Wiluna, Western Australia
Encyclopedia
Wiluna is a complex town in the Mid West region of Western Australia
. It is situated on the edge of the Western Desert at the gateway to the Canning Stock Route
and Gunbarrel Highway
. It is the service centre of the local area for the local Aboriginal people, the pastoral industry, mining
, and many more people work on mines in the area on a "fly-in/fly-out
" basis. Wiluna's climate is hot and dry, with an annual rainfall of just 254 mm (10 in). Mean maximum temperatures range from 19°C (66°F) in July, to 38°C (100°F) in January.
The traditional Aboriginal owners were "settled" as a consequence of the colonisation process that began in the 1800s. In the 1950s a church based group were supported by the government of the day to establish a mission. The traditional people lost their lands through many different processes, including the issuing of pastoral leases, the discovery of gold and the influx of non Aboriginal people onto their lands.
Before and after the atomic nuclear testing near Maralinga in the 1950s, many Aboriginal people from at least 3 different tribal and language groups were "forced" to live within the mission site. This created many conflicts and the legacy continues today. Much traditional knowledge and skill exists today amongst the Aboriginal residents and visitors.
The existence of a the local Pub has created much conflict with many people opposed to its presence arising from the conflict and trauma associated with alcohol abuse. The town also has a general store, petrol, caravan park, sports oval, school, health clinic, shelter and more.
Local water holes, much damaged and overused after years of cattle use, provide relief from the hot summer days.
The roads are unsealed and in the wet season the land may fill with large bodies of water. Large lakes may form that attract an array of wildlife. The region has snakes, kangaroos, bungarras
(large lizard/goanna), bush turkeys, donkeys, horses, camels and dingoes.
The closest mine site to town is the Wiluna Gold Mine
, approximately 3 km south of Wiluna. The mine was shut down by its new owner, Apex Minerals, in August 2007 for refurbishment and resource definition. The mine commenced milling again in November 2008 with plans to mill up to 1Mtpa (million tonnes per annum) and produce initially 150kozpa (thousand ounces per annum) increasing to 200kozpa.
Yeleeri mine site, located 100 km south has a load of uranium ore. Within 300 km the region boasts much mineral wealth.
The Wiluna area was explored by Lawrence Wells
in 1892. Gold
was discovered in the area in 1896, and within a few months there were over 300 prospectors in the area. The town of Wiluna was gazetted in 1898, the name Wiluna being the Indigenous Australian name for the area. By the 1930s, the town had a population of over 9,000 people, but World War II
severely affected the gold mining industry, and many mines were shut down. By 1963 the population had fallen to less than 100. Gold mining resumed in the area in 1981.
In October 1960, two station workers named Fred Vincenti and Frank Quadrio were opening a fence gate on the Millbillillie-Jundee track 11 kilometres from Wiluna when they witnessed a bright fireball falling into spinifex (Triodia) grassland
to the north of their location. The debris from this meteor became known as the Millbillillie meteorite and is understood to be actual pieces of the asteroid
Vesta
that had at some point been knocked off by a collision in the asteroid belt
. Although no official specimens were recovered until 1970 it is understood that members of the local Aboriginal community
had collected pieces. http://www.meteorites.com.au/favourite/june2004.html
Wiluna and the Mid-West region are the site of Western Australia's most advanced uranium mining projects. Three projects are in the approval process, the Lake Maitland uranium project, which has a proposed start-of-production date of 2012, the Lake Way uranium project, to begin in 2013, and BHP Billiton
's Yeelirrie uranium project
, scheduled for production by 2014. All three are located within 100 km of Wiluna.
south of Wiluna, established around 1896, was called Weeloona, derived from the aboriginal word meaning Place of wind. However, the name is also sometimes claimed to come from the cry of the Curlew
, which is frequent in the area.
(Köppen climate classification
BWh), though like most of inland Western Australia it has seen its rainfall increase by around 40 percent since 1967
. The heaviest rainfall, however, was associated with the amazing April 1900 floods
when the town received an astonishing 527.1 millimetres (20.8 in) or two-and-half-times its normal annual rainfall.
Western Australian Government Railways
system reached. The Wiluna branch was connected to the main Northern Railway
at Meekatharra
. The branch opened to Wiluna on 2 November 1932. The line was closed on 5 August 1957.
With the emergence of iron ore traffic, this railway may be rebuilt in whole or in part, possibly as standard gauge
.
The former Governor-General of Australia
, Major General
Michael Jeffery
was born in Wiluna on 12 December 1937. A new primary school was constructed in Wiluna after Jeffery visited the town in 2006 and criticised the condition of the existing school.
