| Woodanilling Western Australia | |
|---|---|
 Building in Woodanilling | |
  Woodanilling | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 33°34′00″S117°26′00″E / 33.56667°S 117.43333°E Coordinates: 33°34′00″S117°26′00″E / 33.56667°S 117.43333°E |
| Population | 207 (SAL 2021) [1] |
| Established | 1892 |
| Postcode(s) | 6316 |
| Elevation | 311 m (1,020 ft) |
| Area | 89.5 km2 (34.6 sq mi) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Woodanilling |
| State electorate(s) | Roe |
| Federal division(s) | O'Connor |
Woodanilling is a small town in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.
The town is 254 kilometres (158 mi) south of Perth on the Great Southern Highway, 24 kilometres (15 mi) from Katanning and 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Wagin.
The town is in a sheep and grain producing area and was named after a spring in the Boyerine Creek, found about 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) south of town.
The Wiilman people are the traditional owners of the Woodanilling area.
During 1830–31, the area was first explored by Europeans, in expeditions by Captain Thomas Bannister. The construction of Albany Highway in the early 1850s and the Great Southern Railway in 1889 brought settlers to the area and helped to establish the town, which was located on a railway siding that was initially known as Round Pool. The townsite was gazetted in 1892. In 1895 it was renamed Yarabin and changed finally to Woodanilling the following year (1896). [2] The name Woodanilling is Aboriginal in origin and means either "lots of minnows" or "place where the bronzewing pigeon nests".
An agricultural hall and public school were built in the town prior to 1903 (when the school was closed temporarily after the teacher, a Mr Campbell, was transferred). [3]
By 1906, the Woodanilling Road Board was formed and the population of the shire swelled to 800, during its most prosperous period (1905 to 1920). [4] At around this time the town boasted five general stores, a blacksmith, post office, bakery, hotel, railway station and trotting track. [5]
"Mallet" (marlock or mallee) bark was also exported from the area in large quantities by 1907. [6]
The foundation stone of the local Baptist church was laid in 1908 in front of a large gathering including the local pastor, Rev. W. Kennedy. [7]
The Western Australian Bank branch and new hotel were erected in the town in 1908, along with many improvements being made to the school. Local farmers were confident of a bumper crop after experiencing favourable conditions for the year. [8] The railway station yard was upgraded later the same year, a weighbridge, new crossing, tracking yards and enlarging the current yard were all completed the following year. [9] The school changed teachers four times in 1908, with finding suitable quarters being the main problem. The school was also enlarged to cater for the growing enrolment. [10]
Between 1920 and 1960 migrants from Ireland, Germany, England and even China arrived contributing to the fabric of the local community. [5]
The local school was destroyed by fire in June 1949, [11] the school had 64 students enrolled at the time. [12] By November the minister of education decided that a new primary school would be built but older students would travel to Katanning for their classes. [13]
The town services the surrounding area which is primarily concerned with sheep and wheat.
Katanning is a town located 277 kilometres (172 mi) south-east of Perth, Western Australia on the Great Southern Highway. At the 2016 census, Katanning had a population of 3,687.
Wagin is a town and shire in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, approximately 225 km (139.81 mi) south-east of Perth on the Great Southern Highway between Narrogin and Katanning. It is also on State Route 107. The main industries are wheat and sheep farming.
Narrogin is a large town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, 192 kilometres (119 mi) southeast of Perth on the Great Southern Highway between Pingelly and Wagin. In the age of steam engines, Narrogin was one of the largest railway operation hubs in the southern part of Western Australia.
Great Southern Highway is a highway in the southern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, starting from Great Eastern Highway at The Lakes, 50 km (31 mi) from Perth, and ending at Albany Highway near Cranbrook. It is the primary thoroughfare for this part of Western Australia and runs parallel with the Perth-Albany railway for its entire length. It is signed as State Route 120 from York to Cranbrook, and was first named in 1949, although it was built well before that time.
Cookernup is a town in the South West of Western Australia near the South Western Highway, between Waroona and Harvey.
The town of Hyden is located 292 kilometres (181 mi) east-southeast of Perth, Western Australia in the Shire of Kondinin. Hyden is home to Wave Rock, Mulka's Cave and Hippos Yawn, all popular local tourist attractions.
Beverley is a town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, 133 kilometres (83 mi) south-east of the state capital, Perth, between York and Brookton on the Great Southern Highway. It is on the Great Southern railway line.
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Ongerup is a town 410 kilometres (250 mi) south-east of Perth and 54 kilometres (34 mi) east of Gnowangerup in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. At the 2016 census Ongerup had a population of 93.
Gnowangerup is a town located 61 kilometres (38 mi) south-east of Katanning in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.
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Yornaning is a small town located in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, on Great Southern Highway, between Pingelly and Narrogin.
Pingelly is a town and shire located in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, 158 kilometres (98 mi) from Perth via the Brookton Highway and Great Southern Highway. The town is also located on the Great Southern railway line.
Nungarin is a town located in the north east of the 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.
The Shire of Woodanilling is a local government area in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Wagin and about 260 kilometres (162 mi) south-southeast of the state capital, Perth. The Shire covers an area of 1,129 square kilometres (436 sq mi), and its seat of government is the town of Woodanilling.
Quairading is a Western Australian town located in the Wheatbelt region. It is the seat of government for the Shire of Quairading.
Clackline is a locality in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, about 80 kilometres (50 mi) east-north-east of Perth.
The Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup is a local government area in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, 320 kilometres (200 mi) south-southeast of the state capital, Perth. The Shire covers an area of 2,609.1 square kilometres (1,007.4 sq mi), and its seat of government is the town of Tambellup. It came into existence in 2008 through the amalgamation of the former Shire of Broomehill and Shire of Tambellup.
Badgebup is a small community in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. The town is located between the towns of Katanning and Nyabing, and is approximatey 270 kilometres (170 mi) southwest of Perth. The Badgebup Reserve, north of the town, forms part of the Kwobrup-Badgebup Important Bird Area.
