HISTORY OF THE HARVEY SHIRE
Early European settlement in the Harvey Shire
dates back to the 1840’s when the first settlers arrived at
Australind. At about the same time settlers were also moving
southwards from Pinjarra to the Harvey River. The
Harvey district was considered a superior choice with the abundance
of streams, a good climate and rich soils.
By the late 1890’s the Harvey
River area had become renowned for its orchards while the
Australind hinterland was acknowledged as a mixed farming and
dairying area. In 1845 a bridge was built over the
Brunswick River giving rural settlers easier
access to the settlement of Australind. Timber was also recognised
as a major industry in the Shire by the turn of the century.
Harvey eventually outgrew Brunswick with the
completion of the Harvey River diversion which enabled thousands of
hectares of land, previously prone to winter flooding, to be
cultivated. Harvey is home to three dams, Harvey Dam,
Stirling Dam and Logue Brook Dam. The Harvey Weir was constructed
and officially opened in 1916 and some time later, the Stirling Dam
was completed by 1947.
A major irrigation system was developed making
Harvey an important agricultural centre for dairying, beef and
horticultural pursuits which has continued into the present
day. Citrus fruit, table and wine grapes, emu farming and
other agricultural products are continually developing within the
Shire.
Simcoa Operations is a fully
integrated silicon smelting operation located in the
Kemerton Industrial Park. Bauxite and mineral
sands mining developed as significant industries within a
controlled environment, eventuating in the Kemerton Industrial
Park, within the Shire of Harvey. These factors of
Simcoa and Alcoa together with
the management of native and plantation forests have made the Shire
one of the fastest growing country localities and an interesting
district for tourists to visit.
Alcoa......Australia's
aluminium since 1963 has been a vital part of the West Australian
community and economy. Alcoa is the global leader in alumina
production and Australia's sixth largest resource sector exporter.
Cristal Global - Millennium
Inorganic Chemicals is the second largest titanium dioxide producer
in the world and employes approximately 3,700 people worldwide.
Harvey Fresh is WA's largest distributor of fresh
produce. Brunswick Diesel is Australia's biggest
diesel engine converting company. The Harvey region
has something to satisfy everyone.
Being such a diverse Shire with several
population centres and major industries of agriculture, mining and
timber, tourism has emerged as a new growth industry. With
new subdivisions in progress throughout the district and
continious further industrial developments the Shire of
Harvey is advancing dramatically, ready to take on the challenge of
the next 100 years.
HARVEY DISTRICT LOGO AND SLOGAN
Project Coordinators: The Harvey District Tourist Bureau Inc. in
conjunction with the Harvey Shire Council. Sponsored by the Harvey
Shire Council. Launched Thursday 20/5/1999. To provide a
dynamic, modern and positive promotional logo and slogan to
represent the Harvey Shire District. GRAPHIC DESIGNER; Denise
Mercer.
SLOGAN: 'A Breath of Fresh Air.'
The Harvey District has a sense of freshness about it. Fresh
produce, fresh water, a clean and green landscape abounding with
natures goodness. A unique district which offers a genuine friendly
country attitude and a fresh, dynamic and invigorating lifestyle. A
place to breathe deep and relax, surrounded by the best that nature
has to offer.
LOGO:
At first glance the image is of a gumleaf, representative of
forests, nature and fresh air. Within the leaf is a sweeping
landscape, flowing river, rolling hills, pastures, crisp produce
and a tantalizing glimpse of coastline. The enduring sun sits on
the horizon...is it rising over the hills or setting over the
ocean? Take a different view and discover a hidden gumleaf - like
the Harvey Shire District our logo is fresh, dynamic and full of
wonderful surprises!
MAY GIBBS
Arrived in Australia aboard the ship S.S
Hesperus in 1881, at the age of four. May's parents Herbert and
Cecie Gibbs, has left England to try their hand at farming in
Australia. After landing in Adelaide, the young family settled on
land one hundred kilometres to the north west of the city, only to
be driven back to Adelaide by drought.
Herbert and his brother George formed a partnership with Dr. Henry
Harvey and John Young and took up land on the 'Harvey Estate' in
Western Australia. Herbert, with son Bertie and brother George
sailed to 'The Harvey" in 1885, leaving Cecie to follow with May
and Ivan. The family settled into life and "The Homestead" on the
fertile banks of the Harvey River and stayed there for two
years.
The Homestead was built when the Estate WA owned
by Governor Stirling - sometime in the early to mid 1800's.
Features of the cottage were its hexagonal shaped paving blocks and
sheoak shingled roof, fruit trees surrounding the cottage. May,
along with brother Bertie and Ivan would take long walks through
the bush, turning over stones, examining flowers and birds nests,
and swimming in the river pools. At the age on nine, May was given
a pony which she rode around the district, visiting the neighbours
farms. As there was no school in the area, the children were given
lessons by their own mother at home. May displayed an early talent
for drawing and was encouraged by her father, himself a talented
artist. In later years May described her time in Harvey as "the two
happiest years" of her life.
In 1887, after struggling to run the farm at a
profit, the Gibbs family moved to Perth. May's Uncle George and new
wife Ellen decided to stay on in Harvey. May spent many holidays at
her Uncle George's house - visiting her younger cousins and
wandering through the bush. May continued to visit Harvey for many
years, entertaining her young cousins with stories and
caricatures.
May went on to become one of Australia's best
known and most loved authors and her illustrations have charmed
children for many generations. It is believed that May Gibbs drew
much of her inspiration for her stories and illustratons from her
experiences in Harvey.
STIRLING'S COTTAGE
In the mid 1800’s, the first Governor of Western
Australia, Governor Stirling, selected 12,800 acres of fertile land
in Harvey called it the ‘Harvey River Settlement. The only
improvement he made to the land was to build a cottage, known as
“The hut”. This convict built cottage, on the banks of the
tranquil Harvey River, featured a shingled roof and ‘pit-sawn’
jarrah walls with hexagonal-shaped paving blocks fitted together to
form firm flooring. One of the original paving blocks can be
seen in the Cottage history room today. Stirling’s Cottage is
modeled on a homestead built by the first Governor of Western
Australia, Governor Stirling, on his Harvey Estate in the mid
1800’s.
The Old
The original cottage was also home to May Gibbs,
creator of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, in 1885. May Gibbs books and
illustrations are part of Australian culture, children growing up
with her stories. Her adventures are about 'gumnut babies',
little bush babies with bush flowers on their heads and very cute
bottoms! It is believed that May Gibbs drew much of her
inspiration for her stories and illustrations from her
experiences in Harvey.
The original cottage was surrounded by gardens
and fruit trees, and had a cellar which was often flooded in
winter. A blacksmiths workshop and stables were added.
Over the years, the cottage fell into disrepair, and by the end of
the 1960’s only a few bricks and stones remained. A lone pine
tree marked the site of the Cottage, but this was blown down during
a storm in 1985.
The New
On Sunday 9th October 1994, the replica
Stirling’s Cottage was open to the public. Modelled on the original
‘Stirling’s Cottage', this building, built by Pannett Homes,
features the shingled roof, jarrah walls and hexagonal paving
blocks of the original. A balcony has been added overlooking
the tranquil Harvey River.
The 1994 version of the cottage is located 500
metres downstream from the original site and features extensive
landscaped Heritage Gardens, a 19th century style fountain, a
mini orchard, enchanting secret garden, a May Gibbs feature
room and gift shop, a room on local history and ’Stirling’s Cottage
Kitchen’ tearooms. Enjoy a light lunch or afternoon tea on
the balcony overlooking the peaceful River, or in winter sit by the
cozy log fire and enjoy hearty homemade soup.
