Devon and Cornwall Group Park

Author

Shire of Denmark

Place Number

14308

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Location

Fernley Rd Denmark

Location Details

Lot 1749

Other Name(s)

Styx River Settlers Park

Local Government

Denmark

Region

Great Southern

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	28 Jun 2011	Considerable Significance	Considerable Significance DESCRIPTION: Very important to the heritage of the locality. High degree of integrity/ authenticity. DESIRED OUTCOME: Conservation of the place is highly desirable. Any alterations or extensions should reinforce the significance of the place.

Statement of Significance

This park has strong historic and social heritage significance. The Parkland was set up during the 1980s with a commemorative plaque to remember the early group settlers.

Physical Description

The site is commemorative parkland with a plaque to remember the early settlers of 1924. The entry to the park is masked with large timber beams that blend in well with the forested areas in the background

History

Group Settlement was a scheme enthusiastically touted by WA Premier of the 1920s, Sir James Mitchell. The scheme started as a way of resettling British ex-servicemen and their families. The families were recruited in groups of up to 20 families at a time. They were then allocated to settle in southwest WA. Fifteen group settlements were established in Denmark. Group campsites were each given official numbers and all the land clearing and house building was done in a uniform way, set out by regulations. The houses were four-roomed weatherboard cottages with verandahs at the front and back. Most farmers were encouraged to operate dairy farms but many problems arose. Lack of farming skills, Denmark wasting disease, isolation from markets and world Depression in 1929 all led to severe financial and spiritual depression. Many group settlement families walked off their properties. Group 114 represented families from Devon and Cornwall in England who camped in this area in April 1924. The park is a reminder of the Group Settlement Scheme which brought 1500 people to the district but is still remembered as a dismal failure.
The idea for the Park was initiated by Wall Ferrell and Pat Swallow. Assistance was given by Main Roads Department bridge building team; Telecom line crew and the descendants of the original group settlers. The name was suggested to explain where the people of Group 114 originally came from in Britain.

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	Denmark Historical Society; "Koorabup, A Special Centennary Issue: selections from denmark's first century 1895-1995". p 34-37		1995

Place Type

Urban Park

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	PARK\RESERVE	Park\Reserve
Present Use	PARK\RESERVE	Park\Reserve

Historic Themes

General	Specific
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY	Settlements

Creation Date

15 Oct 1999

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

27 Nov 2019

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.