CONSULTANTS

Gathered here is the team of devoted people who are working together researching the local history. Each are specialists in their own fields and are determined to find and preserve the past history of Pickering Brook.

HISTORIAN & WEB SITE MANAGER

GORDON FREEGARD

Born in 1942 to a farming family in southwest Western Australia. Moved with family to Pickering Brook in 1980 from Roleystone. Established business growing Chrysanthemums and supplying flowergrowers needs. Previous occupations have been Nurseryman, Lawnmowing Contractor, Visual Merchandiser and Wholesale - Retail Business Owner. He retired in 2017.
Two grown children who both attended Pickering Brook Primary School. Daughter, Christine is married to Roger and living in Stoneville with grand-daughter Ella.  Son, Tim lives with partner, Heather in Pickering Brook with grandson Sam.
Gordon became interested in the past history of the area and saw a need to save and preserve it for future generations. Since 2008 he has been very interested in early history of Pickering Brook and surrounding areas. In the preservation of it, he has spent hundreds of hours researching, interviewing and  compiling the history . Two of his greatest achievements is having been instrumental in establishing an award winning website for the Pickering Brook Heritage Group and writing the book "History of Pickering Brook and Surrounding Areas".  And now is very excited establishing this new website with a great supporting team of qualified consultants.
Since having a serious bout of cancer a few years ago, he now looks at life somewhat different. Finding time to relax, unwind and enjoy the company of family and friends.
Also his other achievements is the honour of being awarded Life Memberships of The Western Australian Chrysanthemum Society and The Chameleon Society of W.A. He has been heavily involved in suicide prevention of people suffering from gender dysthoria and sexual orientation, by counselling and supporting. He is a serious collector of Sewing Machines, having one of the largest collections in Australia. He also collects Knitting Machines, Australiana Books and Tins.
Enjoys the peace and quiet, the fresh air and space of living in Pickering Brook.
Gordon tries to accept and respect all people as they are - warts and all.

LOCAL HISTORY CONSULTANT

HELEN SKEHAN   

Helen's parents, Ray and Flo Owen, both descended from early pioneers of Pickering Brook. Ray was the son of Oliver Owen who with grandfather, Edward took up land in 1893, on which the family established an orchard. Helen's mother was Flo Hewison, daughter of William & Helen Hewison who moved from Barton's Mill in 1914 to take over the Pickering Brook Store.
Helen was born in 1936 and was brought up in a family that was always interested in local history, with both Mum & Dad telling many stories of growing up, and early schooling in the area. Her father, Ray's love of family and local history, meant he became a member in the very early days of the Kalamunda & Districts Historical Society
Over many years she researched both the Hewison and Owen families and was amazed to learn that her paternal great-grandfather, Henry Passmore, had been the Warder/Engineer on the dredge "Black Swan" which spent 4 years on the Canning River deepening the channel along the so-called "Convict Fence" first built by convicts in the 1860's at the request of Ben Mason of Mason & Bird's Mill.
In 1958 she married Police Officer Peter Skehan. It is a quirk of history that they built a house near the Canning River, not far from the site of the convict camp where her Great-grandfather, Henry Passmore anchored the dredge after each day's work.
She has enjoyed helping Gordon document the History of Pickering Brook and the Perth Hills area. His work has become known across the world; without his involvement, the history, and the photographs would possibly have been lost forever.

LOCAL HISTORY CONSULTANT

MALCOLM "MAC" BEARD

The Beard Family operated the Pickering Brook Store for many years and Mac helped his father on the delivery rounds throughout the district twice weekly. He was born at Subiaco on 11th September 1931 and has lived in Pickering Brook nearly all his life. Having been a truckdriver, driller and a very popular and successful schoolbus driver, he is now happy enjoying his retirement.
One of his greatest achievements in life was marrying his wife Pam. They have 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
Asked what he likes about Pickering Brook he says. "Bloody everything, the freedom, the bush and the company of the good people that live here." 
Mac was a foundation member of the Pickering Brook Heritage Group since its conception in 1994. He has volunteered to be a consultant on this new team because he wanted to leave something for the kids about the way things were, the hardships the early pioneers put up with, and the improvements over the years. Mac has such a wealth of knowledge and information about the area, that he is a very valuable member of the group. His storytelling and "tall" yarns are something to behold.
He would like to travel the Canning Stock Route, and maybe a trip to the Gulf of Carpenteria and through the north-west of our state.

LOCAL HISTORY CONSULTANT

TOM PRICE

Born to Gladys and Hector Price in 1943, Tom still wakes up each morning with a passion for meeting the challenges of running "Illawarra Orchard". He is very proud to own this beautiful property situated in a valley at the beginning of Kangaroo Creek.
His Grandfather Thomas Price, after whom Tom was named, became manager and one-third share-holder of "Illawarra Orchard" in 1899. This was when the Price Family's journey began. Tom idolised his grandfather, who taught and inspired him in countless ways. His vision, which Tom follows, was to grow the best possible fruit and to develop a work ethic that treated the land and it's people with dignity. Tom believes strongly in honesty and cannot tolerate people that cheat particularly in the products they produce.
Tom was brought up in a loving family environment and with true Christian teachings. His father's philosophy was that if you were going to do a job, then to do it to the best of your ability and that the first cost should be the last cost. As a third generation owner of "Illawarra Orchard", Tom has tried to make these objectives his own.
Tom has two children and six lovely grandchildren. He enjoys growing roses and vegetables and loves his chooks. He reckons his grandfather would be proud of him.
In recent years Tom has developed a passion for the history, not only of his property and his family, but of surrounding settlements and the bush between them. The more he learns the more he wants to know, before access to the information disappears. He is very excited about becoming a consultant on this new team and helping in their endeavours to remember and preserve the history and the hardships of our pioneer families.
He is inspired and supported by his wife, Renee, in all he does - much the same as his mother did for his father all those years ago. When he wakes in the morning and sees the robins and the blue wrens outside the window, he feels truly blessed.