Warri and Yatungka became famous when they left their mission/settlement to live a hunter gatherer lifestyle in the 1970s romantically known as "the last of the nomads"
http://www.roninfilms.com.au/feature/1832205.html
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 on the edge of the Western Desert at the gateway to the Canning Stock Route
Canning Stock Route
The Canning Stock Route is one of the toughest and most remote tracks in the world. It runs to Halls Creek from Wiluna, both in Western Australia. With a total distance of around it is also the longest historic stock route in the world...
and Gunbarrel Highway
Gunbarrel Highway
The Gunbarrel Highway is an isolated desert track in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. It consists of about of washaways, heavy corrugations, stone, sand and flood plains...
. It is the service centre of the local area for the local Aboriginal people, the pastoral industry, mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
, and many more people work on mines in the area on a "fly-in/fly-out
Fly-in fly-out
Fly-in fly-out is a method of employing people in remote areas. It is often abbreviated to FIFO when referring to employment status. This is common in large mining states in Australia...
" basis. Wiluna's climate is hot and dry, with an annual rainfall of just 254 mm (10 in). Mean maximum temperatures range from 19°C (66°F) in July, to 38°C (100°F) in January.
Overview
Wiluna has a significant number of Indigenous (Aboriginal) people living within its community. The number of varies between 200 and 600 depending upon the nature, time and place of the traditional law ceremonies being carried out across the Central Desert region.The traditional Aboriginal owners were "settled" as a consequence of the colonisation process that began in the 1800s. In the 1950s a church based group were supported by the government of the day to establish a mission. The traditional people lost their lands through many different processes, including the issuing of pastoral leases, the discovery of gold and the influx of non Aboriginal people onto their lands.
Before and after the atomic nuclear testing near Maralinga in the 1950s, many Aboriginal people from at least 3 different tribal and language groups were "forced" to live within the mission site. This created many conflicts and the legacy continues today. Much traditional knowledge and skill exists today amongst the Aboriginal residents and visitors.
The existence of a the local Pub has created much conflict with many people opposed to its presence arising from the conflict and trauma associated with alcohol abuse. The town also has a general store, petrol, caravan park, sports oval, school, health clinic, shelter and more.
Local water holes, much damaged and overused after years of cattle use, provide relief from the hot summer days.
The roads are unsealed and in the wet season the land may fill with large bodies of water. Large lakes may form that attract an array of wildlife. The region has snakes, kangaroos, bungarras
Sand goanna
The Sand goanna is a large Australian monitor lizard - also known as Gould's monitor, the Sand monitor, or Racehorse goanna....
(large lizard/goanna), bush turkeys, donkeys, horses, camels and dingoes.
The closest mine site to town is the Wiluna Gold Mine
Wiluna Gold Mine
The Wiluna Gold Mine is an active gold mine in Western Australia near the town of Wiluna. The mine was active from 1984 till its closure in 2007; when it was put into care and maintenance; and again since late 2008....
, approximately 3 km south of Wiluna. The mine was shut down by its new owner, Apex Minerals, in August 2007 for refurbishment and resource definition. The mine commenced milling again in November 2008 with plans to mill up to 1Mtpa (million tonnes per annum) and produce initially 150kozpa (thousand ounces per annum) increasing to 200kozpa.
Yeleeri mine site, located 100 km south has a load of uranium ore. Within 300 km the region boasts much mineral wealth.
The Wiluna area was explored by Lawrence Wells
Lawrence Wells
Lawrence Allen Wells was an Australian explorer.Wells grew up in the Mount Gambier, South Australia district, and after a short stint in a merchants office, joined the South Australian Survey Department in October 1878. In 1883 the surveyor General, G.W...
in 1892. Gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
was discovered in the area in 1896, and within a few months there were over 300 prospectors in the area. The town of Wiluna was gazetted in 1898, the name Wiluna being the Indigenous Australian name for the area. By the 1930s, the town had a population of over 9,000 people, but World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
severely affected the gold mining industry, and many mines were shut down. By 1963 the population had fallen to less than 100. Gold mining resumed in the area in 1981.
In October 1960, two station workers named Fred Vincenti and Frank Quadrio were opening a fence gate on the Millbillillie-Jundee track 11 kilometres from Wiluna when they witnessed a bright fireball falling into spinifex (Triodia) grassland
Triodia (plant genus)
Triodia is a large genus of hummock-forming grass endemic to Australia; they are commonly known as spinifex, although they are not a part of the coastal genus Spinifex. There are currently 64 recognised species...
to the north of their location. The debris from this meteor became known as the Millbillillie meteorite and is understood to be actual pieces of the asteroid
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
Vesta
4 Vesta
Vesta, formally designated 4 Vesta, is one of the largest asteroids, with a mean diameter of about . It was discovered by Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers on March 29, 1807, and is named after the Roman virgin goddess of home and hearth, Vesta....
that had at some point been knocked off by a collision in the asteroid belt
Asteroid belt
The asteroid belt is the region of the Solar System located roughly between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter. It is occupied by numerous irregularly shaped bodies called asteroids or minor planets...
