Queerearrup Lake

Statement of Significance

The lake is a significant feature of the landscape. It also is connected with early pioneers.

Physical Description

A very large salt lake with a total surface area of 941 acres making it the largest lake (ahead of Charling 800
acres) in the Woodanilling Shire. Depth varies to a maximum of 2 metres. It has an elongated shape and
virtually joins Charling on the west and close by on the east is Flagstaff Lake. On the west is a high bank
with Melaleuca sp nearest water (timber closest water edge is dead indicating increasing salinity/rising
water level), then casuarina obesia and then jam (acacia acuminata) and swamp yate. It is part of a chain of
lakes which when they overflow discharges water into the ill defined east branch of the Beaufort River.
When inspected in April 99 it had a low level of water.
Designated use is recreation with a piece around the perimeter separately designated public recreation -
Reserve 29644/9176 of 380 acres. The top (northern) quarter of the lake is in the Wagin Shire .

History

The origin of the name comes from the Aboriginal work 'Queer' meaning brush wallaby. To the north of
the lake is a spring of the same name and on the north west bank of the lake is Queerearrup Rock.
The Queerearrup Station homestead built by Thomas Cornwall was to the NW of the lake in the Wagin
Shire and was run in conjunction with the Beaufort Station. South of the lake was taken up in 160 acre
blocks by the Thompson family; while Sam Roberts had the land bordering the lake on the SE, E & NE.
Linley Thompson was the eldest of three brothers who came to the lakes area north west of Woodanilling,
from SA. They were related to the Douglas's so it was natural to select land near them. Lin left school at
13, and went to work in the cellars. For a time he studied assaying at the School of Mines, but with day
work in the cellars, and studying at night he appeared to be suffering from consumption. So at the age of 19
he was sent to the west to recover. Here, he obtained work with George Douglas. When his brother Arch
came over, they went on the land taking advantage of the free homestead blocks of 160 acres. Their
brother, Rene, who was only 16 at the time, put his age up to 18 to also stake his claim. These three
selections were side by side on the SW shore of Lake Queerearrup. The boys' father, William, came across
for a while and also claimed a homestead block. He brought with him the iron for the roof of a two roomed
shack Arch and Lin had built. William planted 15 acres of Gordon Blanco Rosen vines, the cuttings of
which he presumably brought from SA. The vines grew very well, but what survived the heavy frosts were
destroyed by bush fire.
However, none of the brothers were to remain long on their selections. Rene was the first to go and he sold
out to Sammy Roberts in 1909 and found work in a store in Woodanilling. In 1912 he married another ex
South Australian, Nell Gilmour. After working in Fremantle, Rene went to manage a store in Lake Grace in
1927. Later in the period 1935-1940, he bought Dival's store in Woodanilling. While here the eldest of
their four children, Beryl, married Lew Douglas and moved in to the old Douglas homestead at 'The
Lakes'. Archie sold his land to Jackie Merritt and returned to SA where he took employment as a motor
mechanic. Linely hung on for a time and bought a hundred sheep, but was forced off the land through the
regrowth of a lip tumour which was aggravated by exposure to the sun. After he sold his block on the SW
bank of Queerearrup Lake to Ted Reschke, Linley took a job on the railways and was at Kalgoorlie when he
enlisted as a stretcher bearer. In France he was exposed to mustard gas and suffered from its poisonous
effects. He was repatriated back to Australia, was educated as a teacher and taught at many small country
schools throughout the State. Despite his health problems, Lin lived to the age of 75 passing away while
living in retirement at Glen Forrest.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.