Gwambygine, Western Australia
| Gwambygine Western Australia | |
|---|---|
  Gwambygine | |
| Coordinates | 31°57′S 116°48′E / 31.95°S 116.80°ECoordinates: 31°57′S 116°48′E / 31.95°S 116.80°E |
| Established | 1902 |
| Postcode(s) | 6302 |
| Elevation | 208 m (682 ft) |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | Shire of York |
| State electorate(s) | Central Wheatbelt |
| Federal Division(s) | Pearce |
Gwambygine is a small town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It is situated between the towns of York and Beverley, and is on the banks of the Avon River.
One of the first known settlers was Rev. J.B. Wittenoom who was granted land in the area in 1831 and named his property Gwambygine . This property was later purchased by the state government in 1901 and sub-divided into blocks called Gwambygine Estate. Some of the land along the Avon was developed as a townsite which was gazetted in 1902.[1]
A railway siding known as Hick's Siding was established adjacent to the town in 1902.[2] The siding was named after J. Hicks who had leased the property in the 1860s. The siding was renamed Gwambygine in 1910.
Gwambygine pool is also close to the town. It is one of the few permanent pools found along the Avon River and a park has been built next to the pool with a boardwalk, viewing tower, playgrounds, gas barbecues and other facilities.[3]
The Gwambygine Homestead, the oldest homestead in Western Australia,[4] is close to the town. The homestead is being restored in 2011 by the National Trust of Australia. The homestead was initially built by the Wittenoom family in the 1830s.[5]
The name of the town is Aboriginal in origin and is the name of a nearby hill also known as Bald Hill. The meaning of the name is not known.
References
- ↑ Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names". Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ↑ Higham, G. J; Geoproject Solutions (2004), Where WAS that? : an historical gazetteer of Western Australia (1st ed ed.), Geoproject Solutions Pty Ltd, ISBN 978-0-646-44186-3 - Higham calls it simply HICKS, and claims 1895 opening and named after E.R. Hicks
- ↑ "Avon Ascent". 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-21.
- ↑ "Gwambygine homestead restoration". 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-21.
- ↑ "Function marks completion of homestead restoration". 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-21.