Public toilets are in a separate building called
’The Stables’. Disabled facilities are located in
the Harvey Visitor Centre (next to the Cottage). Please
feel free to wander around and enjoy your visit to ’Stirling
Cottage’.
HARVEY HERITAGE TRAIL
From the 1830's the Harvey area was known as
"Korijekup" the Aboriginal word meaning "The place of the Red
Tailed Black Cockatoo." Early explorers named the Harvey River and
by the 1890's the Korijekup Estate became known as Harvey Estate.
As the township took shape near the turn of the century,
it became known as Harvey.
1. Replica of Stirling
Cottage
A replica of a cottage built about the
1850's on land owned by Sir James Stirling near Harvey River about
500 metres upstream from this site. The original cottage was lived
in by May Gibbs, creator of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, during
the 1880's . Features of the original cottage were hexagonal
paving blocks fitted together as flooring "pit sawn" Jarrah walls
and a sheoak shingled roof all recreated in this replica of
Stirling's Cottage.
2. Internment Camp #11 Memorial
Shrine: Classified by the National Trust
The Shrine was built in 1941 by Italian internees held at the
Harvey Interment Camp during WWII. The camp held up to 1000
internees and 200 soldiers. For 50 years the Shrine stood in an
open paddock. In 1992 a chapel was built around the Shrine to
protect it from the elements. 123 German P.O.W seamen survivors of
the HSK Kormoran around the age of 20 and 818
Italian men. Amidst the horrors and misunderstandings of a
World war these men were representing both sides of the conflict
while living in peace and harmony. Hut: Each Hut held 30
internees 1940 - 1942. Prison: The original prison cells for
the camp. Read more below.
3. Masonic Hall: Classified by the
Nation Trust
The rear section was built in 1914 with the front part of the
building with its unusual architecture added in 1934.
4. Snells Park
Mr. Alf Snell whose efforts the Harvey Town gardens were first
formed originally gifted Snell Park to the Shire in 1936.
Since then it has grown and changed with each new gardener or town
caretaker. Today it boasts a number of old roses, gazebo,
hundreds of bulbs, 2 arches and brightly coloured garden beds.
Snell park is widely used by the community and is a relaxing
spot to eat your lunch or a family gathering. Toilets
available.
5. C.W.A Room
(Country Women's Association) Built in 1933. Situated in Snells
Park. In the 1950's a group of women would congregate in this small
Room. The club was known as the Virginian's Club.
6. Harvey
House
This brick shop as built in Hayward Street
during 1913. Harvey House served the town as tearooms until the
1940's. Since then it has been a Newsagency.
7. Challenge Bank: Classified by the
National Trust
Built in 1938 as the Bank of New South Wales. In more recent years
it has bee modernised becoming the Westpac Bank in 1982 and the
Challenge Bank in 1997.
8. Cafe On Uduc and
Residence
Built in 1932 as Feazey's Bakery and became Campbell's Bakery,
later it became the towns tearooms, Part of the residence has been
beautifully restored as a restaurant.
9. Harvey Council Chambers:
Classified by the National Trust.
This Art Deco
style building was added onto the Town Hall in 1935 as the Council
Chambers.
10. Harvey Town Hall: Classified by
the National Trust
The main hall was built in 1914
with money fundraised by the people of Harvey. Soon afterwards WWII
broke out and the Drill Hall was added in 1915 as a military hall.
The main hall was extended in 1935 with the addition of the present
stage.
11. Church of England
Hall
The timber church of England was built in 1906 on Young Street
north of the Harvey Primary School.
12. Uniting Church
Hall
The timber building was built as the Methodist Church in 1924.
13. War Memorial
Library
Built in 1920 as a War Memorial to the Harvey soldiers killed in
WA.
14. Harvey Grandstand and Entrance
Gates
Constructed in 1936 by J. Johnston. The
grandstand was built for the purpose of viewing the Harvey Trots,
which were first held under electric lights the same year.
15. Roman Catholic
Church
Built in 1932 and used as a church until a
new (Our Lady of the Immigrants) Roman Catholic Church was built in
1972. The old church is still in its original condition with timber
floor and dado.
16. R.S.L. Hall
Built in 1938 showing a different type of architecture for that era
at the front of the building. The interior is still in its original
condition with timber floor and dado.
17. Harvey Primary
School
The small timber building on the east end of the long brick block
was built in 1901. The first red brick was added on in 1909, with
further additions of a brick classroom and teacher's room in
1927, and another classroom in 1934. The old school served Harvey
as classrooms for generations. It is now Pre-School centre.
18. Railway
Station
The railway line from Perth to Bunbury was
completed in 1893 and soon afterwards the Railway Station was
built. In 1936 the Railway Station was extended and the building
improved with the addition of rustic weatherboards to the exterior
and the roof tiled. For many years the Railway Station was the
central point of activity for the district. By 1987, with the
introduction of the modern "Australind" train, the Railway Station
was no longer needed and closed. The Station now housed the Harvey
Museum and is the only Railway Station remaining in the Shire of
Harvey. The Museum is open to the public on the 1st, 3rd and 5th
Sunday of Every month, 2pm - 4pm. Ph: 9729 1685
19. The Old Post
Office
Now the S.E.S. building, built in 1923 and
used as the Post Office until 1957.
20. Harvey Hotel
In October 1898, Alexander Thomas Smith opened Harvey's first
hotel, which was built behind the site of the present hotel
currently known as the Harvey Hotel. It was
a single storey wooden building and named the Korijekup
Hotel. A brick Korijekup Hotel was built about 1907 and
after the second story was added (about 1915), it became known as
the Harvey Hotel. The building is a large
Federation style, two storey brick building with corrugated iron
hip roof vented at the peaks. An intersecting half timbered
gable from the middle of the roof and another over the corner
facing the road intersection. Both floors have a full
verandah running the length of the Harper Street frontage.
These verandahs are supported on full height timber posts, which in
the case of the upper floor are linked by an open railed balustrade
punctuated with panel balusters, decorated with a cut-out 'leaf'
shape (as mentioned above). The posts also have decorative
grooved tops and a flat arched beam between each pair. The
hotel interior features high ceilings, jarrah pannelled walls and a
central staircase. Leadlight windows featuring an Art Deco
geometric pattern and 1930s style furnishings indicate a revamping
during the Inter War period. There is also a large stone
fireplace and several brick chimneys with enlarged corbelled heads
featuring four terracotta chimney pots on each.
21. Harvey River
Diversion
1930 - 1935 (20km). A Government Scheme during the depression
employed 2,500 men to dig the diversion to divert water directly to
the sea as the old Harvey River flooded over land
as it wound its way to its natural outlet in the estuary near
Mandurah. The clay section of the Diversion (first 10km) was dug by
a coal fired drag line. The second section (second 10kms) was dug
by hand. 2,500 men used shovels, wheelbarrows and horse and carts
removed the sand to form the man made river.
22. Commemorative
Plaques
a) In memory of thousands of men who worked on the Harvey
River Diversion.
b) A plaque commemoration Sir James Stirling who explored and took
possession of land in the locality of Harvey in 1837.
INTERNMENT CAMP MEMORIAL SHRINE
200 meter walk, north of the Harvey Visitor
Centre (Shrine entry key is available from
the Centre). At the beginning of WWII
Mussolini and Hitler joined forces and declared war on Great
Britain and France. As a result all German and Italian
migrants living in the allied countries were categorised as
enemies. They were subsequently interned in camps. One of
these camps was situated in Harvey with about 1,000 Internees. One
of the prisoners instigated the construction of an altar made of
stone, depicting their Catholic faith. This Shrine still
stands today and was enclosed in a chapel in 1992. It is
believed to be the only roadside shrine of its kind in Australia.
