Newdegate, Western Australia

Newdegate is a townsite in the Great Southern agricultural region, 399 km south-east of Perth and 52 km east of Lake Grace in Western Australia. The townsite was gazetted in 1925 and honours Sir Francis Newdegate, the Governor of Western Australia from 1920 to 1924. The Department of Agriculture and Food operates one of its 13 research stations in the area of Newdegate.

Newdegate
Western Australia
Newdegate Hotel
Newdegate
Coordinates33.093°S 119.024°E / -33.093; 119.024
Population167 (2016 census)[1]
Established1925
Postcode(s)6355
Elevation308 m (1,010 ft)
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Lake Grace
State electorate(s)Roe
Federal Division(s)O'Connor

Newdegate is situated in the heart of the south-eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia – about halfway between Perth in the west and Esperance in the south-east. It is a very successful grain and sheep farming area. Newdegate is central to the Western Mallee subregion of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia. It is a sparsely populated subregion with an area of about 47,000 square kilometres (18,147 sq mi).

The local hall was opened in 1926 by Mr. B Carruthers from Lake Grace. A gold reef was found to the north east of town the same year.[2]

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.[3]

The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops. The town is a primary site receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.[4]

Field days

The annual Newdegate machinery field days have been held for more than 45 years. Displays include machinery and farm equipment as well as sheep and shearing competitions, fleece competitions, a ewe/hogget competition, cattle displays, wine tasting, art competition and exhibition, live music and entertainment. In 2007 a natural fibre fashion award was held.[5]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Newdegate (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  2. "Summary". Western Mail. Perth: National Library of Australia. 29 April 1926. p. 19. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  3. "Country elevators". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 6 July 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  4. "CBH receival sites" (PDF). 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  5. "Newdegate Field Day website". 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
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