Books Suitable for Students
The State Library holds some books on Western Australian history, etc. which are suitable for Primary and Secondary School students. A small selection can be found below and others can be located in the State Library Catalogue.
Exploring in Western Australia / by Hazel Biggs
Suitable for students wanting an overview of exploration in WA, with chapters on exploring the Darling Range, the spread of settlement, the naturalist explorers, the search for the inland sea, exploring the north, the explorers who did not return, crossing the interior, the Indigenous guides and crossing from south to north.
Pioneering in Western Australia / by Hazel Biggs
Suitable for students studying how the pioneers lived in the first years of the colony, with chapters on the beginning of the colony, the founding of the colony, settlers and Indigenous people, the pioneers' way of life and a selection of pioneer stories.
Western Australia, a Brief History / by Albert J. Koutsoukis
Suitable for students studying the history of WA, as it divides into periods with chapters on Indigenous people, European discovery, getting established 1829-1850, convicts and pioneers 1850-1869, stagnation 1870-1884, the gold boom 1885-1895, prosperity 1894-1904, building on firm foundations 1905-1919, boom times 1920-1929, depression and disaster 1930-1939, war and peace 1940-1950, development and boom 1950-1970 and consolidation in the 1970s.
Southland, the Maritime Exploration of Australia / by Trevor K. Jacob & Jim Vellios
Details the various ethnic groups who explored Australia before settlement with chapters on the Indigenous people, the Macassans, the Portuguese, the Spanish, the Dutch, the French and the British.
Western Australia, a Potted History, 1616-1870s / by A.E. Williams
Useful for a brief history of some of the happenings in the early history of WA with chapters on Hartog's and Vlamingh's plates, Vlamingh and the Swan River, HMS Success and Stirling exploring the Swan River, the Parmelia and foundation, James Stirling and early Perth.
All About Western Australia / by Judith Womersley
A useful book on a variety of subjects such as climate, geography, Indigenous history, exploration, gold, architecture, agriculture, industry and commerce, tourism, sport and recreation, arts and science, etc.
The West / by Michael Dugan
A useful book for exploration of WA covering James Stirling, Edward Eyre, Augustus and Francis Gregory, John Forrest, Lawrence Wells, Alfred Canning, David Carnegie, Alexander Collie, Alexander Forrest, George Grey, Frank Hann and John Septimus Roe.
Swan River Mania : a Colonial History of Western Australia / by George Russo & H. Schmitt
Covers the colonial days of WA with chapters on Indigenous people, the Dutch, William Dampier, James Stirling, settlement, conflict, convicts, political prisoners, consolidation and the gold rush.
On This Side : Themes and Issues in Western Australian History / by the Westralian History Group
Covers themes and issues relating to WA with themes such as Indigenous history, environment and land use, multiculturalism, childhood and family history, work, the political contest and sport and issues such as prehistory, why Western Australia was settled, why convicts, gold - did it transform society, etc.
The Golden West / [compiled by] Bill Scott
Suitable for primary school students, this book has chapters on the wreck of the Zeewyck, the Catalpa, Captain Midnite's gang, the golden west, Broome in the 1930s, etc.
Convicts & Jailers / by Brian Kennedy & Barbara Kennedy
A general work on the introduction of convicts to Australia, it has a chapter devoted to WA.
Early Swan River Colony / by Mary E. Calder
Details the history of colonial WA with chapters on the pioneers, Swan River mania, foundation of Perth, society, agriculture, convicts, etc.
The Western State : Some of Its People and Ports / by John Stokes
Provides information about various aspects of WA with chapters on the Dutch, English and French explorers, Swan River colony and the Indigenous people, some of the state's pioneers, explorers of Western Australia, cattle and gold, C.Y. O'Connor, Sir James Mitchell, various ports of Western Australia and the Ord River project.
Western Australia, 1829-1900 / by George Finkel
Details the history of colonial WA with chapters on discovery, settlement, explorers, Australind, convicts, timber, pearl fishing, gold, water, Daisy Bates, transport, communication, schools, defence and federation.
Western Australia's Colonial Years / by Alexandra Hasluck
Suitable for primary school students this book details the history of colonial WA with chapters on the first settlers, the pioneer spirit, exploration, Indigenous people and Bishop Salvado, convicts, wheat and wine, the north, gold, the Goldfields water scheme, etc.
Page last updated: Tuesday 23 November 2010