Housed in the chapel are several sculptures and an “Australia
Remembers” static display. The Shrine is a popular tourist
attraction depicting an important part of our history.
The Shrine
An original shrine or alter that was built by
the Italian Internees during WWII.
A shelter-come-Chapel was built around it, but the Shrine itself
has never been moved. This Shrine is now listed as a National Trust
Monument and is the only roadside Shrine of its kind in Australia.
It is all that remains of Harvey No.11 Interment Camp which
operated from September 1940 to April 1942. It was built by the
internees and was originally conceived as a small chapel which was
intended to be illuminated at night.
Project Designer: Giuseppe Raneri,
Stonemason: Giovanni Boschetti,
Construction Assistant: Gaetano Tomba.
Materials were gathered from within the barbed
wire enclosure and consisted of local field sandstone and selected
granite. Semi-circular I form with two low walls supporting the
well formed curve of its GOTHIC ARCH, it has its main feature a
NICHE set into a high wall. This shelter's a crucifix fixed into a
three-tiered, ziggurat shaped pedestal. A steeply pitched cement
frieze was engraved upon it with the letters IHS. The
symbolism of the inscriptions is complex:
Look for these symbols;
IHS: Jesus (Greek)
A.XX: Annon 20 (Latin) The building was constructed
in 1940, the 20th year of Fascism in Italy.
I.H.S.V: In HOC Signo Vinces (Latin) Translates as
"In this sign we will conquer." A historical reference,
to Constantine's vision of a cross in 312 AD which
influenced him into becoming a Christian.
LASCIANO: (Italian) Built to commemorate the Italian Internees
at Harvey Camp No.11 HARVEY.
Personal Experience
Luigi Camporeale, a former Civil Internee, has written of his
experience of this time.
"I was a fisherman and I was 400 miles north of Fremantle and 100
miles north of Geraldton, when War was declared. After twelve days
travelling by boat we arrived at Geraldton. I didn't have time to
anchor the boat before Police came aboard to tell me and the crew
that we have only two days of freedom left. We had to turn
ourselves into them."
We were put in prison until all those selected
for internment from surrounding districts has been
gathered together. We were then taken by train to Fremantle.
We were kept in prison there for four days or five days, and then
on to Rottnest, This was temporary, because it was too small for
the 1400 Internees and there was not enough accommodation for all
of us. Our misfortune was that winter arrived. It was a really bad
season, raining every day, cold and with strong winds. They treated
us very well. We were accommodated in tents of eight, six and
four people. In November, 1940, we were moved again. At 10.00 am we
arrived in Fremantle, and a train was ready to take us to Harvey,
with Australian soldiers that were posted there. We arrived in the
dark and they put us temporarily in big huts because camp was not
ready.
Altogether 1,200 men arrived in Harvey, 200 of
them being Army Personnel, while the remained of the Internees were
sent to South Australia and the Northern Territory. In the Harvey
Camp, know as Camp No.11, the food and water were in abundance, and
of excellent quality. Some of the men had relatives in Harvey, who
were permitted to visit and bring gifts of food. However, they had
to remain outside the enclosing fence, so that no personal contact
was possible. During their presence there, over two years, the
Internees were not Idle, but, neither were they forced to work. The
surroundings bush was cleared, so that logs were made available for
use by outside Government Authorities. Three large Market Gardens
were established, and the resulting vegetable produce was sent to
Western Australia Military Camps. Shoemakers and Carpenters were
kept busy, as were the Blacksmiths since both men and horses needed
to be shod.
Transfer of Internees
Because the lights which illuminated the Camp during the night were
clearly visible from the ocean, it was deemed necessary to transfer
the Internees further inland. Thus Camp No.11 was vacated by the
Internees in 1942, but was used for training purposes for some time
after. Before the Army Authorities closed the Camp it was finally
dismantled. An Auction was held with many saleable objects,
together with buildings and equipment went under the hammer. At
least two of the Huts were acquired by the Agriculture School and
are still in use today. The detention Cells are now being used as
storerooms. To download the Camp map click here.
THE HIDDEN VALLEY
A History of the Harvey Valley before the
Dam
This records the story of three historic homesteads -
Nicklup, Jardup and
Glentana. The houses and surrounding farmland were
inundated by water when a new dam was built on the Harvey River in
2000-2002 as part of the Stirling-Harvey Redevelopment Scheme. The
original Harvey Weir, built in 1916 and raised in 1931, was also
inundated by the new dam. The history of the weir and the first
irrigation scheme is also recorded here. The Water Corporation is
committed to preserving the heritage of Western Australia, and
provided a display to record the story of these places and their
contribution to the history of the Harvey district.
Nicklup Homestead c
1860
William Clarke, son of Ephraim Clarke of Jardup,
established Nicklup in the early 1860s. Like other early settlers,
he built the homestead with materials available on site – jarrah
framing clad with dressed jarrah slabs, lined with clay plugging.
The roof, probably originally thatched, was later replaced with
corrugated iron. Also like other settlers, finding that the land
was not entirely suitable for sheep, Clarke diversified into
cattle, produce gardens and fruit trees. In 1887,
Nicklup was sold to James Taylor, a contractor
from Victoria who was working in Harvey. Taylor returned to
Victoria for his wife and their six children. The family travelled
to Bunbury by sea, and built a dray to carry their goods over land
to Nicklup. Six more children were born at Nicklup, and the entire
family lived in the original cottage built by William Clarke. The
Taylors were enterprising farmers. They established a large orchard
and vegetable garden, growing apples, pears, plums, oranges,
lemons, figs, olives, loquats, persimmons and mandarins. They also
produced wine from their 10-acre vineyard. The farm supplied fresh
produce to railway gangs working on the South West Railway in the
1890s, and the timber workers at Mornington Timber Mill in the
1900s. In the early 1930s Burt Taylor benefited from the expanded
irrigation scheme by purchasing land for irrigated pasture for
summer grazing. This made his dairy farm even more productive.
During the Depression the Nicklup dairy was able
to supply fresh milk in the Sustenance Employment project workers,
as well as the usual twice-daily deliveries to the Harvey Milk
Factory.
Jardup Homestead
c1890
Jardup settled in 1859 and was one of the
earliest farming properties developed in Harvey. Its earliest
history linked with two well – known Harvey pioneering families the
Clarke’s and the Suttons Ephraim Clarke arrived in the Harvey
district in 1841, with his wife Sarah, and three children. Their
first house, Hampdem, was located on the coast road. Ephraim Clarke
ran an inn and was later overseer at the Bunbury Convict Depot. In
1856, Ephraim bought 10 acres of land on the Harvey River. He left
his son in charge of acres from the Crown to graze sheep and
cattle, while also developing his home lot. The first cottage built
at Jardup for Ephraim and his family was
demolished, but remnant of fruit trees and domestic plants survived
as evidence of its existence. Ephraim Clarke retired in 1890,
selling Jardup to William Sutton. Sutton and his wife Florence
built a new house on the property and this was the homestead
inundated by the new Harvey Dam. It was a modest cottage,
constructed of hand-made clay bricks, which was subsequently lime
wash. The original roof was timber shingles, which were later
covered by sheets of corrugated iron. The house had four rooms with
lathe and plaster ceilings, timber skirting and door frames and
brick a fireplace with plain timber surrounds. The windows were
eight-pane, casement sashes. The front of the house had a shady
front verandah.
