At 10.59 am on 14 October 1968, the small town of Meckering about 130 km east of Perth was destroyed by an earthquake that measured 6.9 on the Richter scale. The earthquake was felt throughout the southern half of the State and caused damage in the surrounding townships, particularly York and Northam, and in the Perth Metropolitan area.

Prior to the earthquake, the Meckering township consisted of 51 occupied dwellings; 12 private business premises and 15 buildings devoted to Government, public or sporting uses. Buildings which survived the earthquake and were still usable were reduced to 16 houses and three business premises. Approximately 20 people were injured.

The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 1968 damage at $1.5 million, with the 2012 estimated normalised cost of $57 million.