I Remember When with Matthew Pavlinovich

Do you remember the suburb of Wexcombe?

Wexcombe was originally established back in the 1950’s as a migrant camp for new arrivals to Australia from Europe in the area we know today as Stratton. It is well remembered for the Nissen hut homes that dominated the area.

Amentities supporting the community included a general store and post office, recreation hall and a bus route to and from Midland, while the residents could join the glee club or soccer club.

As migrant trends evolved over the next decade, Wexcombe was to eventually become home to apprentices, workers and families of the WA Government Railways.

This provided cheap accommodation to the railway workers and the families. The area that now is occupied by Farrall Oval and the Stratton Park shopping centre was once the local sanitary depot.

As older parts of Midland, Midvale, Middle Swan and Wexcombe had no sewerage system like today, it was the council’s responsibility to collect full pans from the area in exchange for empty pans and the full pans ended up at this depot.

There was also a small shed structure close to the old Farrall Road and Sanitary Depot. This was home to the local pigeon club and eventually became a hall in the early years of Stratton. By the late 1970’s, Wexcombe had served its purpose and disappeared – buildings were removed and residents relocated.

The old road system was still visible through the bush up until the rise of Stratton in the early 1990’s.

Unfortunately, little remains of what was the suburb of Wexcombe today, but it’s a part of our local history that we should not forget.

If you have any memories you would like to share, email memories@realestateplus.com.au

Matthew Pavlinovich, marketing officer Real Estate Plus

Image from Johanna & Peter Ripp – Remember Midland Facebook Page.