European Heritage
Jardup and
Nicklup homesteads were located in an area below
the waterline of the new Harvey Dam. The homesteads had heritage
value to the local community as some of the earliest in the Harvey
agricultural district. The Water Corporation, in consultation with
the Heritage Council of WA, the Shire of Harvey and the Harvey
Historical Society, developed a Heritage Management Plan that
incorporated cultural heritage assessments and archival
photographic recording before inundation.
Glentana homestead had potential for conservation
and restoration. It was purchased from the Water Corporation and
relocated. Some unique and interesting buildings materials from
Nicklup and Jardup were salvaged and preserved for display in the
Water Corporation funded extension to the tourist precinct.
Glentana Homestead 1906
Unlike the modest homesteads of
Nicklup and Jardup,
Glentana was a substantial Victorian-Georgian
style home. It was a timber framed building with weatherboard
external cladding and a galvanized iron roof. A curved flight of
steps led to the front door and a verandah surrounded the
entire house. Projecting bay windows were located either side of
the front door.
Inside, Glentana had a central
hall and seven main rooms. There were pressed metal wall lining's
and 4.5m high pressed metal ceiling's, with ornate cornices and
ceiling roses. Every room featured a carved jarrah fire place
surround. The style and size of the homestead illustrated the
general increasing prosperity in Western Australia by the 1890's,
assisted in the Harvey District by the construction of the Perth to
Bunbury railway in 1893.
Joseph Thomson built Glentana
in 1906. He was an importer of piano's and sewing machines, with
premises in Bairds Arcade, Perth. Thomson sold
Glentana seven years later. In that time he
established a garden and orchards. It was estimated that when the
new Harvey dam was built, Glentana homestead would
be metres from the water's edge. A buyer was found for the
property, and the building was to be relocated. Intentions were to
restore the homestead to ensure that a tangible reminder of one of
the most elaborate houses in Harvey dating from the early 1900's
remains. However during the relocation process in 2005 the new
buyer found the white ants had done substantial damage to the
foundation and removing it was not successful.
Taylors
The family of Robert and Elizabeth Taylor
and their two surviving sons, Robert and James, sailed from
Deptford, England in the sailing ship 'Sacramento' on 25.12.1852
and the ship was wrecked on point Lonsdale, Victoria on 26.4.1853.
Records show the family to be numbers 131, 132, 133 and 134 on the
passenger list and a note says only seven passengers died
during the voyage. The record also list Robert as a labourer and
say he and his Wife were able to read. The family having lost
almost all their possessions in the wreck, left the ship of their
own accord and moved to accommodation in Collingwood, Victoria on
12.5.1853.
James married Isabella in a Methodist
Church ceremony at Teminick (Isabella's country town) on
10.4.1876. He ventured to Harvey in Western Australia about
1886 or 1887 and worked at contract clearing for future farming and
orange growing. Whilst in Harvey he arranged to purchase 'Nicklup'
from William James Clarke. This meant he had to return to Taminick
to wind up his affairs, collect up his goods and chattels and
family and return to the West.
They disembarked at Bunbury late in 1889 and
before heading for Nicklup, had to have a dray made to carry their
worldly possessions. On the way to Harvey they reached the
Brunswick River which was in flood. A tropical Cyclone had come
down the coast, dropping much rain and causing a summer flood. A
Mrs. Sharp, nearby, offered the family shelter in a shed until the
flood water receded. There being no roads or bridges at that time,
they had to ford the river. As a result of delay whilst the dray
was built and the holdup at Brunswick River, the family spent that
Christmas day on the south bank of the river and reached Nicklup
just before New Year's Day 1890.
Upon arrival at Nicklup they
found Clarkes still in residence and consequently had to arrange
temporary shelter until the house became vacant.
Nicklup, at that time was the original Homestead
with almost no land cleared so James and his older sons has to set
to, clearing land to get their farming ventures under way. The
absence of mechanical facilities at that time meant that any
progress was achieved with horse and man power only. From the
beginning the main objective was to clear land for growing oats to
make chaff. The big mouse and rat proof shed, built by the family
in early times, remains as a notable landmark in 1988. It was built
for storage of chaff; sale of the produce became the source of
income which got the Taylor family farming venture off the ground.
As progress was achieved the family established a vegetable garden
and an orchard with remarkable variety of fruit; i.e. apples,
pears, plums, oranges, lemons, citrons, pomellos, persimmons,
mandarins, figs, grapes, loquats and olives. Further progress saw
the introduction of a variety of poultry and milking cows and prior
to 1900 the family was producing wine from a ten acre vineyard and
the wine together with fruit and vegetables and chaff was readily
marketable at Mornington Timber Mill which was only six miles
through the bush and at that time had a timber milling population
of about two thousand people.
THE HARVEY RIVER DIVERSION AND DRAINAGE
SCHEME
From 1930 on when the Depression was hurting so
many, one of the biggest community employment programs imaginable
began in Harvey. This was a Government sponsored plan to divert the
Harvey River to an outlet at the ocean near Myalup, which removed
the fear of flooding downstream and brought much valuable
agriculture land into production. No less than 2,500 men were
camped west of Harvey, and at time 3,500 men lived in the camps at
Myalup and nearby Stonehouse.
The work was physically demanding as the west
end of the Diversion Drain was dug with shovels and the sand
removed in wheelbarrows. Nearer to Harvey, a mechanical drag line
was used in the heavier clay soil. The work was done by rostering
the men; to make work for other men, they only worked two days a
week for a "sustenance" wage. Tents were hired to the men for about
a shilling a week (10c) and they brought their own food,
cooking it on individual camp fires. With their food costs at about
one pound fifteen shillings ($3.50 approx) it left between then
($1) and fifteen ($1.50) shillings for the worker.
Some of the men brought their wives and families
to the bush camps and their homes were well cared for, while some
of the single men lived in a very rough way. With so much idle
time, a few went fishing to augment their diet and to save money,
by many joined in the constant gambling which flourished at the
camps.
Though working under difficult conditions, the
plan proposed by the Public Works Department could not be varied
and had to stay within a very limited budget, No extra concessions
could be made to the men, nor extra days of work given. The money
for the scheme had been wrung out of a reluctant Federal Government
and in the depths of the Depression - no more was forthcoming. Jack
Scadden, the then Minister for unemployment was under great
pressure from all sides. Heavy immigration from the United Kingdom
in the 1920s and the collapse of many farming ventures had made
thousands of men unemployed. The Harvey River Diversion and
Drainage Scheme was only one of the public works begun by the
government to help these unemployed men. In 1931 men were clearing
the site for the Canning Reservoir and building a road for it. This
became the main catchment area for the metropolitan water supply.
Many men were employed to repair and maintain the Goldfields Water
Supply main, while works on the Waroona Dam (1931) and the Harvey
River Diversion (1930) were going on in the South West.
Most men were employed by the Diversion Scheme
than on any of the other works, The completion of all these works
in the Waroona, Harvey and Collie districts enabled irrigation to
be extended and more land brought into production by being drained
in winter and watered in summer. Dairying expanded after the 1930's
until it was estimated that these irrigation schemes served an area
of approximately 76,000 acres.
When these employment schemes began, it was
estimated that one third of the States breadwinners were out of
work and quite a lot of the rest had only part time work. The
official figures show 11% unemployment in 1929 with a rise to 30%
by the second quarter of 1932. Through the years 1931, 1932
and 1933 most of the State Budget went to public works
for the unemployment. By spending the money on water supplies the
whole of Western Australia benefited - the Goldfields, the South
West and the metropolitan area.
A memorial to the thousands of men who worked on
the Harvey River Diversion and Drainage Scheme has been placed in
Stirling Park at Harvey, beside the Diversion on which they
laboured.
