What is Northam Army Camp?
As part of the overall build-up of Australia’s defences in 1934/35, the Department of the Army selected the Northam Army Camp site, which was located near an existing rifle range, for use as a training camp for Citizen Military Forces. Following the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, the camp became an important military training base for Western Australia - a role which has continued up to the present time.
Located about five kilometres south-west of Northam, the camp comprises about 70 accommodation huts and other ancillary buildings including a mess hall and a parade ground built by Italian POWs in 1946.
About This Website
This website has been developed by the Northam Army Camp Heritage Association Inc (NACHA) with funding assistance from Lotterywest’s Interpretation of Cultural Heritage grants program.
We are a non profit organisation whose aims include sharing the military, POW and migrant history of the camp with the broader community.
We hope you enjoy the Northam Army Camp experience and encourage you to contact us to tell us your stories about this important place.
Featured Video
Ernie Polis / POW
Historian Ernie Polis describes the lack of security present at the POW camp and the punishment given to anyone leaving the camp's boundary.
Ernie Polis interviewed by Judy Durey for Murdoch University & NACHA with sound produced by Rob Muir, 2008.
More about this experienceCamp Timeline
Pre-European Settlement
This area was part of the lands of the Ballardong people.
1829 – 1830
The first land grants were taken up in the Northam district.
1871
The Northam Road Board was gazetted.
1879
Northam became a municipality.
1886
The Eastern Railway arrives in Northam in 1886.
1896
In this year, a Mounted Rifle Troops was formed.
1903
CY O’Connor’s Golden Pipeline completed.
1910
National Training was introduced for young boys.
1914
The Australian Imperial Force was raised.
1935
The Army establish a permanent camp at Northam because of its strategic position.
1935 – 1939
The camp was planned, cleared and some permanent buildings erected.
1939
An intense building program was started at the Northam Army Camp with 175 huts erected in one month.
1939 – 1945
Northam Army Camp was the brigade training camp for the 2nd Australian Imperial Force.
1946
The camp housed 3500 Italian Prisoners of War (POWs).
1949 – 1951
Northam Army Camp began to operate as the Department of Immigration Accommodation Centre.
1950 – 1953
Northam Army Camp returned to its military role hosting training for personnel bound for the Korean War.
1950s – 1960s
Northam Army Camp fell into decline and a number of buildings were removed from the site.
1990s
The sale and removal of buildings as well as the Defence Department's plans to dispose of the site became a matter for public concern.
2004
A consultant's report estimated that "only about 52 of some 400 pre-1951 buildings remain".
2010
Australian Government announces establishment of an immigration detention centre at the site.
Present Day
Northam Army Camp is still used for military training.