Linda Rooney
Treasurer - 2023-2024
Linda’s skills lie in her organising and finance skills and her experience in business development, event management and marketing. A passion for community had led her to participate in community groups after arriving in Toodyay. An interest in history led her to Toodyay Historical Society, her skills have been embraced by the THS membership, firstly as Secretary, then Treasurer and Secretary/Treasurer, followed by three years as President, and now abck to Treasurer. Linda has the strongest admiration for the THS dynamic research team comprising of dedicated volunteers of exceptional expertise. Well read, well written, well trained and dedicated volunteers that provide valuable information that make the THS website a valuable tool for all who seek insight into Toodyay history. Now based in Perth, she continues to support THS.
Robyn Taylor
Vice President - 2023-2024
Dr Robyn Taylor is an Honorary Life Member and Past President of the Toodyay Historical Society. She is also now the Society's Honorary Patron. She works as a registered Professional Historian in the fields of WA history, cultural heritage and art history. She co-authored Toodyay Homesteads (2006) with Dr Rica Erickson, and the history of Toodyay’s Butterly Cottages Association (2018). She has produced histories for conservation plans and heritage assessments on a number of Toodyay’s heritage buildings. Robyn has undertaken major projects as an art curator and is currently writing the biography of WA sculptor Edward F. Kohler (1890-1964), a former ANZAC who trained and practiced in Europe before returning to WA in 1932.
Beth Frayne
President - 2023-2024
Beth joined the Society in 2005, when it was short of a Secretary. She is an Honorary Life Member, volunteers as one of the Events Co-ordinators, and is a member of the Research Team, answering the myriad enquiries that are handled annually by the Society. Beth has now branched out into the unfathomable depths of website management. At the 2023 AGM, Beth accepted the new task of being the Society's President. A retired librarian from Perth, she has lived in Toodyay for 22 years.
Desrae Clarke
Committee - 2019-2024
I have always loved ‘old’ objects with my first substantial acquisition an 1876 iron mantle clock that my mother was ‘throwing out’. It was badly rusted but the beautiful china face was without a blemish. I fully restored it and it sits proudly on show among many other precious ‘old’ pieces. With the purchase of land in the historic shire in 1984 the Toodyay Society was joined in 1988; a move to become a permanent resident was in 1989 after which, in 1991 I was asked to take the role of president. I resigned in 1994 from the now Toodyay Historical Society Inc and renewed the connection with the Society in 2007. In the past I have taken on the position of secretary and committee member and have also contributed a number of oral histories of Toodyay folk to the archives. In 2018 it was a great privilege to be made an Honorary Life Member of the Society.
Wayne Clarke
Committee - 2019-2024
Wayne (and wife Desraé) purchased land in Toodyay in 1984 and moved to live here in 1989. Joined the Toodyay Society in 1988 and oversaw the change to the ‘Historical Society’ in 1994. Held the offices of Vice President, Acting Secretary, Treasurer and committee member; made Honorary Life Members (2018). Interests are many and varied but mainly centre on the environment. Member of the Toodyay Naturalists;’ Club (since 1986), Secretary of the Toodyay Land Conservation District Committee (1991-2014), started the Toodyay Friends of the River (1994) and a member of the Shire’s Environment Committees. Member of the Avon River Management Authority (1993-2002), Avon Waterways Committee (2002-2011) and Conserving the Avon River Environment (2012, Current Chair); Deputy and then Chair of the Avon Catchment Council (2000-2008); member of the Western Australian Weeds Committee (2004-2007) and the Avon Nature Conservation Advisory Committee (1991-2014).
Carolyn Elphick
Secretary - 2023-2024
Carolyn is no stranger to the Society as she was previously a member in the years 1994-2000, holding the positions of Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President over that period. Having recently retired from an local active small business working life, she is keen renew her museum amd archival skills in processing the Society's archival collections. She is a memberr of the THS Resaerch Team..
Milton Baxter
Committee - 2017-2024
Milton first joined the Society in about 2011, and has been an active member ever since, either as Vice President or Committee member. A keen genealogist, he has created research resources for the Society archives, and writes quirky articles for the newsletter. He is often seen in his persona, Toodyay convict Thomas Shaw. In 2021, he was an made an Honorary Life Member to acknowledge his service to the Society.
Adam O'Neill
Committee - 2021-2024
Adam was elected to the Committee at the 2021 AGM. A member of the Research Team, Adam is a valuable addition to the Committee, bringing a modern and youthful viewpoint on our activities and aspirations. He also is one of our website data managers. A UWA undergraduate, Adam also volunteers at the State Records Office of WA, so giving the Society a useful insight into the Toodyay archives in that institution.
Brian Wood
Committee - 2023-2024
Profile to come..
Ian Stannard
Committee - 2023-2024
Profile to come..
Dr. Robyn Taylor
Honorary Patron - 2023-2024
As well as continuing in her role as Vice Presdent, Robyn was nominated as the Society's Honorary Patron, after the recent reitment of Len Leeder. We know we can call on Robyn's experience to help the Society weather its challenges.