Nungarin, Western Australia

Nungarin
Western Australia

Railway Avenue, Nungarin, 2014
Nungarin
Coordinates 31°11′13″S 118°06′04″E / 31.187°S 118.101°E / -31.187; 118.101Coordinates: 31°11′13″S 118°06′04″E / 31.187°S 118.101°E / -31.187; 118.101
Population 142 (2006 census)[1]
Established 1910s
Postcode(s) 6490
Elevation 296 m (971 ft)
Location
LGA(s) Shire of Nungarin
State electorate(s) Central Wheatbelt
Federal Division(s) Durack

Nungarin is a town located in the North Eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, approximately 278 kilometres (173 mi) east of Perth and 39 kilometres (24 mi) north of Merredin. It is the main town in the Shire of Nungarin. At the 2006 census, Nungarin had a population of 142.[1]

The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops. The town is a receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.[2]

History

Alice Williams Memorial Building in Nungarin

In October 1910, 1,486 acres (6.01 km2) at Avon Location 14227 and 14230 were set aside as a townsite reserve along the Dowerin to Merredin railway.[3] The townsite itself was gazetted in 1912.[4]

The local Hall was being built in 1919,[5] and was open by the following year.[6] . A large fire in 1922 destroyed Messrs Thomas and Thicks store along with the post office branch and the managers residence of the Nungarin Farmers Cooperative Society. It was not known what caused the fire which caused damage estimated at £12,000. The Farmers Cooperative reopened in the Hall and the post office moved to the station building.[7]

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.[8] Construction of the bins for the bulk handling of wheat commenced late in 1933 with 30 men employed to complete the work.[9]

During the second world war it was an important army ordnance camp – 5 Base Ordnance Depot was established at the Nungarin Army Depot and Workshop. The site for the Army Depot was apparently selected as it was outside the range of Japanese carrier-based aircraft, and was readily accessible by the rail network.[10]

In 1946 a number of fires damaged army property [11][12] In the post war era it was a site of large disposal sales [13][14][15]

The former army camp is now the site of the Nungarin Heritage Machinery and Army Museum [16] The former Nungarin railway station building has been relocated to the Bennett Brook Railway at Whiteman Park in Perth.

Politics

Polling place statistics are shown below showing the votes from Nungarin in the federal and state elections as indicated.

2004 Federal Election
Source: AEC
  Liberal 46.3%
  The Nationals 34.7%
  Labor 9.47%
  One Nation 4.21%
  Greens 3.16%
2001 Federal Election
Source: AEC
  Liberal 52.2%
  The Nationals 17.9%
  One Nation 14.9%
  Labor 10.5%
  Democrats 1.49%
1998 Federal Election
Source: AEC
  Liberal 50.8%
  The Nationals 23.8%
  One Nation 12.3%
  Labor 6.56%
  Democrats 3.28%
2005 State Election
Source: WAEC
  The Nationals 59.8%
  Liberal 13.7%
  Labor 13.7%
  New Country 6.86%
  One Nation 3.92%
2001 State Election
Source: WAEC
  The Nationals 61.5%
  One Nation 20.0%
  Labor 12.3%
  Independent 3.08%
  Greens 2.31%
1996 State Election
Source: WAEC
  The Nationals 86.6%
  Labor 13.4%

References

  1. 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Nungarin (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  2. "CBH receival sites" (PDF). 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  3. "Reserves – Avon (13099) (per 13021/10)". Western Australia Government Gazette. 28 October 1910. p. 1910:3327.
  4. "New Townsite – Nungarin (per 13021/10)". Western Australia Government Gazette. 4 March 1912. p. 1912:1083.
  5. "Advertising.". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 4 January 1919. p. 3. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  6. "Advertising.". Sunday Times. Perth: National Library of Australia. 30 May 1920. p. 5 Section: Second Section. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  7. "Countyy fires. Extensive Damage.". Western Mail. Perth: National Library of Australia. 23 February 1922. p. 8. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  8. "Country elevators". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 6 July 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  9. "Country news". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 2 October 1933. p. 14. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  10. http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/13710/20040921-0000/home.st.net.au/_dunn/locations/nungarinarmydepot.htm
  11. "£100,000 Fire Guts Nungarin Army Store.". The Daily News. Perth: National Library of Australia. 20 February 1946. p. 1 Edition: CITY FINAL. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  12. "Army Men Suspect Nungarin Firebug.". The Daily News. Perth: National Library of Australia. 1 April 1946. p. 1 Edition: HOME EDITION. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  13. "Flooring Timber". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 27 August 1946. p. 6. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  14. "Lamps Will Help In Blackout.". The Daily News. Perth: National Library of Australia. 9 June 1949. p. 11 Edition: HOME. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  15. "Country Clean-Up.". Sunday Times. Perth: National Library of Australia. 21 September 1947. p. 13. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  16. http://www.collectionsaustralia.net/org/1607

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