This site created by Pauline O'Brien was first installed on 1/6/1998.
Updated on 12/7/2006
Unless otherwise noted all photos have been taken by myself or my husband John O'Brien.
Email: obees@upnaway.com
Fremantle, Western Australia.

I have been privileged to be given access to images taken by the following people. Each of the collections shows our lighthouses at a different time within our maritime history

The Colin Bishop Collection as a Lighthouse Keeper 19  - 19 (still coming) The Ralph Meakins' Collection as a mechanic on board the Cape Don 19 - 1970  The Lyndon O'Grady Collection as an auditor of maintenance work  current (still coming)

As you will see from the extensive list on the left, a Lighthouse by my definition extends beyond the traditional picture postcard image of the old limestone, cast iron and brick lighthouses of our coast. This site is also an attempt to recognise the role and existence of both old - some even derelict or destroyed, and modern lights which might appear as nothing much more than a light on top of a metal pole and an accompanying solar panel, which in their turn have helped to make the navigation of our coastline a safer route over the years.

Recent WA Lighthouse News (still creating links to these)
         

 

 Rottnest Island Wadjemup (Main) Lighthouse opened for tours. Point Cloates attains Heritage Status Jarman Island Restoration completed and opened for tours. The Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse Centenary

To those out there who:-

  • catalogue and archive our state's local history so that we can all access it,
  • write the books with the infinitesimal details that only other lighthouse devotees and history buffs are going to read,
  • run guided tours of lighthouses,
  • set up and run the museums set up in restored lighthouse keeper's cottages,
  • develop meaningful interactive displays in so many of the State's Museums,
  • share the passion of local history, and
  • share a love of lighthouses,
    • Thank you. This is my way of helping to make accessible the body of knowledge available on Western Australia's lighthouses - their images, their history and their changing role, from when ships first started bumping into our coastlines until today.

    I would love to hear of your stories and memories, and would be happy where possible to research any further questions you may have about any of the lighthouses you find on my site.

    If you have come to only this front page via an old link, please go to
    http://www.upnaway.com/~obees/lights/walightsframe.htm