The burnt smell lingered even after two weeks, following a fire late last month which destroyed one of the oldest branches of conservation and revegetation group, the Wildflower Society.
On Sunday, October 19, Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said a caller reported seeing flames and smoke coming from a property on Albany Highway just before 6am.
DFES said firies attended the scene and extinguished the fire about four hours later.
“The cause could not be determined due to the level of damage,” a DFES spokesperson said.
“It is not being treated as suspicious.”
Formed in 1961, Wildflower Society Armadale president Roger Harington said the group was part of the area’s history.
“A few tears have been shed but we’ve just come to terms with it,” he said.
Mr Harington said a part of history was gone with the building burnt to ashes.
“One of the items we lost in there was the Banksia Award,” he said.
“It was a national award for environmental regeneration and we came first out of 36 nominees.
“There’s a lot of historical information gone as well. Not just from the Wildflower Society but from the other groups as well.
“It’s the small things you build up over the years and you don’t value them until you want to go and use them.”
The City of Armadale said the Settlers’ Common Environmental Centre was also home to other environmental groups, including the Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group.
“The loss also affects all of the city’s Bushcare Environmental Working Group (BEWG),” the city said.
“The centre hosted regular community meetings, training sessions and workshops focusing on Western Australian flora, fauna and environmental topics.”
Armadale Mayor Ruth Butterfield said the city was saddened by the loss of the centre.
“We understand the significance of this space to our community and we will be working closely with them as we plan for the future,” she said.
Mr Harington said the society had received a lot of offers from the community to help it get back on its feet.
“The Kelmscott Show offered to auction off some paintings,” he said.
“The Wildflower Society has lost very rare books so we’re getting a lot offers of donations from people around the state.”
The Kelmscott Agricultural Society’s auction of artworks from Allison Bell Art will be open until Sunday, November 9.
Mr Harington said the society was looking forward to rebuilding their new home.
“It’s always good to have a home,” he said.
“One where you can come and go – as it was.”
Photographs – Cindy Cartojano.
