Memory, mystery fuel social media page

Megan Lawless’s passion for the past has compelled her efforts to solve one of Bunbury’s biggest historical mysteries.

The inspiration came from a photograph of her grandmother taken on her wedding day in 1950.

The iconic photo, snapped on Constitution Street in South Bunbury, is now the face of the popular social media page Memories of Bunbury.

“There once was a cannon on the war memorial in town, it got taken down and replaced by the soldier – I want to find out where it went,” she said.

“The only information we have, is that when it was taken down in 1920, it went to one of the Mayor’s gardens.”

Megan originally created the social media page Memories of Bunbury to research her heritage, but the photo sharing page followed by more than 5000 people is also helping to unravel Bunbury’s history.

“I put a post up (on the web page), saying this is what the cannon looks like and would anyone know anything about it and we’ve had a number of responses about cannons all over the place,” she said.

“Someone out there will know where it is and why it’s there. We just need to do the measurements and find the right one.”

Megan said during her trip down memory lane she had also discovered a number of things about herself.

“My great grandfather was a convict from England and his descendants are now spread throughout Bunbury,” she said.

“Every time I post a family photo I’ve got people saying ‘that’s my relative as well’.

“I have just met so many new people and had so many new family members pop up.”

Megan feels her desire to keep Bunbury’s past alive has brought the community closer together.

“I am happy bringing people back to their childhood and all the good memories of that time,” she said.

“There is an overwhelming sense of community. Families are getting together and going over to the grandparents’ house and going over old photos for hours.

“People love it there is a feeling of camaraderie, there are no nasty posts, just people looking out for each other.

“There is so much history to tell and Memories of Bunbury wouldn’t work without the people in the community who have spent time digging through their treasures and transferring old photos and videos onto the internet.”