Greenbushes, Western Australia

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Greenbushes
WA
Population: 342 [1]
Postcode: 6254
Location: 250 km (155 mi) S of Perth
LGA: Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes
State District: Warren-Blackwood
Federal Division: Forrest

Greenbushes is a timber and mining town located in the South West region of Western Australia.

Contents

[edit] History

Greenbushes was founded as a mining town in 1888 following a surveyor's discovery of tin in 1886.[2] Greenbushes was named after the bright green bushes that contrasted against the grey eucalyptus trees.[3] The railway from Donnybrook to Bridgetown opened in 1898, with Greenbushes station located approximately six kilometres north of the main townsite.[3] The area surrounding the train station was renamed North Greenbushes to reduce confusion.[3]

Blackwood Road in Greenbushes, in the 1920s.
Blackwood Road in Greenbushes, in the 1920s.

The town experienced a period of economic boom until the international price of tin slumped in 1893, which caused the Greenbushes industry to collapse.[2] By 1913, approximately one quarter of Greenbushes' inhabitants were working in the timber industry, which was established shortly after the first mine.[2]

[edit] Industry

Greenbushes' two major industries are mining, producing tantalite concentrates, lithium minerals, tin metal and kaolin; and timber milling.[4] Agriculture, viticulture, tourism and art galleries are also part of Greenbushes' industry.[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). Greenbushes (L) (Urban Centre/Locality). 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  2. ^ a b c "Travel: Greenbushes", The Sydney Morning Herald, 8 February, 2004. Retrieved on 2008-01-15. 
  3. ^ a b c Landgate History of Country Town Names. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  4. ^ a b Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes: Business and Industry. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 33°51′″S, 116°3′″E