Sustenance Employment at Harvey
Thousands of men were out of work during the
Depression in Western Australia. The Government initiated special
public works projects, mainly in the south west, employing
thousands of men on a sustenance allowance. The reduced wages made
these projects affordable, the presence of the workers to the south
west stimulated the local economy, and the sustenance allowance
supported many families during the 1930s. One of the Sustenance
Employment programs was the Harvey River Diversion Project. It
comprised a huge channel that, when completed, would divert winter
floodwaters from the Harvey River to the Ocean at Myalup. In 1931,
a camp was established at the former Myalup mill. It had over 500
canvas tents arranged along 10 streets. Each man was issued with a
billy, mug, plate, fry pan, blanket and Hessian bed. Money for food
and stores was taken out of wages to give more people the chance of
employment. The channel was dug by hand using shovels and
wheelbarrows wheeled on planks. The work took more than a year,
with excavations finishing in December 1932. The watercourse opened
in mid 1933. The Camp at Myalup accommodated thousands of men who
worked a few days a week in return for sustenance allowance.
THE HARVEY WEIR
Regulating Water
Supplies
The 1901 Drainage Act dealt with winter flooding
of the Harvey flats. Channels were dug to connect with enlarged
drainage channels on the Harvey and Wellesley Rivers. This
significantly increased land available for cultivation of citrus
orchards, but it was no use regulating water supply in winter and
not summer. The people of Harvey began to campaign for an
irrigation scheme. 1910, President of the Harvey Citrus Society,
Frank Becher, attended a Citrus Growers’ Conference in Melbourne
where he met the Minister for Agriculture, James Mitchell. As a
result of this fortunate meeting, Becher was asked to report on the
Mildura irrigation scheme in Victoria, and examine the
possibilities for a similar project at Harvey. In 1911, the
government appointed surveyor, Roy Eckersley, to examine all the
rivers from Serpentine to Collie. He conducted tests on water
capacity and speed of flow, searching for possible dam sites. He
pegged out three sites on the Harvey River. The Rights in Water and
Irrigation Act was passed in Parliament in 1914 to enable work to
proceed on a site called ‘Harvey Irrigation No.1.’
Raising the Weir Wall 1931-32
Also in 1931-32 the Harvey Weir wall was raised
from its original 12 metres to 18 metres, increasing the storage
capacity to 2,275 million gallons [10,342 million litres]. The new
weir was opened in 1933 by Premier Sir James Mitchell for
Agriculture when the weir was first built in 1916.
Irrigation
In the South West of WA, irrigation by
Government dates from 1906 when Sir James Mitchell, as Minister for
agriculture, conceived the idea of installing an irrigation scheme
on the new State Dairy Farm at Brunswick- 16 Hectares of land
comprising river flats and high land.
In 1906 there were only 8 farmers known to be
irrigating in the State, but by 1914 the number increased to 300.
The success of small private irrigation stimulated moves for larger
schemes. Indeed, the first irrigation scheme was constructed in
1915 to 1916 to serve 1,350 hectares of land in the central Harvey
area. A unique feature of the area was that drains were constructed
first to reduce winter water-logging. Irrigation supply channels
were constructed later.
As years progressed, the steady increase in
demand for water saw as acute shortage by 1929, after which
construction of a series of dams to feed irrigation districts took
place. By 1932 the Harvey Dam was built and just a year before, the
Drakesbrook Dam was completed near Waroona. In order to supply the
Brunswick-Dardanup area (known as the Collie River Irrigation
District) Wellington Dam was completed in 1933. Significant
construction, for example the Harvey Diversion Dam, was carried out
during the depression years.
In 1941 an earth and rock fill dam was built
across Samson Brook and in 1948 Stirling Dam was built across the
Harvey River. Further augmentation of supply to the Harvey District
occured in 1963 with completion of Logue Brook Dam - followed by
the Waroona Dam in 1966.
Water was available to local farmers in the
summer of 1915-16. Water flowed from the main weir along the river,
and was diverted at the intercepting weir into the main irrigation
channel. It was then delivered via gravity through five open
channels to the highest point of each settlement block. From here,
distribution of water to the orchards was the responsibility of the
landowner.
HISTORY OF AUSTRALIND
Australind was the site of an ambitious but
unsuccessful land settlement scheme in the 1840s, when the
London-based Western Australia Company planned to settle a large
number of pioneers who would breed horses specifically for shipping
to the Indian Army. The first settlers arrived in 1841 and by the
end of 1842 the total had reached 440 people. Unfortunately, the
scheme soon collapsed due to financial problems and the
unsuitability of the sandy soil for agriculture. Many of the
original settlers left, mostly moving elsewhere in the district. A
monument to those hardy pioneers stands in the reserve on the shore
of the Inlet. The original name of Port Leschenault was changed by
the promoters of the early settlement scheme to a name combining
‘Australia’ and ‘India’.
The West Australian Company was formed in London in 1840 to
promote a Land settlement in Western Australia under the Wakefield
System. This prescribed that land in the Colonies should not
be granted but sold and the proceeds used to bring migrant labour
to the Colony. The Company purchased 165,000 acres from Colonel
Latour and Sir James Stirling in the Leschenault region and set out
to find investors/settlers.
The "Island Queen" in 1840 was the first ship to arrive at
Australind with a party of surveyors to mark out the townsite and
rural allotments. In the meantime in England, hearsay reports
regarding the land, had the company in turmoil and the directors
decided to abandon the scheme and re-locate to Port Grey (now
Geraldton)
Marshall Waller Clifton, Chief Commissioner for the scheme, left
London with 93 passengers on board the "Parkfield" with the intent
of collecting the surveyors and head for Port Grey. The
surveyors had not yet received any dispatches regarding the change
of location. After much discussion with Governor Hutt,
Marshall and Pearce Clifton and the Government Surveyor it was
decided to proceed with the original scheme.
The following two years saw more settlers arrive to take up land
but by 1843 the Company was no longer financial and operations
ceased. Many settlers left the area and the few that remained
took up abandoned blocks and laid the foundations of the rural
settlement.
Many of the early settlers originated from the failed land
settlement scheme at nearby Australind. In 1893 they formed the
Brunswick Farmers’ Association, which was instrumental in having
the town site surveyed and declared in 1902 and in establishing
many public facilities. Now known as the Brunswick Progress
Association, it still plays an active role in the town’s
development. The town was named after the Brunswick River on which
the town is situated. The river was named after an English
Duke from the 1800's.
Today you can see that the hopes and dreams of those early pioneers
have finally come to fruition.
AUSTRALIND HERITAGE TRAIL
The name Australind was coined by its founders,
the Western Australian Company, from a contraction of Australia and
India.
1. Henton Cottage- Paris
Rd
Opposite St Nicholas Church is
of historic interest. Built in 1841 by William Dacres Williams as
the "Prince of Wales Hotel". Its Original two rooms came from
England as a prefabricated building. Heritage Roses that add to its
appeal surround the gardens. Henton Cottage now
houses a Tourist Information Centre, arts crafts and collectable
antiques.
2. St Nicholas Church- Paris
Rd
An interesting reminder of the early days is
the historic Church of St Nicholas opposite Henton Cottage. Built
by James Narroway circa 1840's as a residence then converted to a
Congressional Chapel prior to 1860's and dedicated to the Church of
England in 1915. Made of Jarrah and measuring only 3.8 × 6.7m, it
claims the distinction of being the smallest church in Western
Australia. Built as a workman’s hut in 1840, it was the only
building then available for settlers to use as a place of worship.
The hut was converted into a church eight years later by John
Allnut, whose home can be seen nearby.
3. Upton House- Upton
Pl
Built in 1844/5 for Mrs. Elizabeth Fry. The
original building bricks are believed to have been cargo or ballast
on the "Trusty" during her second voyage to Australind in 1844.