. Although no official specimens were recovered until 1970 it is understood that members of the local Aboriginal community
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
had collected pieces. http://www.meteorites.com.au/favourite/june2004.html
Wiluna and the Mid-West region are the site of Western Australia's most advanced uranium mining projects. Three projects are in the approval process, the Lake Maitland uranium project, which has a proposed start-of-production date of 2012, the Lake Way uranium project, to begin in 2013, and BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton is a global mining, oil and gas company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and with a major management office in London, United Kingdom...
's Yeelirrie uranium project
Yeelirrie uranium project
The Yeelirrie uranium project is a proposed uranium mining project, located approximately 70 km south west of Wiluna, in the Mid West region of Western Australia....
, scheduled for production by 2014. All three are located within 100 km of Wiluna.
Origin of name
An early mining settlement of Lake Way Gold, named after the dry Lake WayLake Way
Lake Way is a dry lake approximately 15 km south of Wiluna, in the Mid West region of Western Australia. It also gives its name to a nearby cattle station, the Lake Way Station....
south of Wiluna, established around 1896, was called Weeloona, derived from the aboriginal word meaning Place of wind. However, the name is also sometimes claimed to come from the cry of the Curlew
Curlew
The curlews , genus Numenius, are a group of eight species of birds, characterised by long, slender, downcurved bills and mottled brown plumage. They are one of the most ancient lineages of scolopacid waders, together with the godwits which look similar but have straight bills...
, which is frequent in the area.
Climate
Wiluna experiences a desert climateDesert climate
A desert climate , also known as an arid climate, is a climate that does not meet the criteria to be classified as a polar climate, and in which precipitation is too low to sustain any vegetation at all, or at most a very scanty scrub.An area that features this climate usually experiences less than...
(Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
BWh), though like most of inland Western Australia it has seen its rainfall increase by around 40 percent since 1967
Climate change in Australia
Climate change has become a major issue in Australia due to drastic climate events since the turn of the 21st century that have focused government and public attention. Rainfall in Australia has increased slightly over the past century, although there is little or no trend in rainfall in northeast...
. The heaviest rainfall, however, was associated with the amazing April 1900 floods
1900 Western Australian floods
The 1900 Western Australian floods were a series of flooding events from March to May of 1900 that affected large areas of Western Australia, primarily in the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions, though it extended to cover most of the state except the more humid Kimberley and Southwest regions.The...
when the town received an astonishing 527.1 millimetres (20.8 in) or two-and-half-times its normal annual rainfall.
Railways
Wiluna was the furthest away from Perth that the narrow gaugeNarrow gauge
A narrow gauge railway is a railway that has a track gauge narrower than the of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of between and .- Overview :...
Western Australian Government Railways
Western Australian Government Railways
Western Australian Government Railways was most common name of the Western Australian government rail transport authority from 1890 to 1976. It is, in its current form, known as the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia....
system reached. The Wiluna branch was connected to the main Northern Railway
Northern Railway (Western Australia)
-Northampton Line:Opening in 1879 the Northern Line originated as a service between Geraldton port and mines at Northampton. It was the first government built railway in Western Australia - as other lines had been built prior to this date - but they were privately built...
at Meekatharra
Meekatharra, Western Australia
Meekatharra is a town in the Mid West region of Western Australia. Meekatharra is an Australian Aboriginal word meaning 'place of little water'. At the 2006 census, Meekatharra had a population of 798, with 44.0% being Aboriginal....
. The branch opened to Wiluna on 2 November 1932. The line was closed on 5 August 1957.
With the emergence of iron ore traffic, this railway may be rebuilt in whole or in part, possibly as standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
.
People from Wiluna
The Indigenous people who have always lived in this town and region come from different tribal groups. Accomplished hunters, crafts people, pastoralists, bush mechanics and people with many other skills exist today within the community.The former Governor-General of Australia
Governor-General of Australia
The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative in Australia at federal/national level of the Australian monarch . He or she exercises the supreme executive power of the Commonwealth...
, Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Michael Jeffery
Michael Jeffery
Major General Philip Michael Jeffery AC, CVO, MC was the 24th Governor-General of Australia , the first Australian career soldier to be appointed governor-general...
was born in Wiluna on 12 December 1937. A new primary school was constructed in Wiluna after Jeffery visited the town in 2006 and criticised the condition of the existing school.
Warri and Yatungka became famous when they left their mission/settlement to live a hunter gatherer lifestyle in the 1970s romantically known as "the last of the nomads"
http://www.roninfilms.com.au/feature/1832205.html
Further reading
- Garrick Moore: Mining Towns of Western Australia (ISBN 1-875449-34-5), published: 1996
- Phil R. Heydon: Wiluna: Edge of the Desert (ISBN 0-85905-216-8), published: 1996, publisher: Hesperian Press