Subiaco Through the Ages: From Monastery to Metropolis
The leafy Perth suburb of Subiaco is now a bustling city well-known for its shops, cafes, wine bars and the ever popular Regal Theatre.
However, it hasn’t always been a cosmopolitan centre, popular with locals and tourists alike. The city has a rich history with humble beginnings. Settled in 1851 by Benedictine monks from Subiaco, Italy, the area soon developed into a distinct town centre resembling a European village.
In this talk. Richard Offen will trace the history of this town of distinction.
About Richard Offen
Richard Offen is a historian, lecturer, broadcaster and author. More recently, Richard has written the Perth editions of Pavilion Books’ very popular series ‘Then and Now’ and ‘Lost Perth’.
‘Perth Then and Now’ has the distinction of requiring a reprint before it hit the bookshop shelves and is now on the Australian ‘best seller’ list, having sold around 20,000 copies to date. Lost Perth has also now joined its companion of the Australian ‘best seller’ list. His third book for Pavilion Books, 'A Perth Camera' was published in November, 2022. Richard has also written histories of St Mary's Anglican Girls' School ('A Place to Grow' – published 2021) and Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School (‘The School in the Bush’ – also published in November, 2022).
In 2017, after twelve years in the post of Executive Director of Heritage Perth, Richard retired, but during that period gained great popularity as a lecturer and broadcaster on both radio and television. He is probably best known in Perth for his Monday morning history spot on the 720 ABC Breakfast Show with the late, much missed Eoin Cameron, and still regularly spots on ABC Perth and 6PR.
When not in his study/library, Richard is an active parishioner and Churchwarden of Christ Church, Claremont, sits on the Heritage Council of Western Australia; is President of both the Friends of the Battye Library and the Royal Western Australian Historical Society; and sits on the selection panel for the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia Hall of Fame.
