Whiteman Park relies on the involvement of many Community groups and their amazing volunteers. If you are interested in knowing more about any of these groups take a look below.
The Astronomical Society of Western Australia (ASWA) is the premier Astronomical group in Perth, WA. Established in May 1950, ASWA strives to bring the joy of Astronomy to the public and to provide a forum for amateur astronomers and their varying interests to gather together and enjoy this unique hobby. Their aims are:
- The stimulation of a popular interest in Astronomy;
- The association of observers, especially the possessors of small telescopes, for mutual help and their organization in the work of Astronomical observation; and
- To promote Astronomical research by amateurs.
The society are active public astronomers and provide a wide range of services to their members, including a bi-monthly journal, an extensive library of books and journals, telescope loan program, monthly meetings, special interest groups and various other activities.
ASWA conduct regular monthly viewings (mostly of the moon) at Whiteman Park for their members, and they hope to be able to offer some public viewing nights at the Park in the near future.
If you are interested in learning more about astronomy, go to their website at https://aswa-inc.org.au/
ASWA also conduct periodic viewing nights for the public at venues outside Whiteman Park.
The Bus Preservation Society of WA (BPSWA) is a self-funded not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of bus history in Western Australia. Their motto is: “Preserving Bus Heritage for present and future generations.”
The BPSWA group began developing their workshops at Whiteman Park in 1996.
They hold the only comprehensive collection of buses in Western Australia and have more than thirty historic buses in their collection. These range in age, with buses in the collection that were in operation from the 1920s to the 1990s. Some of these have been restored and are used regularly within the Park, including for the Whiteman Explorer tour.
BPSWA members are involved in the restoration, maintenance and servicing of these relics. Some members are also interested in recording and maintaining the records of contemporary buses, a task that will someday soon add to the history of these vehicles.
The Society keeps extensive archives of photographs, historical documents and bus memorabilia and members can access these resources for research, or read related articles published in the Society’s newsletter, “Rattler”.
If you are interested in heritage bus transport and would like to be part of, and contribute to the future of heritage bus transport in WA, then consider joining the Bus Preservation Society.
Contact Revolutions Transport Museum on (08) 9209 6040 to be put in touch with the BPSWA.
The Horsemen’s Pony Club was established in 1962 and has been located at Whiteman Park since 1984.
It is one of the most successful pony clubs in Western Australia, with four fully fenced arenas, new show jumping facilities and an upgraded cross country course with E, D, C and B grade jumps.
Horsemen’s Pony Club with its affiliation with the Pony Club, is a worldwide youth organisation for those interested in horses, ponies and riding and
The Horsemen’s Pony Club is part of the largest association of equestrian riders in the world. They promote the physical, mental and spiritual development of young people, encouraging in them an awareness of responsibility, sportsmanship and citizenship. Pony Club differs from other youth movements because the horse is used as the main centre of interest around which to cultivate strength of character and self-discipline.
The object of the Horsemen’s Pony Club is to encourage young people to learn to enjoy all kinds of sport connected with horses and riding and to provide instruction in riding and to instil in members the proper care of their animals
They meet on the second Sunday of the month, starting at 8.30am. The Horsemen’s Pony Club is located at the Whiteman Park Equestrian Centre, off Gnangara Road, Whiteman. The entrance is 1.6km East of Beechboro Road if traveling from the West or 2.6km West of Lord Street if traveling from the East.
For more information, please visit http://www.horsemens.org.au/index.php
The Keith Maine Centre is an education and training centre run by the Department for Child Protection and Family Support.
Through a range of partnerships, the Keith Maine Centre provides a safe and non-threatening environment for strategies aimed at strengthening and enhancing the skills of individuals, families and communities of interest.
Please note: The Keith Maine Centre is not located within the main recreation precinct of Whiteman Park. Entry is off Beechboro Road North, around 2km north of the Marshall Road/ Beechboro Road intersection. If heading north, go past the Whiteman Park entrance and turn right into the next entrance, signposted ‘Keith Maine Centre’.
The Model Off-Road Buggy Club (MORBC) is a not-for-profit group situated within Whiteman Park.
Founded in 1993, these enthusiastic 1/8th scale buggy racers have built a venue where they can race these fantastic 1/8 scale machines on a surface that is both fun and challenging for beginners as well as experienced racers.
1/8 scale Buggies, Truggies and Monster Trucks as well as 1/10 scale IC off-roaders can be raced on the MORBC tracks. To race, you’ll need your own model car and engine, radio and starting equipment, but the MORBC members will be more than helpful in assisting you to prepare for racing.
MORBC members have also recently upgraded the track and facilities to what many are saying is the best RC off-road track in Australia.
All of the time, money and labour has been volunteered by MORBC members and the materials that were used – over 95% of which is second hand and recycled – was kindly donated by Whiteman Park itself or purchased by the members themselves.
If you are interested in knowing more about this group and their model buggies, come down and take a look. They race on the second and fourth Sunday of each month, plus Wednesdays from 5.00pm during daylight savings (Nov-Mar). You can also check out their race/event calendar at www.morbc.org.au
Please note: The Model Off-road Buggy Club is not located within the main recreation precinct of Whiteman Park. Entry is off Beechboro Road North, around 2km north of the Marshall Road/ Beechboro Road intersection. If heading north, go past the Whiteman Park entrance and turn right into the next entrance (the Keith Maine Centre entry). MORBC is located next to the State Model Aircraft Centre.
