Joseph HARDEY

HARDEY, JOSEPH (b. Barrow upon Humber, Lincolnshire, England, 29 April 1804; d. Perth, WA, 1 Sept 1875). Methodist pioneer in WA.

Third son of Robert Hardey MD of Hull, a longstanding Wesleyan, Joseph Hardey was converted in his thirteenth year during revival meetings in his parish but it was some time before the certainty of Christ's atoning death fully possessed him. Six years after his conversion he became a local preacher and served in this capacity for more than 50 years.

In 1829 Barnard Clarkson, a Yorkshire banker, Joseph Hardey and his brother John Wall Hardey, chartered a ship, the 500 ton Tranby and had her refitted to carry a party of Methodist migrants to the Swan River Colony (WA) arriving 3 Feb 1830. As soon as they had erected their tents, Joseph Hardey raised a family altar on the beach and conducted a service of thanksgiving for their safe arrival in their new home. He was quickly recognized as the leader of this little Methodist community of immigrants.

The group seriously considered moving on to Van Diemen's Land, but the governor granted the Hardey brothers a tract of land suitable for farming a few miles north of where the city of Perth is now situated. Several other Methodist families were given similar grants of land nearby. The new colonists now settled down to establish themselves in their new country. Joseph Hardey and several other local preachers regularly conducted services and classes in their homes. Soon after their arrival Hardey sought permission from the governor to conduct open-air services and an entry in his diary reads, 'Sunday 6 June 1830, preached under a tree'. Today a plaque, placed in the pavement of Hay Street pedestrian mall, marks this very important spot. For some time the Methodists continued to meet under that tree. Then in June 1834, Joseph Hardey officially opened the first permanent Methodist chapel in the new colony. It was situated in Murray Street where the Tranby Day Centre for homeless people is now situated.

Joseph kept a well documented diary and besides recording developments on his 'Peninsular Farm' in Maylands there are frequent references to his religious activities. It was 10 years before the first ordained Wesleyan minister arrived in the colony and throughout all these years Joseph Hardey stood out distinctly as the spiritual leader of the Methodists. Through his leadership that church grew to the stature of the Methodist Church in WA. On the morning of 1 Sept 1875 sudden illness, a heart attack, prostrated him.

Ronald E Turner, Foundations Not Made with Hands (Perth, 1984); Wesley Lutton, The Wesley Story (Perth, 1970); Joseph Hardey, Diary (Battye Library, Perth)

JAMES H CAIN