Published 13 May 2026
Escape the winter weather and hear from seasoned storytellers and experts sharing the lesser-known tales of Bunbury’s histories with our Winter Warmer program. Always different, always entertaining, all welcome.
Our presenter for this session is Sue Hobson
Date: Sunday 19 July 2026
Time: 1.30pm - 3pm
What would you do if you kept stumbling across objects in the street that bore your own family name? For Sue Hobson, it sparked a fascinating journey into one of Western Australia's lesser-known industrial histories. Cast iron pillar boxes - once a familiar fixture on Perth's streets and in country towns across the state - were predominantly made by a local firm, which clearly marked each pillar box it made: J & E Ledger. But who were the Ledgers, and how did they come to leave their mark, quite literally, all over Western Australia? Join Sue as she unravels the story behind the name, the firm, and the beautifully crafted objects that connect her to her own forebears.
Free entry, RSVPs are encouraged. Coffee & tea available.
Presenter Bio:
Perth –born Sue Hobson gained a Bachelor of Commerce from UWA, before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant whilst working for international accounting firm KPMG. For many years, she worked in finance roles in the arts, firstly with Western Australian Opera and then with Artrage (Perth’s Fringe World Festival), roles which combined her professional skills with her love of the performing arts. Underpinning her professional life is a deep passion for Western Australian and family history. In 2015, Sue published Cast Iron Pillar Boxes of Western Australia: An Early History of the J & E Ledger Foundry, and has since been a sought-after speaker on the topic. In 2022, her research into her convict ancestor, Joseph Ledger Sowden, saw her shortlisted for the prestigious Margaret Medcalf Award.
About the Winter Warmer program:
The Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre presents Winter Warmers, a series of free talks and workshops celebrating local history, learning and storytelling every Sunday afternoon from June to August. Always different, always entertaining, all welcome.
Visit our website to see which topics are coming up.
About the Museum:
The Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre is located at 1 Arthur Street, Bunbury. Opening hours: 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays).
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