Westonia, Western Australia

Westonia is a small town located in the eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, 10 kilometres (6 mi) north of the Great Eastern Highway. It is the main town in the Shire of Westonia.

Westonia
Western Australia
Westonia shire offices
Westonia
Coordinates31°18′07″S 118°41′50″E
Population277 (2011 census)[1]
Established1910
Postcode(s)6423
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Westonia
State electorate(s)Central Wheatbelt
Federal Division(s)O'Connor

History

Westonia came into existence with the discovery in 1910 of gold in the area, by a sandalwood cutter named Alfred Weston (May 17, 1876 - September 26, 1924). Initially the area was known as Weston's Reward and later as Westons. By 1915 there were two major mines in the area, and the population was in excess of 500. By 1917 the area, by then known as Westonia, had a population of more than 2,000. In 1919, low gold prices forced the closure of the mines, and many people left the area. Westonia was gazetted as a town in February 1926. In 1935 one of the mines reopened, but closed again in 1948, only to be reopened in 1985.[2] The mine then closed once again in 1991. In mid-2009, it was announced that mining would once again commence at Westonia's Edna May Gold Mine, with the first gold pour anticipated for May 2010, coinciding with the centenary of the discovery of gold in the district.[3]

In October 2009, Westonia won the Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities competition for the central Wheatbelt region.[4] Westonia won the same title in October 2010, and was also declared the state winner in November 2010.

Things to see
  • Westonia Historic Townsite
  • Wolfram Street Facades
  • Westonia Caravan Park
  • Westonia Common
  • Boodalin Soak
  • Elachbutting Rock
  • Yanneymooning Reserve
  • Baladjie Rock
  • Edna May Gold Mine
Westonia Mine from the viewing platform.

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Westonia (SSC) (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  2. Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names – W". Retrieved 25 March 2007.
  3. "Catalpa Resources - Projects". www.catalparesources.com.au. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  4. "Westonia Picks Up Regional Tidy Town Award". www.dec.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 27 October 2009.


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