Gwambygine is a small town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It is situated between the towns of York and Beverley, on the banks of the Avon River.
| Gwambygine Western Australia | |
|---|---|
  Gwambygine | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 31°57′S 116°48′E / 31.95°S 116.80°E |
| Population | 83 (SAL 2021)[1] |
| Established | 1902 |
| Postcode(s) | 6302 |
| Elevation | 208 m (682 ft) |
| Area | 48.2 km2 (18.6 sq mi) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of York |
| State electorate(s) | Central Wheatbelt |
| Federal division(s) | Pearce |
One of the first known settlers was John Burdett 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.[2]
A railway siding known as Hick's Siding was established adjacent to the town in 1902.[3] 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.[4]
A park has been built next to the pool with a boardwalk, viewing tower, playgrounds, gas barbecues and other facilities.[5] The Gwambygine Homestead, the oldest homestead in Western Australia,[6] is close to the town. The homestead was being restored in 2011 by the National Trust of Australia. The homestead was initially built by the Wittenoom family in the 1830s.[7][8]
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.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Gwambygine (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ "History of country town names – G". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
- ^ Higham, G. J; Geoproject Solutions (2004), Where WAS that? : an historical gazetteer of Western Australia (1st 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
- ^ Viv Read and Associates (2001), Gwambygine Pool management plan, Water & Rivers Commission, ISBN 978-0-7309-7553-3
- ^ "Avon Ascent". 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
- ^ "Gwambygine homestead restoration". 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
- ^ "Function marks completion of homestead restoration". 2011. Archived from the original on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
- ^ Taylor, Robyn; Bodycoat, Ronald; Heritage Council of Western Australia (2007), Gwambygine Farm and Pool, Western Australia : conservation plan, Distributed by Heritage Council of WA], retrieved 31 August 2024
