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Celebrate 2026 Albany
Commemorating 200 years of Albany 'Kinjarling' as the first settlement of Western Australia.
Honouring and celebrating our community and the people who contributed to the first settlement of Western Australia.
The Albany Historical Society (AHS) celebrates Albany 'Kinjarling', we recognise our community's diverse cultural heritage, our rich and unique history and the important role Albany played as the first British colonial and Aboriginal settlement of Western Australia. We respect and recognise the connection to country of the Menang Noognar people and the importance Kinjarling holds in their culture and in their day to day lives.​
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Through its development and influential figures, cultural links, resilience, years of hardship, triumph, perseverance and determination, we pay respect to all ancestors and celebrate who we have become.
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The Albany Bicentenary is an opportunity to celebrate the places, our community and the profound culture, diverse heritage and rich history. As part of Celebrate 2026 Albany, AHS is working on several projects to commemorate Western Australia's first bicentenary.
Menang People
Country and Culture
Kinjarling (Albany) and the region is the ancestral lands of the Menang people who have been the traditional custodians of the country for tens of thousands of years.
The area is called Kinjarling by the traditional custodians, which means "the place of rain". The Minang/Menang Noongar people's ancestors were in the south west of Australia since 'Koora' which means ‘long time ago’ and have maintained a cultural connection to the country for at least 45,000 years.
The region is known as the Wagyl Kaip and Southern Noongar region which includes the towns of Boyup Brook, Bridgetown, Walpole, Denmark, Mt Barker, Cranbrook, Tambellup, Katanning, Nyabing, Jerramungup, Ravensthorpe, Hopetown, Bremer Bay and Albany. Wagyl Kaip and Southern Noongar region refers to the Noongar dialect groups; Minang/Menang, Ganeang and Goreng.
There are many culturally significant sites, one being the Stirling Range known as 'Koi Kyeunu-ruff' - place of ever-moving about mist and fog and Middleton Beach is 'Binalup', meaning 'morning light.
The AHS Bicentenary coin and badge has been created in celebration of 200 years. We are commemorating this remarkable anniversary and a first in the history of Western Australia.
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Available to purchase at Albany Convict Gaol and Patrick Taylors Cottage Museums.
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$ 10.00 [Limited Stock]
Celebrate 200 Years
Western Australia's First Bicentenary
Frederick Town Diorama
For many years, the Albany Convict Gaol has had a diorama depicting Major Lockyer’s original settlement of what was then Frederick Town. This model has been seen by tens of thousands of people over the last 40 years and has provided them with an image of the first European settlement in Western Australia.
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Our Bicentenary Subcommittee identified the diorama as a worthy bicentennial project to add to the AHS Celebrate 2026 bicentenary projects portfolio.
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We have been very fortunate to have had the services of an incredibly talented artist, Matt who has agreed to recreate the diorama in a new and more comprehensively detailed model. The project will be ongoing over the next serval months and be completed in time for Celebrate 2026.
Two Hundred Years
By Andrew Eyden | AHS CEO
Two hundred years, this place we see, a place of beauty be.
Two hundred years, that we see, her mountains from her majestic sea.
Two hundred years, did we but toil, upon her sand and earthly soil.
Two hundred years, was she not, the port of mariners, settlers of every lot.
Two hundred years, her islands be, her shining ramparts on her sea.
Two hundred years, she to be, our shining beacon fronted by sea.
Two hundred years, was she not, the place to rest our weary lot.
Two hundred years, she could not be, by the Powers, that would not see!
Two hundred years, and more she be, home to ANZAC legends who be.
Two hundred years, this State you see, owes her more than can be.
Two hundred years, to be seen, now she rises our stunning Queen.
Two hundred years, and more she be, a blessed home to thee.
Two hundred years, of her history be, a sense of place unto thee.
Two hundred years, did she but be, the place this all began, for you and me.
Two hundred years, of time it be, but only to the nonnative we.
Two hundred years, and thousands be, that she stands shining bright ever to be.
Get in touch
37 Duke Street
Albany, Western Australia 6330
PO Box 411
Albany, Western Australia 6331
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Acknowledgement
The Albany Historical Society Inc. acknowledges the Menang Noongar people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we reside and we pay our respect to Elders past and present.
© 2024 Albany Historical Society Inc.