Serving the Region

This mess jacket and waistcoat, worn around 1889 by Lieutenant F.F.B. Willenoom, reflect the formality and pride of the Geraldton Rifle Volunteers a local defence force made up of citizen soldiers. Willenoom served for 10 years and wore this uniform at ceremonial and official occasions.

Beside it, a leather dispatch case from 1925 tells another story of regional service. From as early as 1853, policemen in Western Australia weren’t just keeping the peace, they also carried the mail. Their duties often included long, isolated journeys delivering dispatches to remote stations and settlements.

Together, these objects remind us of the many roles locals played in keeping Geraldton connected, defended, and functioning at the edge of a vast and growing colony.