Private residence. (not open to the public)
4. Memorial Seat- Old Coast
Rd
Situated on the site of the landing of the
first settlers. A plaque showing the original town plan and
memorial to early pioneer's and ships.
5. Pioneer Park - Opposite
memorial seat
First planted circa 1843 by Lucy,
Rachel and Caroline Clifton. Two of the three peppermint
trees still stand plus a fig tree brought from Tenerife Island in
1841
6. Cathedral Avenue- Scenic
Drive 3.4 km
This was the original Old Coast
road. Although the road has been altered in parts, the
paperbark trees can still be admired arching over the road in a
cathedral like manner.
7. John Boyle O'Reilly- Buffalo
Rd- 11.6km Buffalo Road - 11.6 km.
In 1803
Lieutenant de Freycinet on board the ‘Casurina’ sighted a rocky
point which was part of what is known now as Koombana Bay. On
entering the Bay he discovered an inlet which he named
‘Leschenault’ after the expedition's botanist. John Boyle O’Reilly
was one of 62 Irish Political prisoners among 279 convicts who
arrived at Fremantle in 1868. He was a member of the Fenian
Movement, an organisation dedicated to achieving an independent
Irish Republic. O’Reilly escaped from this area whilst
working as a member of a convict road crew near Bunbury. He
hid in the dense peppermint woodland with the help of a local
family. O’Reilly made his escape aboard an American Whaler,
the ‘Gazelle’ on 3 March 1869. Before settling in Boston he
assisted 6 Fenian political prisoners in their escape from
Fremantle Prison aboard the ‘Catalpa’. He became a well known
humanitarian, poet, writer and orator. A granite monument
erected to O’Reilly stands at the northern entry to the Leschenault
Peninsular Park.
Following European Settlement the Peninsular was mostly used for
stock grazing. In 1838 Thomas Little purchased 741.4 hectares
on Leschenault Peninsula on behalf of Charles Prinsep, and named
the homestead Belvidere in honour of the Prinsep mansion in
Calcutta. Little managed the property to raise horses and
cattle for the Indian Army. In the late 1960s and throughout
the 1970s, Belvidere became a commune for alternative lifestyler's,
with up to 14 houses. A granite monument to; John O Reilly,
Irishman, soldier, convict, poet, author and lecturer.
John Boyle O'Reilly Wetland Trail - Leschenault
Peninsula Conservation Park
Length: 1km return - Surface: Bitumen and
Boardwalk - Difficultly: Easy - Users: Walkers,
Prams, Wheelchairs - Facilities: Information Shelter,
Tables, Toilets.
Learn more about the plants and animals of this park as you meander
through tuart, peppermint and paperbark trees. At the information
shelter, discover how the Irish convict John Boyle O'Reilly made
his daring escape into the bush here from a ship named the Gazelle
in 1869.
8. Australind Cemetery- Old
Coast Rd - 2.2km
Old Coast Road - 2.2 k.
Situated on the crest of a limestone hill, the first burial took
place on the 13th March 1842, that of Dr Anthony French Carpenter,
Medical Officer on board the Barque "Parkfield".
OTHER HISTORICAL PLAQUES
Benjamin & James Piggott - near Shire Office
in front of Library, early pioneers.
Australind State School - 1.4 km Cathedral/ Scenic Drive
Catholic Church Site- Circa 1870- 1970 2.4km Cathedral Scenic
Drive
Parkfield School - 10 km - Buffalo Road, just past the stand of
trees.
BRUNSWICK JUNCTION
Many of the early settlers originated from the
failed land settlement scheme at nearby Australind.
In 1893 they formed the Brunswick Farmers’ Association, which was
instrumental in having the town site surveyed and declared in 1902
and in establishing many public facilities. Now known as the
Brunswick Progress Association, it still plays an active role in
the town’s development. The town was named after the Brunswick
River on which the town is situated. The river was named
after an English Duke from the 1800's.
Brunswick Cow Statue -
Daisy
The Friesian Cow was built by the local
lions club as a tribute to the dairy industry. Daisy has now become
the town's mascot. She Was officially unveiled by Tom Pearson and
arrived on the 11th of July 1973. Produced by Mrs. Netti May-Smith,
Daisy is 2 metres in length and 1.530 metres high, standing 1.2
metres off the ground. Daisy is made of concrete with steel
rods re-enforcing through her.
Alverstoke - Heritage & Function
Centre
Situated on Clifton Road, Brunswick
Junction. An allotment of land on the banks of the Brunswick River
was purchased in 1841 by Marshall Waller Clifton, who named the
property after his birthplace in Hampshire, England. The first farm
in the district, Alverstoke has been tended by the Clifton family
now for six generations.
Historic buildings include an original cottage
and barn (c.1840s), stables, saddle room and dairy (c.1875), the
homestead (1886) and the Clifton School (c.1921), Olive and
Pear trees planted on the property in 1844 continue to bear fruit
to this day. Alverstoke is a historic farm hamlet that is now open
as a venue for corporate and private functions in a tranquil
country setting is steeped in history. An extensive collection of
vintage farm machinery, tools and memorabilia is housed in various
outbuildings around the farm. The school contains a display of many
treasured artifacts common to schools of its time. The historic
barn setting is rich with agricultural charm with wide wooden
verandah surrounded by 2 acres of grassed areas.
Alverstoke is also home to a collection of over
200 heritage roses including Bourbon, Gallica, Tea, Portland and
Rugosa varieties. Several Clydesdale horses, as well as other
farmyard and native animals.
If you are planning a visit, bookings are essential: Call John or
Mary Clifton on 08 9726 1073.
White Rocks Farm (Brunswick)
South
Western Highway,
Benger.
A working dairy. (08) 9726 1085 - Entry Fee
White Rocks Museum and Dairy is teeming with history. Founded in
1887 by John Partridge, it is now run by the fourth generation of
the Partridge family. Visit the museum depicting pioneering days
and see the collection of horse-drawn farm machinery and old dairy
equipment. The Dairy is an example of the latest industry
technology — a 50-stand rotary dairy with computerized feeding.
Please phone to book your visit.
HISTORY OF YARLOOP
Rediscover the age of steam and timber as you
step back in time at this perfectly preserved country town.
Reminisce about an earlier age when the local general store was the
place to meet and the air pulsated with industrial toil. Yarloop
was established in the late 1800s as a timber milling town and
became the centre of a thriving timber industry, following the
construction of the South West Railway which began in 1893. The
accessibility of shipping from the ports of Bunbury and Fremantle
let to vast quantities of timber being shipped overseas, with many
millions of dollars of jarrah being exported to most areas of the
world.
By the early 1900s, Millers Timber and Trading
Company (now Sortico) virtually owned the town as the major local
employer and landowner. The company set up engineering workshops to
service the needs of logging mill towns in the surrounding forests.
At the town’s peak, the workshops employed approximately 500 men.
Sotico is now a very modern timber mill and the old historic
engineering workshops that spanned the steam and horse-drawn era
are being restored. Conducted tours of both places are available by
appointment.
The original mills were built far out in the
Jarrah Forests and Yarloop originated from the "Yard Loop' from the
Wagerup siding, where the town was started by Millar's Timber
Company in the 1890's when the wood was but out in the Darling
Rangers around the Kelmscott - Roleystone - Kalamunda area. A
considerable number of their employees transferred to Yarloop,
where many families still have connection with the Darling
Range Towns.
