Boodalin Well (Yarkarakine - Bodallin) Well No.10

Statement of Significance

Hunt's track has great historical significance as a precursor to other events, including:
1. The establishment of the telegraph line to Kalgoorlie and the first stage of the transcontinental railway line, both of which follow its general course.
2. The routing of the Perth to Kalgoorlie pipeline.
3. The movement of prospectors and later pastoralists in the Western Australian interior.

Physical Description

This well was dug on 13 March 1865 after Hunt first examined the area in March 1864. During the return leg of his 1866 expedition he noted the well had one
metre of water in it - as similar level as experienced 3 months earlier.

History

Charles C Hunt led government backed expeditions into the Yilgarn between 1864-66. His aim was to discover and map water sources that could ensure a reliable supply for future venturers going east. He also sought a further assessment of the region for pastoral use. The expeditions
led to the discovery of some good water sources. Some were improved by being shored up or having the catchment area enlarged. A number of water sites mapped by C Hunt have been recognised as significant to the survival of the early explorers, prospectors and settlers in the Yilgarn district. During his second journey of 1864 for the York Agricultural Society and subsequent expeditions in 1865 and 1866, Hunt succeeded in clearing a track some 300 miles to the east of York. The track which he cut as far as Lake Lefroy was cleared the greatest part of the series of 26 wells, dams, tanks, soaks and other seasonally reliable water holes, securing a safe
route to the Hampton Plains.
Hunt's wells and soaks were constructed by a workforce of pensioner soldiers and probationary convicts. The wells took many hours to build, being carefully lined with slabs of granite and timber poles. In his journeys ahead of his construction team to look for more potential wells. Hunt often
came upon wells that he named and recorded locations for, although he chose not to develop them as the water yield was either insufficient or not reliable enough to be included in this track. One of these wells is at Duladgin, now on the Duladgin Nature Reserve and Class C Reserve
Aboriginal Use of the Wells
Many of the wells that Hunt and his party excavated were well known by his Aboriginal guides.
The local people knew of these water sources, but at times were reluctant to divulge their location
as it was on these water sources on which their lives depended. Surveyors and explorers such as
Hunt and John and Alexander Forrest, and others, agreed that without the assistance of their
Aboriginal guides, they would never have reached the remote places in the interior as they did.
Boddalin Well (Well No.10) - Constructed March 13, 1865. At the time Hunt commented that: “this will be found a very convenient stopping place being situated about halfway between Burrancooping and Keocanie”. (Hunt, 1865) The dimensions of the well upon completion were 6 ft deep, 6 in the clear at the bottom, and 9ft across the top. Hunt visited the site; in September 1865 and July 1866 it contained 3.5 ft of water. Located near Westonia, which gave its name to Boddalin. Hunt recommended a 40-acre reserve for the well and marked a tree 12 chains (1.2 km) southwest from the well near the marked road. This site has recently undergone some renovation by the Southern Cross Historical Society.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update

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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.