Cooya Pooya

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Cooya Pooya
Location in Western Australia

Coordinates: 21°02′02″S 117°08′20″E / 21.034°S 117.139°E / -21.034; 117.139 (Cooya Pooya) Cooya Pooya Station most often referred to as Cooya Pooya or Cooyapooya is a pastoral lease operating as a sheep station in Western Australia.

The property is situated approximately 29 kilometres (18 mi) south of Roebourne and 60 kilometres (37 mi) south east of Dampier along the banks of the Harding River in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

The unusual name of the station is a corruption of Cooa Pooey, the Aboriginal name of a water hole near the homestead.

The first settlers in the area were Thomas Lockyer[1] and his four sons, who arrived from Northam and took up the lease in 1864. At the time the property was known as Table Hill Station.[2]

George Lockyer died at Cooya Pooya of pleurisy in 1893 at 49 years of age. He had arrived at the property in 1865 representing his father's pastoral syndicate. The Lockyer brothers had built up a large pastoral interest in the region; they also owned Mulga Downs and Portland Stations.[3]

Following a drought the station was abandoned for a time in 1897, with all stock being removed to the tableland.[4]

Samuel L. Burges owned Cooya Pooya in 1911 and also acquired neighbouring Springs Station in the same year.[5] By 1912 the property was carrying a flock of 22,000 sheep and shearing produced 340 bales of wool.[6] In 1915 the combined flock size between Cooya Pooya snd Mulga Downs was 35,000 sheep. The manager, Mr G. R. Turner, left the property in the same year, after seven years in charge.[7]

The Stove brothers acquired the station prior to 1925, adding it to their portfolio of property, which included Mount Welcome and Cherritta stations. The region was struck by a severe cyclone in early 1925, causing severe damage to Cooya Pooya and many other properties in the area.[8]

By 1950, Percy Stove and his wife left the station to move south. Their son Jack Stove took over management of the property in their absence.[9] The following year Stove was lucky not to be killed when a fire broke out in the storeroom, and a box of gelignite exploded. An estimated £200 worth of damage was caused to the storeroom, the roof of which blew off in the explosion.[10]

The old homestead was placed on the state heritage list in 1998. The listing recognized the major role that the station played in the development of the pastoral industry in the region. The building is a single storey stone structure with an iron roof and detached kitchen.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Our Flocks and Herds.". Western Mail (Perth, Western Australia: National Library of Australia). 21 December 1917. p. 27. Retrieved 18 September 2013. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Old Cooya Pooya homestead in Pilbara to have interim heritage listing". Ministerial Media Statements. Government of Western Australia. 29 June 1998. Retrieved 18 September 1998. 
  3. ↑ "Nor'-West News.". The West Australian (Perth, Western Australia: National Library of Australia). 28 October 1893. p. 4. Retrieved 19 September 2013. 
  4. ↑ "Roebourne". Western Mail (Perth, Western Australia: National Library of Australia). 25 June 1897. p. 56. Retrieved 21 September 2013. 
  5. ↑ "Roebourne.". Northern Times (Carnarvon, Western Australia: National Library of Australia). 12 August 1911. p. 4. Retrieved 19 September 2013. 
  6. ↑ "Cooyapooya". Northern Times (Carnarvon, Western Australia: National Library of Australia). 19 October 1912. p. 3. Retrieved 20 September 2013. 
  7. ↑ "Cooyapooya". Northern Times (Carnarvon, Western Australia: National Library of Australia). 29 May 1915. p. 5. Retrieved 20 September 2013. 
  8. ↑ "North-West Cyclone". The Argus (Melbourne, Victoria: National Library of Australia). 4 February 1925. p. 17. Retrieved 21 September 2013. 
  9. ↑ "Roebourne News.". Northern Times (Carnarvon, Western Australia: National Library of Australia). 16 November 1950. p. 3. Retrieved 19 September 2013. 
  10. ↑ "Roebourne News.". Northern Times (Carnarvon, Western Australia: National Library of Australia). 22 November 1951. p. 3. Retrieved 19 September 2013. 
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