The Archive is maintained for the benefit of current staff and students, old scholars and the wider community. Please email the Archivist to discuss ways in which the resources of the Archive may be used.
If you would like to donate items to the Wesley College Archive, please contact the College Archivist on 9368 8124 or email.
The Wesley College Archive was established as a formal entity in 1996. Prior to that time records and memorabilia were collected by staff and the OWCA, but with no formalised policies or access procedures in place. Since 2002 the Archive and associated Museum have been located on the ground floor of J S Maloney House.
The Collection
The collection is extensive and wide ranging and as well as the official records of the College (records of all students who have attended the College, staff files, medical records, Council and Committee minutes, correspondence and documents) includes museum items, photographs, memorabilia and artefacts. While all items must have some link or common provenance with Wesley College, the artefacts, in particular, are often items of interest in their own right. As examples, the dress sword of Hugo Throssell V C, presented by George V in recognition of his Gallipoli service; the silver trowel used by Sir James Mitchell to lay the foundation stone of the College in 1922; a MBE insignia and medal awarded to Mildred Manning, a former teacher; an extensive collection of Aboriginal shields, boomerangs etc collected by staff and students for the first school museum in 1927; a brass bell brought to the Swan River Colony by early Methodist settlers in 1830; costumes and hats worn by students through the decades; photographs of the College and its surrounds in South Perth since the early twentieth century. Taken separately or in groups they provide a valuable teaching resource that could be applied through various teaching areas.
Management
The Archive is managed and administered by the College Archivist according to the policies that have been adopted by the College Council. The Archivist works two days a week (currently Monday and Tuesday) and at other times by arrangement.
Access
Access to the Collection is through the College Archivist. Staff and student files, minutes and other confidential documents are closed to general access - staff may apply to the archivist if they require information from these sources. Access to the year books of the College (1926 onward), all other College publications including the school history written by Peter Boyce and published in 2001, museum items, artefacts and photographs, is freely available through the archivist - 1-2 weeks notice is advisable as some items may need to be retrieved from store.