Toodyay’s history in a free display of everyday, extraordinary lives

It’s always a pleasure to head down Reid Highway in the winter morning darkness, driving into the small Avon Valley town of Toodyay just as the sun rises and the warm, fragrant bakery opens its doors. Hot coffee and pies to eat on the balcony overlooking Stirling Terrace; a fresh wholemeal sourdough loaf to take away.

But that’s not the only reason I’m here. Regular readers of these pages might recall an article I wrote on Toodyay’s Nardie Cemetery. At the time, I resolved to visit all of Toodyay’s cemeteries. Nearly two years later I’m honouring that resolution, in part at least, by paying my respects to those interred at the Toodyay (Old Newcastle) Public Cemetery on Telegraph Road.