Founded in the summer of 1930-31, the Winnit Club is Rottnest Island’s longest-standing volunteer organisation.
While founding members initially came together for fun and fellowship during annual sailing and camping trips to Rottnest, they soon decided that they wanted to give something back to their favourite Island.
Today, it is virtually impossible to find a spot on the Island that hasn’t benefited from the efforts of the Winnits.
And in recognition of the enormous contribution made to the Island by many generations of Winnits, one of the accommodation units in Thomson Bay now bears the proud name ‘Villa Winnit’.
What is a Winnit?
According to ancient tales passed down through generations of Club members, a Winnit is a mysterious cat-like animal, green in colour, with a prominent purple spot under its tail! Legend has it that early club members were privy to fleeting sightings of the cat-like animal in the vicinity of the club tent. Close inspection of the club emblem will provide you with some explanation for such a sighting, and nevertheless, the green cat remains the camp mascot to this day and is held like a gavel by anybody wishing to address the group. Some of the Winnit’s most significant projects include:
The Nursing Post
In 1960 the Winnits, supported by the Rottnest Island Board, built the Island’s first Nursing Post. The tiny First Aid Post was staffed by a full-time nurse, whose salary was covered by the small fees charged for convenient, on-the-spot treatment made available on Rottnest. This post operated until 1984, when the new Nursing Post opened its doors as an annex of Fremantle Hospital.
Beach Access Paths & Bike Racks
Concerned about the degradation of beaches and dunes by the increasing number of visitors streaming to Rottnest, the Winnits have built numerous beach access paths, as well as installed fences and bike racks.
Oliver Hill & Rottnest Railway
The Winnits have contributed hundreds of hours of voluntary labour to turning the dilapidated Oliver Hill Gun Battery into a popular tourist attraction. They have also assisted the Rottnest Island Railway Trust by constructing railway stations along the track.
The Quokka Shelter
Another popular tourist attraction constructed by the Winnits is the Quokka Shelter and Boardwalk. In addition, the Club also gets involved in many ‘behind the scenes’ projects that are vital for the enjoyment of the Island by visitors and residents alike. In 1992, for example, the Winnits provided the labour for the installation of a lighting system at the Rottnest Airport.
Miles of Boardwalks
The impact of the more than 450,000 visitors who come to Rottnest annually places a degree of pressure on the Island’s fragile flora and fauna. But thanks to the continued efforts of the Winnits, visitors can enjoy the Island’s rugged beauty without harming the environment or themselves!
In 1993, the Club built an impressive boardwalk at West End to protect the ground-nesting sheerwater birds and fragile limestone cliffs. In 2000, a staircase was constructed from Bathurst Lighthouse to Pinkys Beach to protect the sand dune from further erosion.
