Pinjarra, Western Australia

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Pinjarra
Western Australia

Murray River and Pinjarra Bridge
Population: 3,295 (2006)
Postcode: 6208
Location:
LGA: Shire of Murray
State District: Murray
Federal Division: Canning

Pinjarra is a town in the Peel region of Western Australia along the South Western Highway, 86 kilometres (53 mi) from the state capital, Perth and 21 kilometres (13 mi) south-east of the coastal city of Mandurah. Its local government area is the Shire of Murray.

It is near the site of the famous Battle of Pinjarra, where between 14 and 40 Aboriginals were killed by British colonists.

Contents

[edit] History

It is an area rich in history and is the home town of a former State Premier - Sir Ross McLarty. It is located near a ford over the Murray River, and land was reserved for a townsite here in 1831. Surveys were carried out in 1836 and land allocated to settlers in 1837.

The name was often shown spelt "Pinjarrup" on early maps, while the accepted spelling for many years was "Pinjarrah". There are conflicting theories regarding the meaning of this Aboriginal word and is usually said to mean "place of a swamp", but is more likely named after the Pindjarup people who frequented the area.[1]

A British child migration scheme run by Kingsley Fairbridge established a farm school in the area in the early 1900s. Hundreds of orphaned children were educated at Fairbridge Farm between 1913 and 1981.

The author Kenneth (Seaforth) McKenzie grew up here - and parts of his experiences as a child living near the Murray River are found in his first novel The Young Desire It.

[edit] Famous People

[edit] Transport

Pinjarra serves as a stop on the Australind passenger train from Perth to Bunbury.

Preceding station   Transwa Trains network   Following station
towards Perth
 Australind
towards Bunbury

[edit] Tourism

Pinjarra is the operating base for the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Western Australian Land Information Authority. History of country town names - P. Retrieved on 2007-04-17.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Towns and suburbs in the Shire of Murray | Peel Region | Western Australia

Banksiadale · Barragup · Blythewood · Carcoola · Coolup · Dwellingup · Furnissdale · Nambeelup · North Dandalup · North Yunderup · Pinjarra · Ravenswood · South Yunderup · Stake Hill
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