The timber that was produced from the mills was
transported on a complex system of railways through the bush. It is
of interest that the original tracks were selected by local farmer
and timber cutter, the late Mr. Don Eastcott. When Millar's
obtained the service of a surveyor and railway expert from England,
the tracks were found to be almost perfectly laid out for
grades and construction. This Railway system became the largely
privately owned railroad in the world, and finally closed in 1956
through the last locomotive was used in the Yarloop yard until 1975
when the boiler finally wore out. It has now been fully
reconstructed, and there are many old buildings still remain: for
example, the original timber workers houses, the old railway
workshops, Millar's yards and the old bakery.
Many workers at the yard which was then the
largest timber yard in the Southern Hemisphere began to
successfully farm around Yarloop. The Coming if irrigation led to
many thriving dairy farms in the area. Timber milling actually
began in Yarloop with building of an electrically operated mill in
1962. The workforce for this mill came from men who had worked at
Nanga Brook, until they were burnt out in the Dwelling Fire
Disaster on the 23rd of February 1961: Hoffman Mill which closed on
the 21st of December 1961: and Mornington Mill which closed on the
28th of June 1966. The Yarloop mill, known as Gunns at the time
closed on 15th December 2008.
Road trucks now bring the un-sawn logs in from
the bush, mechanical log loading and chainsaw falling have
made the work much easier and speedier. The mill has an impressive
safety record and high degree of productivity.
Yarloop, population 874, has been registered as
a conservation area and is deemed a historic precinct by the local
council. Stroll through streets lined with historic timber workers’
cottages and enjoy the close-knit community feel. Yarloop is
located 125kms south of Perth on the South Western Highway and is
serviced daily by the Australind train from Perth and Bunbury.
YARLOOP HERITAGE TRAIL
1. Replica Store - Railway
Parade
The present building was constructed in
1987/88 by the Yarloop Workshops Restoration Committee and is a
faithful external reproduction of the store that was on this site
for many years. Photographs of the original building can be seen in
the display in the Yarloop Workshops. The original building was
constructed in the 1980s as the Works Manager's house and converted
to a store approximately 20 years later.
2. Mill Cottages - McDowell
Street
These cottages are typically of those built
throughout the South West at the peak of Western Australia's timber
industry. With the exception of number 165, which is only about 50
years old, all the timber cottages in McDowell Street were
constructed in the 1890s for mill workers.
3. Old Wooden Pub - McDowell
Street
Constructed in 1903/04, the Old Wooden Pub
(also known at one time as the Palace Hotel) was the first hotel in
Yarloop. The section that remains (now a private home) was the
residential part of the hotel. The bar area was attached to the
remaining structures by a passage way and stood on the land
opposite the reserve. The pub also included a billiard room
attached to the north side between the bar area and Post Office.
The Old Wooden Pub was directly linked to the railway station by a
wooden bridge and was the scene of an ant prohibition rally in
1926.
4. Old Mill Post Office
- McDowell Street
The Post Office was built
around 1898 complete with attached residence. Externally it remains
essential unaltered except for the addition of a carport. The Post
Office was closed in the 1950s and since then the building has been
used as a private home.
5. St Joseph's Catholic Church
- Johnston Road
The church was designed by
Mr. Finlay, built by Mr. Campbell and blessed and opened by Father
Donagher on Sunday June 24, 1906.
6. Mill Doctor's Residence
- Barrington-Knight Road
Not long after
Millar's began operations in Yarloop they built a hospital to treat
employees only. They engaged a Dr Lovegrove as the first doctor in
the town. He had no right, under the terms of his employment, to
practice privately, but could give emergency treatment had to be
sought in Bunbury or Perth. This house was built for the Mill
Doctor early in the century and has been used as the Doctor's
residence ever since.
7. Mill Hospital Group
- Barrington-Knight Road
The original
hospital built in the 1890s, had an eight bed male dormitory and a
small nursing staff. Demand for a service to families resulted in
the addition of a female ward and at first Millar's charged all
employees a small amount to cover the resultant costs.
After several years Millar's passed the system
over a local committee and the provision of medical and hospital
care to the people of Yarloop was made possible by contributions of
the Timber Mill Agreement Funds. Initially the fund was subsidised
by Millar's by rising costs necessitated a government contribution.
With the introduction of Medibank, and the resulting need for
administrative staff, the fund had to be discontinued and the
doctor became a private practitioner with control of the hospital
being handed over to a local board.
8. Old Stables Site - School
Road
Horses were essential to the Mill in the
early days of its operation and the Millar's stables were located
on this site.
9. Mill Managers Complex
- School Road
These homes were built on the
hill possibly during the first decade of the 20th century, They are
considerably larger than the workers cottages have higher ceiling
and other amenities and are better finished. The building to the
right has been the home of the Mill Manager since construction. The
cottage in the middle was built to provide suitable accommodation
for visitors from Perth to the Mill and the building to the left
has been the home of the Assistant Mill Manager since
construction.
10. The Huts - Single Men's Quarters
- School Road
These single residence huts
were built by Millar's in the 1890s for single men working at the
Mill. They are still used by people working for Bunning's and in
recent years were re-named 'Happy Valley', presumably because no
women were allowed to reside there.
11. Mill Cottages - School
Road
These timber workers cottages are the only
ones that remain from what was once a densely populated housing
area. Remains of many of these houses and their gardens can be seen
on the left behind the Anglican Church. Just east of these cottages
is the Yarloop School complex, marked by the large pines near the
old School site, and the schoolmaster's house opposite the pines.
The original three-roomed school stood on the site of the car
park.
12. All Saints Anglican Church
- Railway Parade
Dedicated on All Saints Day
1909 by Bishop Goldsmith, this church was built by Mr. Thomas
Jackson, (a licensed lay reader appointed in charge of Yarloop and
adjacent timber mills by the Bishop in 1908) assisted by friends
and faithful followers. Millar's probably contributed the bulk of
timber and materials with the remainder, including the stained
glass windows, being donated by members of the local community or
purchased through fund raising efforts. The panels in front of the
altar were hand carved by Mrs. Wickham, wife of an early farming
settler in the district.
Mr. Jackson became Reverend Jackson on Trinity
Sunday in November 1910, when the Bishop made him Deacon in charge
of Yarloop. Tragically, he died in the church he had built, during
a confirmation service on November 20th, 1910. The rectory was
probably built at this time.
13. Mill Boarding House
- Railway Parade
Built in the 1890s as the
original Mill Boarding House, this construction is virtually
unchanged externally with the exception of the two buildings on the
south side that are recent additions. Now known as Peg's it was
used by Millar's executive staff and visitors from Perth, with all
meals and a cleaning service provided.
14. War Memorial - Railway
Parade
Designed by Pietro Porcelli, this dressed
granite obelisk featuring four carved lions of Augustan marble from
the Barossa Valley was erected by local residence and unveiled by
Lieutenant Colonel Manning, D.S.O., O.B.E. on Anzac Day 1922. Born
in 1872, Porcelli was Western Australia's first local sculptor and
completed many fine sculptures of Western Australia's most
prominent citizens. The best known of these works are his bust of
Sir John Forrest now in Parliament House, the 3.2 metre statue of
C.Y.O' Connor at Fremantle Harbour, and the slightly larger than
life bronze figure of Alexander Forrest on the corner of St Georges
Terrace and Barrack Street in Perth.
15. Yarloop Mill Workshops
- Railway Parade
Situated on the sire of the
first, 1895 mill in the Yarloop area, these workshops began
operations in 1901 and closed in 1978. Originally housed in the
remains of the Old Mill buildings, they were gradually developed
until they became the centre of Millar's milling operations in the
South West
TOWN NAME MEANINGS -
The meaning of town names in the Harvey
Shire.
HARVEY
Named after Major Harvey who first surveyed the area in the early
1800's.
