Gwambygine, Western Australia

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 is located in Western Australia
Gwambygine
Gwambygine
Coordinates31.95°S 116.80°E / -31.95; 116.80
Population83 (SAL 2021)[1]
Established1902
Postcode(s)6302
Elevation208 m (682 ft)
Area48.2 km2 (18.6 sq mi)
Location
  • 109 km (68 mi) E of Perth
  • 13 km (8 mi) SSE of York
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 and a park has been built next to the pool with a boardwalk, viewing tower, playgrounds, gas barbecues and other facilities.[4]

The Gwambygine Homestead, the oldest homestead in Western Australia,[5] 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.[6]

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

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Gwambygine (Suburb and Locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  2. "History of country town names – G". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  3. 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
  4. "Avon Ascent". 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  5. "Gwambygine homestead restoration". 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  6. "Function marks completion of homestead restoration". 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
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