York, Western Australia
Encyclopedia
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
. Home to 2,088 people at the 2006 census, it was settled in 1831, only two years after Perth was settled in 1829.
in 1829, it became evident that suitable land would have to be discovered for the growing of cereal crops needed to provide necessary food.
Robert Dale
, a 21 year old officer of the 63rd Regiment, was assigned the making of the first exploratory journey over the Darling Range
during the winter months of 1830 into what was later to become known as the Avon Valley.
As a result of these explorations, Governor Stirling
decided that the new district would be thrown open for selection and this was done by Government Notice on 11 November 1830.
Named after the city of York
in England
, the first settlers in the district reached the valley on 15 September 1831, and immediately set about the construction of huts, the preparation required for their stock and the cultivation of new land.
The first decade of settlement in the Avon Valley showed steady progress and a clear indication that the whole district should develop into a rich and prosperous farming area.
A township did not begin to appear until 1836 when an army barracks and store were built. It then began to take shape and great improvements were noted as private and Government buildings were erected.http://www.york.wa.gov.au
By the late 1880s the town was teeming with miners and fossickers, all alighting from the train and preparing to make the long journey across the plains to the goldfields. It was during the period 1886 to 1900 that most of the town's impressive buildings were constructed.
since 1877 until 1996. The mean annual daily maximum temperature is 24.7 °C and the mean annual daily minimum temperature is 10.5 °C. The hottest month is January with a mean maximum temperature of 33.6 °C. The coolest month is July with a mean minimum temperature of 5.3 °C. Mean temperatures are based upon data from 1880 to 1996. York has a mean annual rainfall of 449.8 mm. The wettest month is June with 87.9 mm and the driest is January with 9.5 mm.
A severe thunderstorm
lashed the town and surrounding areas on 27 January 2011, resulting in roofs being ripped off, trees being uprooted and power lines being brought down.
About 40 houses were damaged in the town as a result of the storm but no injuries were reported..
The town has adapted by changing from a traditional sheep and wheat
agricultural community into a tourist town. This features music festivals, a motor museum, recreational facilities including skydiving and paragliding, many bed and breakfast services and the picturesque Avon River
. The town population in 2010 was approximately 3800 and increasing 4% annually.
York is well serviced with all essential facilities, including York District High School for students from kindergarten to Year 10. The York Visitor Centre is located in the Town Hall. The York Telecentre
(TAFE / Westlink) enables access to tertiary education. There is a 24/7 medical service, the York District Hospital, library, and swimming pool.
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...
, situated 97 km east of Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
in the Avon Valley
Avon Valley, Western Australia
Avon Valley may refer to:* the fertile land in the catchment of the Avon River * the Avon Valley National Park* the final Eastern Railway route through the valley* Avon Valley School...
near Northam
Northam, Western Australia
Northam is a town in Western Australia, situated at the confluence of the Avon and Mortlock Rivers, about north-east of Perth in the Avon Valley. At the 2006 census, Northam had a population of 6,009. Northam is the largest town in the Avon region...
, and is the seat of the Shire of York
Shire of York
The Shire of York is a Local Government Area in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, covering an area of just beyond the eastern fringe of Perth's metropolitan area. The Shire's seat of government is the town of York.-History:...
. Home to 2,088 people at the 2006 census, it was settled in 1831, only two years after Perth was settled in 1829.
History
With the increasing population of the then Swan River SettlementSwan River Colony
The Swan River Colony was a British settlement established in 1829 on the Swan River, in Western Australia. The name was a pars pro toto for Western Australia. In 1832, the colony was officially renamed Western Australia, when the colony's founding Lieutenant-Governor, Captain James Stirling,...
in 1829, it became evident that suitable land would have to be discovered for the growing of cereal crops needed to provide necessary food.
Robert Dale
Robert Dale
Lieutenant Robert Dale was the first European explorer to cross the Darling Range in Western Australia.Robert Dale was born in England in October 1812...
, a 21 year old officer of the 63rd Regiment, was assigned the making of the first exploratory journey over the Darling Range
Darling Scarp
The Darling Scarp, also referred to as the Darling Range or Darling Ranges, is a low escarpment running north-south to the east of the Swan Coastal Plain and Perth, Western Australia...
during the winter months of 1830 into what was later to become known as the Avon Valley.
As a result of these explorations, Governor Stirling
James Stirling (Australian governor)
Admiral Sir James Stirling RN was a British naval officer and colonial administrator. His enthusiasm and persistence persuaded the British Government to establish the Swan River Colony and he became the first Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Western Australia...
decided that the new district would be thrown open for selection and this was done by Government Notice on 11 November 1830.
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the first settlers in the district reached the valley on 15 September 1831, and immediately set about the construction of huts, the preparation required for their stock and the cultivation of new land.
The first decade of settlement in the Avon Valley showed steady progress and a clear indication that the whole district should develop into a rich and prosperous farming area.
A township did not begin to appear until 1836 when an army barracks and store were built. It then began to take shape and great improvements were noted as private and Government buildings were erected.http://www.york.wa.gov.au
By the late 1880s the town was teeming with miners and fossickers, all alighting from the train and preparing to make the long journey across the plains to the goldfields. It was during the period 1886 to 1900 that most of the town's impressive buildings were constructed.
Climate
York is located within a temperate climate zone and experiences distinctly dry (and hot) summers and cold winters. Climate data has been recorded at York Post Office by the Bureau of MeteorologyBureau of Meteorology
The Bureau of Meteorology is an Executive Agency of the Australian Government responsible for providing weather services to Australia and surrounding areas. It was established in 1906 under the Meteorology Act, and brought together the state meteorological services that existed before then...
since 1877 until 1996. The mean annual daily maximum temperature is 24.7 °C and the mean annual daily minimum temperature is 10.5 °C. The hottest month is January with a mean maximum temperature of 33.6 °C. The coolest month is July with a mean minimum temperature of 5.3 °C. Mean temperatures are based upon data from 1880 to 1996. York has a mean annual rainfall of 449.8 mm. The wettest month is June with 87.9 mm and the driest is January with 9.5 mm.
A severe thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm, also known as an electrical storm, a lightning storm, thundershower or simply a storm is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the Earth's atmosphere known as thunder. The meteorologically assigned cloud type associated with the...
lashed the town and surrounding areas on 27 January 2011, resulting in roofs being ripped off, trees being uprooted and power lines being brought down.
About 40 houses were damaged in the town as a result of the storm but no injuries were reported..
Facilities and Attractions
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
agricultural community into a tourist town. This features music festivals, a motor museum, recreational facilities including skydiving and paragliding, many bed and breakfast services and the picturesque 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:...
. The town population in 2010 was approximately 3800 and increasing 4% annually.
York is well serviced with all essential facilities, including York District High School for students from kindergarten to Year 10. The York Visitor Centre is located in the Town Hall. The York Telecentre
Telecentre
A telecentre is a public place where people can access computers, the Internet, and other digital technologies that enable them to gather information, create, learn, and communicate with others while they develop essential digital skills...
(TAFE / Westlink) enables access to tertiary education. There is a 24/7 medical service, the York District Hospital, library, and swimming pool.