Wimmera Hill

Statement of Significance

The hill has special significance as the site of the first gold strike by the Phoenix party consisting of Messrs T. Riseley, M. Toomey and C. Crossland (a surveyor) in January 1888. A small open-cut on the west side of the hill marks the site. A plaque at the bottom of Wimmera Hill gives information about the first gold strike. The plaque was erected in 1988 by the Southern Cross Tourist Commission. The plaque was unveiled by Tom Riseley's grandson. The original track into Southern Cross came across the hill into what is now Achernar Street.
The monument on Wimmera Hill was erected as part of the Australian Bicentenary 1788-1988 and the Southern Cross Centenery 1888-1988. The plaque reads:
"Dedicated to the pioneers and people of the Yilgarn and commemorating 100 years of the discovery of gold in Southern Cross. Erected by Yilgarn Bicentennial Committee 8th October 1988. Funded by the Australian Bicentennial Authority, the Yilgarn Shire Council and Local Volunteers.
Designed by Andrew Szobo, Cloverdale WA"
The Wimmera Hill Reservoir supplied the town with its water for some years. Water was pumped into the reservoir from the Mundaring- Kalgoorlie pipeline and from there it was piped to the town. Today the reservoir is used to store water from the sewerage treatment system for gardens, parks and street trees.

Physical Description

Wimmera Hill overlooks the Township of Southern Cross on the western side, half a kilometer from the Post Office, and is the highest landmark for some distance. It is part of the Yilgarn Range, which forms the "Gold Belt". It may have taken its name from the first mine on top of the hill, named by its owner "Wimmera Jack" (Jack was from Wimmera in Victoria).
On the crest of the hill is a large cement monument with symbolic tools (shovel, pick, rake and scythe) representing the hard work of the pioneer gold miners and farmers. The summit of the hill can be reached by car or by a gravel walkway that winds its way up from the town. Nearby and positioned along the walkway are other artefacts such as an old section of water pipeline with valves, representing significant aspects of Yilgarn's history, namely transport, agriculture, water and mining.
The Wimmera Hill Reservoir can also be found at the top of the hill. It is a concrete tank protected by a barbed wire fence.

History

Themes: Demographic Settlement and Mobility
Sub Theme: Resource Exploitation and Depletion

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

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.