Martinup Lake

Statement of Significance

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

Physical Description

A medium oval shaped size salt lake with an area of 166 acres. The depth varies with a maximum
of 1 metre.

It is part of a chain of lakes which when they overflow discharges water into the ill defined east
branch of the Beaufort River.

History

The name is derived from the Aboriginal word 'Mart' which refers to the large bones in the legs
of the kangaroos or humans. To the west are other derivatives, 'Martup Pool' and 'Martup Hills'.

The land west of the railway line between Lime Lake and Round Pool had not been thought
worthy of selection by the WA Land Company agents when they picked the best land for the
company along the railway at the time of its construction in the 1880's. Tom Cornwall, owner of
the Beaufort and Queerearrup Stations, was quoted as telling the Douglas brothers when they
were working for him in 1895 that no other land in the area apart from Queerearrup and the
Beaufort would ever be taken up as it was too poor. However, the efforts of the pioneers and
subsequent generations has proved this judgement incorrect.

Pioneers of this area were the Douglas family. Joe Douglas and his five sons all selected land,
built homesteads and farmed in the Lakes country - stretching east from Harry's selection
('Dowlering'), Jim ('Miripin' - Murapin Lake), George ('Grandfather Swamp' near Queerearrup
Lake), Harold ('Kenmare' near hall), Joe ("The Lakes') and Archie ('Little Kojonolokan' - later
'Adadalef'). In addition, their relatives - brothers Linley, Arch and Rene Thompson; and friend
Sammy Roberts were other pioneers in the area.

Harry Douglas had a large block of land (1378 a) comprising the Beaufort Flats which was
bordered on the north by the overflow branch from Lake Charling and on the south by the more
defined eastern branch from Martinup Lake. Harry and his 16 year old brother Archie arrived in
Albany in 1984. They walked up to the Beaufort where they obtained work fencing and
shepherding with Tom Cornwall. Impressed with the prospects they selected land. Harry helped
Archie build his camp at Little Kojonolokan and then set off for the Goldfields to earn enough to
start developing his block. By this time most of the quick money had been made and Harry got
work grubbing poison on the race course and was its first caretaker. Returning to the Lakes, he
married Louise Watson of Boyerine and raised a family who attended the Dowlering School. Due
to the depression and rabbits, Douglas was forced to sell his farm and the family moved to
Albany. Young Sam Roberts bought the property and it was later incorporated into
'Wandibirrup'.

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.