The Motor Museum of WA is the second largest motor museum in Australia and was opened in 1994, housing over 130 fascinating motor vehicles, motorcycles and memorabilia in a purpose-built facility.
A voluntary organisation, it is managed by a Board of Trustees and is closely associated with and manned by volunteers drawn from motoring enthusiasts and the Council of Motoring Clubs of WA (CMC).
The Motor Museum has an extensive range of exhibits, displays and memorabilia, making it an educational delight for school children, a must for every petrol-head and, for many, a nostalgic reminder of youthful desires.
For more information on the Motor Museum or how to get in touch with the CMC, email [email protected] or visit the website www.motormuseumwa.com.au
The Perth Electric Tramway Society (PETS) is a volunteer, non-profit organisation of tramway enthusiasts that was founded in 1981.
Members have developed and now operate the only electric tramway in Western Australia, maintaining 4 kilometres of track and overhead power supply at Whiteman Park.
Public tram services on the Whiteman Park Heritage Tramway began in 1985. These services give visitors a “living museum” experience whilst also providing transport from the Whiteman Park Village to the Mussel Pool picnic area.
The Society welcomes all those who have an interest in preserving and passing on our tramway heritage. From restoration and maintenance work to tram operation, research and memorabilia collation, anyone can be involved!
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Perth Electric Tramway Society, you can phone their membership line on (08) 9443 1945 or visit www.pets.org.au
The Tractor Museum of Western Australia commenced in the Park in 1992 as “Tracmach Tractor Museum” before becoming a separately incorporated body in 1994 with the aim to preserve and restore the machines that were the backbone of WA’s economy in the early part of the century.
Its members maintain a diverse fleet of machinery – most restored to working order – from the 1920s through to 1950s.
Their collection includes nearly forty tractors, as well as stationary engines, vintage trucks, a display of country life artefacts and old photographs. Work in the museum is carried out by its members, all volunteers, with many of the exhibits also owned by the members.
The Tractor Museum continues to build its collection of exhibits, and is always looking for information, history and donations of WA-made machinery and implements that would allow them to continue to pay homage to the farming pioneers of our state.
If you have an interest in tractors and agricultural machinery, or have something that may be of interest to the Museum, please call them on a Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday on (08) 9209 3480.
The Western Australian Light Railway Preservation Association (WALRPA) are the operators of the Bennett Brook Railway within Whiteman Park.
Members maintain over 6 kilometres of tracks, providing the public with an old-fashioned train experience using some significant and interesting rolling stock.
The group has also been instrumental in the relocation, restoration and maintenance of some important railway structures within the Park, such as the old Claisebrook and Subiaco Station buildings that now make up the Village Junction Station.
The Bennett Brook Railway (BBR) also run the ever-popular Friends of Thomas the Tank Engine Day in May and September each year. This event is well-attended, being every little kids dream come true!
BBR have both Active and Passive Membership options, so if you have a passion for trains, or would simply like to know more email [email protected]
Visit their website for more information at www.bbr.org.au
The WA Model Aircraft Sports Centre (WAMASC) has been located at Whiteman Park since 1991 and is the best model aircraft facility in Australia.
See everything from model helicopters, combat aircraft and jet aircraft to gliders, aerobatics aircraft and sports models soaring over the field almost every day of the week with new flyers and spectators always welcome.
The Centre is open seven days a week from 8.00am to 6.00pm (excluding extreme fire danger days), with main club days on Saturdays and Sundays. The public are always welcome to visit and enjoy the model flying, with a shaded spectator area, chairs and canteen facilities on weekends serving snacks and refreshments.
There is no admission charge to the Centre for spectators during routine flying sessions. However, there may be admission charges on display days or other special event days.
If you are interested in taking up this exciting sport, then come down and talk to one of the many club members at the WAMASC site. They will help you with membership forms and advice on aircraft, motors, radio sets, batteries, fuel, costs and anything else you may need to get started!
Alternatively, visit the WAMASC website at www.wamasc.org.au for more information on WAMASC contacts and upcoming events.
WAMASC is located on the western edge of Whiteman Park, with access only available off Beechboro Road (approximately 1.8km north of the Whiteman Park Beechboro Road entrance).
The WA Shooting Association (WASA) is an “umbrella” Association made up of nine Member Associations. It has been located at the International Shooting Complex in the Whiteman Park Precinct since 1984.
The Complex is home to seven individual Clubs and two Member Associations which use the Complex for ballistic sports related activities. They are:
- Olympic and Standard Archery (Club & Association)
- Field Archery
- Olympic & Standard Pistol
- Practical Pistol
- Olympic & Standard Clay Target shooting
- Field type Clay Target shooting
Member of the public are welcome to watch Club Members shooting Archery, Pistol or Clay Targets most days of the week, with interested people always welcome to have a go under strictly supervised conditions. Coaches or Mentors are available at most clubs also.
The Centre is open seven days a week from 8am to 5:30pm (excluding EXTREME fire danger days), with main club days on Saturdays and Sundays.
If you are interested in taking up any of these exciting sports, then come down and talk to one of the many Clubs’ members at the International Shooting Complex. They will help you with membership forms and advice on Archery, Pistol or Clay Target shooting and anything else you may need to get started!
Alternatively, contact the WASA (Inc) Groundsman on (08) 9249 2013.
Please note: The International Shooting Complex is not located within the main recreation precinct of Whiteman Park. Entry is off Beechboro Road North, approximately 5km north of the Marshall Road/ Beechboro Road intersection. If heading north, go past the Whiteman Park entrance and turn right into the second entrance and follow the signs.