Pithara, Western Australia
| Pithara Western Australia | |
|---|---|
 The Pithara Tavern | |
  Pithara | |
| Coordinates | 30°23′S 116°40′E / 30.383°S 116.667°ECoordinates: 30°23′S 116°40′E / 30.383°S 116.667°E |
| Population | 341 (2006 census)[1] |
| Established | 1914 |
| Postcode(s) | 6608 |
| Location | 240 km (149 mi) N of Perth |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Dalwallinu |
| State electorate(s) | Moore |
| Federal Division(s) | Durack |
Pithara is a small town in the wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It is located about 240 km north of Perth, in the Shire of Dalwallinu.[2] At the 2006 census, Pithara had a population of 341.[1]
The name Pithara was originally an Australian Aboriginal name for a nearby well, which first appears on maps of the area in 1907. In April 1913 it was approved as the name of a siding on the Wongan Hills to Mullewa railway line, which was under construction at the time. Shortly afterward, however, the decision was made to rename the siding to Hettie, after the original owner of the land on which the siding was built. In 1914 the government gazetted a townsite at the siding, also naming it Hettie, but this was objected to by locals, and the name Pithara was reinstated.[3][4]
In 1932 the Wheat Pool of Western Australia announced that the town would have two grain elevators, each fitted with an engine, installed at the railway siding.[5]
These days, Pithara primarily serves as a base for the local farming community, and serves large numbers of visitors during the spring when wildflowers bloom in the region.
There is also an active speedway club in town and drivers visit from all over Western Australia to compete in a number of meetings during the year.
The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops. The town is a receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Pithara (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
- ↑ "Pithara". Gazetteer of Australia online. Geoscience Australia, Australian Government.
- ↑ Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names". Retrieved 2009-06-29.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ "Country elevators". The West Australian (Perth, Western Australia: National Library of Australia). 6 July 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
- ↑ "CBH receival sites". 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
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