The Shire of Mullewa officially launched the fifth Mullewa Everlasting Cultural Trail, the Monsignor Hawes Heritage Walk on Easter Monday, April 13.

 

The Walk winds its way from the Town Hall to the iconic Hawes Church and Museum, recounting the life of Monsignor Hawes at interpretation points and featuring some of the renowned work of this remarkable priest and architect.

 

Mullewa has the greatest number of Hawes' buildings of any town in the Mid West, including the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Holy Apostles St Peter and St Paul, the Monsignor Hawes Priest House and Museum, Mass Rock on the outskirts of town and the headstone for Selby John Arnold in the town's Pioneer Cemetery.

 

Hawe’s perhaps most widely recognised work is Geraldton’s St Francis Xavier Cathedral and Nazareth House.

 

Hawes was Mullewa's first resident parish priest.

 

He arrived in the town in late 1920 and started building the church three years later.

 

It was to be his most personal and most original church, as he wrote at the time,
“I am building into these stones at Mullewa, poor little feeble church that it is, my convictions, aspirations and ideals as to what a church should be.”

 

The Most Reverend Bishop Justin Bianchini DD, Geraldton Diocese, will officially open the walk at 9.30am at the trail head, Mullewa Town Hall on Maitland Road.

 

“The Hawes Walk compliments our range of trails, including the Town Heritage Trail and Rail Heritage Loop in and around town,” CEO of the Shire of Mullewa Tom Hartman said.

 

“We have already seen how popular the Wildflower Walk and Bushland Trail were during last year’s wildflower season, so we are pleased to be able to offer resident and visitors alike another chance to experience the fascinating history and beautiful hinterland of Mullewa.”

 

For more information on the Everlasting Cultural Trails, visit www.mullewatourism.com.au.