, to mark the opening of one of the first telecommunication stations in Australia, which is now the oldest surviving station of its kind.

"As well as the wide range of City of Melville events, we’d like to recognise the connection the community has with this site and offer financial support for those wanting to organise events for their own Wireless Hill Centenary Celebration.

"The Community Partnership Funding program will provide up to $1000 for programs, events, activities and projects that raise awareness, educate people about the historical significance of Wireless Hill, and increase community participation.

"The funding is for established and emerging not-for-profit organisations and groups based in the City, or those organisations which provide services within this community.

"Wireless Hill is for everyone! Let’s get together and celebrate this magnificent location!"

As part of the centenary celebrations, the City will also give Wireless Hill a makeover worth almost $2 million, with the first stage of improvements to begin April 2012.

The improvements include upgrades to park furniture, the playground, lighting and the anchor blocks, altering the entrance to the park and the creation of three walking trails.

The City is also planning improvements to the buildings on site, including the museum, which are listed in the City of Melville Municipal Heritage Inventory, the Registry of the National Trust and the State Heritage Register. Final completion will be by 2014.

For further information about the Wireless Hill Centenary Celebrations, community partnership funding or the centenary calender of events go to www.melvillecity.com.au or call 1300 635 845.

Background

The Wireless Station was built in 1912 by the German Company, Telefunken and Co, and used in World War I and II. It was used to send medical advice to ships with no doctor, as well as communicate with the Antarctic bases.

The Station was officially decommissioned in 1967 and vested in City of Melville in August 1969 and named Wireless Hill Park in February of 1971. The Telecommunications Museum officially opened on October 14, 1979.

Since the City of Melville purchased the site in 1969 it has worked to protect, maintain and enhance its environmental, cultural and natural heritage, recreational and aesthetic values.

From 2007 to 2009 the City of Melville worked with the community and other key stakeholders to develop a future vision for Wireless Hill. This process culminated in a vision document produced by the City in 2009, named Wireless Hill Vision 2020 – Key Themes and Objectives for the Future of Wireless Hill.

The park contains approximately 38 hectares of remnant bushland surrounding two hectares of park land, including a museum, caretaker’s cottage and several other built structures.