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Nightsoil, Hatpins and Health Inspectors
Exhibited in the Perth Town Hall Foyer from 13 August - 6 September 2009.
This history exhibition told the story of Perth, a town that grew into a modern city over five years from 1910 to 1915. The Perth City Council was instrumental in this change, laying down basic reforms which would transform Perth into the liveable City it has become.
The city changed rapidly as electricity replaced gas. Streetscapes became illuminated by electric light. Telegraph lines that had cluttered the upper levels of streets were hidden underground. Nightsoil workers with their horses and carts were replaced when sewerage pipes were laid to connect to large-scale main drains. Streets that were dirt and mud began to be tarred as motor vehicles took over the streets from bicycles and horse drawn vehicles. Health inspectors played a large role in the overall health of the City. They did everything from supervising infectious disease outbreaks to prosecuting milk tampering cases and licensing maternity hospitals. They also fought to stop raw sewage polluting the Swan River.
The exhibition used archival material, old photographs (from the Telstra Collection held in the National Archives WA) and memorabilia items from the City’s collection.
The Nightsoil, Hatpins and Health Inspectors: Cleaning up the City of Perth 1910 - 1915 History Exhibition exhibition was presented by the City of Perth to fulfil its aims to make the history of the city of Perth a living history and show the role of Council in contributing to the cultural life of the city.
The 4 page exhibition catalogue (see link on right)produced for the exhibition contains a precis of the information in the exhibition.
For further information contact the City of Perth Memorabilia Curator, Jo Darbyshire on 9461 3116 or email Jo.Darbyshire@cityofperth.wa.gov.au