MYALUP
Aboriginal name, meaning 'place of the paperbark
tree'.
BINNINGUP
Aboriginal name meaning 'place of the
mosquito'.
WOKALUP
Aboriginal name meaning 'place of the carpet
snake'.
BENGER
Aboriginal name for swamp.
BRUNSWICK
JUNCTION
Named after the Duke of Brunswick in England
(1830's).
COOKERNUP
Aboriginal name meaning 'place of the swamp hen'
Cooki.
YARLOOP
A loop railway line situated in the town, 'yard
loop'.
AUSTRALIND
Named so by its founders 'The West Australian Company' from a
contraction of Australia and
India (They thought the two places were ideally located for a
flourishing trade between them).
COOKERNUP
Cookernup comes from an Aboriginal word meaning
the 'Place of the Swamp Hen Cooki.'
The first white settlers were reported to have
settled at Cookernup in 1858. Amongst the first settlers were J.
Clark, W. Adams, L.F. Logue, W. Marriot and R.S Meredith. Early
homes were built of spilt slabs for walls, paperbark roofs and
calico windows, fire places large enough to roast a whole sheep on
the bars with room to spare. The timber railway at Cookernup in
1882 (being the first siding in the area) brought prosperity to the
district.
Before 1894 the Wellington Roads Board
controlled the Cookernup District. On the 7th of September 1894
Cookernup was officially declared a town - R.N. 209. According to
education records Miss S. Mitchell started work on the 22nd of
July 1895 with the school officially being open on the 12th of
August 1895. Being the first school in the district pupils came
from Harvey and Yarloop.
Cookernup's first hall was built by Edward Cook
and was officially open on the 24th of May 1896. On the 12th of
July 1898 the Cookernup cemetery was opened. By this time there was
a Post Office, two general stores, one warehouse, one butcher shop,
two surveyors, two mills and a growing number of farmers.
In 1900 the population numbered 300. It was in
1904 that Cookernup church was built. The first citrus industry
started in 1909. In 1948 Cookernup's high school students were
bused to Harvey High School until the closure of Cookernup Primary
School in 1953. In the early 1950's came the advent of electric
lights (S.E.C.) During the 1960's came the introduction of bulk
milk tankers on the 6th of March 1983 Cookernup has its first
reunion.
MYALUP TIMBER MILL
A privately owned timber mill was built
at Myalup about 1922 before the diversion was dug. It was
positioned on the south side of the present day diversion (across
the river from the cement water tank on Myalup Beach Road). The
heavy mill engine was brought from Bunbury by a team of horses. The
first night they camped at Springhill then went on to Myalup. Young
Ted Handley rode his horse alongside the team of horses to help get
the engine to the mill.
The mill site had a mill manager's hut, married
men cottages and single men quarters. A well was dug and water
pumped out for use. A tramline was laid going north of the mill to
bring logs on the tram trucks back to the mill for sawing. An old
motor truck then took the cut timber into Harvey to be transported
by train. The road from the mill ran north to near the present day
Myalup Cottages then eastwards to Harvey. A plank road was made
over the low swamp areas from the sand hill towards today's Lawn
Cemetery to bring the timber to Harvey. The local farmers also used
the Myalup Mill timber to make dwellings, sheds and pens. They
mainly used the face cut boards off the side of logs for these
constructions.
The Myalup Mill closed down about 1928 but the
buildings remained there. In 1931 the old mill became the Myalup
Campsite for 1,500 men working on the Government Harvey River
Diversion Scheme.
At the Mill Campsite the mill manager's house
became the head office for the P.W.D. staff with the back of the
house used by the cook who provided meals for the office staff.
Three engineers (Punch, Forrest and Park) lived in tents with their
wives near the horse yards and 1,500 men camped in tents nearby in
a group surrounded by a barbed wire fence to stop animals getting
into the tent area. The married men's cottage's at the old
mill was used as the first aid post and the mill single men's
cottages housed the various shops. There was a butcher's shop, two
fruit and vegetable shops, cake shop, the hop beer shop and Jack
Lowe's grocery shop.
A big marquee was used as a boarding house for
any men who didn't want to cook for themselves. Some men who didn't
like the sandy and dusty cramped conditions of the tent area moved
into the surrounding bush and made their own bark shelters. These
men had pulled big slabs of bark off trees and made little huts
with them. The Mannings who lived 1.5 miles south of the campsite
sold meat, milk, eggs, honey, fruit and vegetables to the cook and
the men in the bush. The tent men bought their food from the shops.
All the bread was baked in Harvey and a truck carted bread all day
out to the Myalup and Stonehouse campsites to provide bread from
2,500 men and Laurie Jensen delivered the mail.
On pay night the men played Two Up all night
outside the barbed wire fence alongside Manning's track and was
still playing at daylight. After the camp finished the buildings
were sold and taken away. The site is now covered with pine
trees.
HERITAGE COUNCIL DATABASE -
HARVEY
Ash Homestead (fmr) site (12016)
Boarding House (fmr)(1179)
Bundidup Homestead (1202) (Wokalup)
Butter Factory (fmr)(12013)
Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (fmr)(1183)
Cookernup Cemetary (12005)
Cookernup Flax Mill (fmr)(3170)
Cookernup Post Office (fmr)(1196)
Cookernup Roll of Honour (12861)
Cottage, Bottlebrush Road (7038)
Eckersley Farm (3178)
Falls Brook Homestead (11981)
Forestry Cottage 393 (17477)
Gibbs' House (11990)
Glentana Homestead (11407)
Grieve's Abattoir (fmr) site (12014)
Harvey Cemetary (11982)
Harvey Diversion Drain (11980)
Harvey Fire Station (14517)
Harvey Hills Precinct (3867)
Harvey House (11983)
Harvey Police Station and Courthouse (17337)
Harvey Post Office (fmr)(11992)
Harvey Precinct No 1 (12026
Harvey Precinct No 2 (12027)
Harvey Precinct No 3 (12028)
Harvey Primary School (12001)
Harvey Railway Station Precinct (11994)
Harvey River Bridge (11985)
Harvey Shire Council Chambers & Town Hall (1185)
Harvey Showgrounds (11984)
Harvey War Memorial Library and District Honour Rolls (1182)
Harvey Weir (11986)
Holy Trinity Anglican Church (1197)
House (4273)
Italian Prisoner of War Shrine at Harvey Agricultural High School
(3168)
Jardup Homestead (3171)
Knowels Store(fmr)(3756)
Korejikup Hotel (fmr)(1176)
Leschenault Peninsula (17631)
Logue Brook Dam (11988)
Masonic Hall (11989)
McQuade Residence (fmr)(1191)
Memorial Library (3177)
Methodist Church (fmr)(1180)
Milk Depot (3175)
Moreton Bay Fig Tree (3167)
Nicklup Homestead (3172)
Old Bakery, Antique Shop and Cafe (12008)
Old Shop Site (12015)
Old Uduc School Building (3165)
Origional and Later Uduc Hall (1199)
PWD Office (1175)
Price Homestead (11993)
RSL Hall and Harvey Sub-Branch RSL Honour Rolls (11996)
Replica of the Hut Homestead (11998)
Rosner's Early Homestead (11995)
Rosner Homestead (11987)
Runnymede and Florries Cottage Group (3757)
Shire Council Chambers (1181)
Shops (1177)
St Pauls Anglican Church(1184)
Stirling Dam (11997)
Stirling Memorial (11999)
Uniting Church, Hall and 2 Manses (15078)
West Australian Bank (fmr)(12000)
Wokalup Tavern (1201)
Wokalup-Mornington Railway (490)
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Accommodation
