The original settlers of the Guildford and Swan Valley region are the Noongar people who have lived in the area for over 40,000 years. Noongar creation stories tell of the giant serpent or crocodile-like creature, the Wagyl, travelling from the hills to the east to the ocean in the west, creating the Swan River on its way. The Swan River is the Wagyl’s home and, according to legend, it continues to reside there today.

It was the fertile soil of the Swan Valley that led to the first European settlement at Guildford soon after the Swan River Colony was established by Captain James Stirling in 1829.

Blocks of land on both sides of the river were quickly assigned to eager settlers. When Guildford was surveyed at the end of 1829, 94 blocks were made available to soldiers, agriculturalists, yeomen and servants released from their indentures.

Captain Stirling set aside 4,000 acres for his future “country retreat” which he had named Woodb ridge during his exploratory journey up the river in 1827. The Swan River quickly became the first highway through the region and Guildford developed into a busy and important river port and trading centre until the 1880’s.

Much of Guildford’s original town plan, including the central church square, subdivision and general land use, remains as it was, leaving a largely-intact early 19th century English market town. A visit provides a rare glimpse into early colonial settlement with many fine, well-preserved civic, commercial and private buildings dating from the 1840s through to the 1920s and 1930s.’ …Thanks to the City of Swan

Why Lilac Quest? There is our historical Lilac Hill Park location as our starting venue. Maybe someone will play some cricket and we also have some colours on our quest.

As well as mapped location controls with allocated points, there will be additional points for answering questions at many of the controls.

We have a mixture of historical signage, sleuthing, open eyes and distance navigation.

You will need to meander, look and search to gain points. This is aimed at moving the emphasis away from a purely physical competition and towards a need to balance distance against some historical investigation. Remember to bring your reading glasses!

Some will feel the need to compete and 'go for it', of course, but we think you may get more out of this event by soaking up the surroundings and reading the stories behind some of the interesting places we'll take you to. You can walk around as much or as little as you wish, or sit and drink coffee around the traditional village-style
square.

Overall, this is intended to be a light-hearted way to end the 2010 Rogaining season with a maximum point score for the year, and the barbecue at the end is included as part of the event!

We have found a well-known and attractive historical gathering area at Lilac Hill Park adjacent to Barkers Bridge on the banks of the Swan River, so come along and enjoy the company and the venue. You can bring a compass – however you may not need it.

This event is open to all - both members and also friends and non-members can enter! So bring a friend, partner, family or the kids along and introduce them to the joys of Rogaining in a friendly, relaxed and nonphysically-challenging manner during a beautiful time of the year! Being a novelty event, they don’t even have to be members.

The sausage sizzle at the end of the event will be a great time to sit back, relax, and socialize with other rogainers while waiting for the results to be collated.

You can even get to the event by train - only a 10 minute walk from Guildford Station! How about that for convenience!

Did we mention that the World Rogaining Championships are on on the same day - so all the guns, like Ricky and Wil, will not be competing - here is your chance to get a good placing.