Gwambygine, Western Australia
Encyclopedia
Gwambygine is a small town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia
. It is situated between the towns of York
and Beverley
and is on the banks on the Avon River
.
One of the first known settlers was Rev. J.B. Wittenoom who was granted land in the area in 1831 who named his property Gwambygine . This property was later purchased by the state government in 1901 and sub-divided into blocks called Gwambygine Estate. Some of the land along the Avon was developed as a townsite whch was gazetted in 1902.
A railway siding known as Hick's Siding was extablished adjacent to the town in 1902. The siding was named after J. Hicks who had leased the property in the 1860s. The siding was renamed Gwambygine in 1910.
Gwambygine pool is also close to the town. It is one of the few permanent pool
s found along the Avon River and a park has been built next to the pool with boardwalk, viewing tower, playgrounds, gas barbeques and other facilities.
The Gwambygine Homestead
, the oldest homestead in Western Australia,
exists close to the town. The homestead is being restored in 2011 by the National Trust of Australia
. The homestead was initially built by the Wittenoom family in the 1830s.
The name of the town in Aboriginal in origin and is the name of a nearby hill also known as Bald Hill. The meaning of the name is not known.
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. It is situated between the towns of York
York, Western Australia
York is the oldest inland town in Western Australia, situated 97 km east of Perth in the Avon Valley near Northam, and is the seat of the Shire of York...
and Beverley
Beverley, Western Australia
Beverley is a town located in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, south-east of the state capital, Perth, between York and Brookton on the Great Southern Highway...
and is on the banks on the Avon River
Avon River (Western Australia)
The Avon River is a river in Western Australia. It is a tributary of the Swan River totalling 280 kilometres in length, with a catchment area of 125,000 square kilometres.-Catchment area:...
.
One of the first known settlers was Rev. J.B. Wittenoom who was granted land in the area in 1831 who named his property Gwambygine . This property was later purchased by the state government in 1901 and sub-divided into blocks called Gwambygine Estate. Some of the land along the Avon was developed as a townsite whch was gazetted in 1902.
A railway siding known as Hick's Siding was extablished adjacent to the town in 1902. The siding was named after J. Hicks who had leased the property in the 1860s. The siding was renamed Gwambygine in 1910.
Gwambygine pool is also close to the town. It is one of the few permanent pool
Pool
-Pools of water:*Swimming pool, an artificially enclosed body of water intended for swimming*Reflecting pool, a shallow pool designed to reflect a structure and its surroundings:...
s found along the Avon River and a park has been built next to the pool with boardwalk, viewing tower, playgrounds, gas barbeques and other facilities.
The Gwambygine Homestead
Homestead (buildings)
A homestead is either a single building, or collection of buildings grouped together on a large agricultural holding, such as a ranch, station or a large agricultural operation of some other designation.-See also:* Farm house* Homestead Act...
, the oldest homestead in Western Australia,
exists close to the town. The homestead is being restored in 2011 by the National Trust of Australia
National Trust of Australia
The Australian Council of National Trusts is the peak body for community-based, non-government organisations committed to promoting and conserving Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage....
. The homestead was initially built by the Wittenoom family in the 1830s.
The name of the town in Aboriginal in origin and is the name of a nearby hill also known as Bald Hill. The meaning of the name is not known.