In a fascinating glimpse into the past, a long-forgotten book from 1912 has resurfaced, revealing a meticulously crafted vision for the future of Western Australia. Titled 'The Ideal Western Australia', this unique publication was not a government manifesto but a collaborative effort by the state's leading citizens, who were asked to paint a picture of their perfect society.
A Collective Dream for a Young State
The project was the brainchild of Albert Edmunds, the then-manager of the Western Australian Bank. In 1912, he commissioned a remarkable volume, inviting over 50 of the state's most prominent figures to contribute their ideas. These contributors were a who's who of early 20th-century WA, including politicians, bishops, journalists, academics, and industry leaders.
Their mission was profound yet simple: to describe their ideal version of Western Australia. The resulting book, published by the Hussey & Gillingham printing firm, served as a collective dream for the young state, which had only achieved self-governance two decades prior and federation just eleven years earlier.
Each chapter presented a different facet of this utopian vision. Contributors tackled diverse topics, from education and agriculture to social welfare and urban planning. The book stands as a remarkable historical snapshot, capturing the aspirations, values, and sometimes the blind spots of WA's elite at a pivotal moment in history.
The Visions Within: From Education to Social Reform
The pages of 'The Ideal Western Australia' were filled with bold and often progressive ideas. Archdeacon C. G. Nicolay envisioned an education system that was free, secular, and compulsory—a radical notion for the time. He argued passionately for the state's responsibility to nurture intelligent and capable citizens from all backgrounds.
In the realm of social justice, Justice R. P. Haynes contributed a forward-thinking chapter. He dreamt of a Western Australia with no slums, where workers enjoyed fair wages and reasonable working hours. His ideal state included advanced workers' compensation and a robust government-run insurance scheme to protect its citizens from hardship.
Other notable visions included:
- Professor Walter Murdoch advocating for a great state university accessible to all.
- J. H. Monger, a pastoralist, promoting scientific agriculture and the settlement of the state's vast interior.
- Bishop C. O. L. Riley emphasising moral and spiritual welfare as the bedrock of society.
A Legacy of Aspiration and Unfulfilled Dreams
While 'The Ideal Western Australia' was a serious endeavour, it was not a formal policy document. Historians note that its direct impact on legislation was likely minimal. However, its true value lies as a cultural artefact. The book encapsulates the spirit of optimism and ambition that characterised pre-World War I Australia, a period soon to be shattered by the conflict.
The vision presented in 1912 was, in many ways, a product of its time. Notably absent were the voices of women, Indigenous Australians, and the working class. The ideal state was largely framed through the lens of its male, Anglo-Celtic establishment. Yet, within its pages are the seeds of ideas—like social security and universal education—that would take decades to fully germinate in Australian policy.
Today, this forgotten book offers a powerful lens through which to view Western Australia's journey. It prompts us to consider how far the state has come in realising those early 20th-century dreams and what ideals we hold for its future. The 1912 blueprint remains a poignant reminder of the perpetual human endeavour to imagine and build a better society.
