Woodanilling Railway Station

Statement of Significance

The site is significant for its association with the development of transport and communication.

Physical Description

The original station buildings were situated on a ramp on the east of the railway line. There were
two main buildings, side by side - the northern one being a parcel/goods shed and the larger being
the station. Both were constructed of timber (jarrah weatherboard clad) with a round roof. The
parcThe original station buildings were situated on a ramp on the east of the railway line. There were
two main buildings, side by side - the northern one being a parcel/goods shed and the larger being
the station. Both were constructed of timber (jarrah weatherboard clad) with a round roof. The
parcels shed had a broken pitch cantilever verandah protecting the area on the station ramp.
The present building is a smaller timber framed and clad structure with a skillion roof.
els shed had a broken pitch cantilever verandah protecting the area on the station ramp.
The present building is a smaller timber framed and clad structure with a skillion roof.

History

Following the building of the King George Sound Road by convicts in the 1850's which linked
the two main ports of the Colony, Perth and Albany, thriving towns were established along the
route at Williams and Kojonup. The Great Southern Railway built some 30kms to the east of the
Sound Road made provision for stations at Katanning, Wagin and Narrogin to service the
established centres of Kojonup, The Arthur and Williams respectively. The construction of the
Great Southern Railway also brought with it a siding built at Round Pool to service the settlers in
this area. To the newcomers to the Great Southern, this name was easily confused with Round
Swamp (now Tenterden). Consequendy, the railway siding at Round Pool became known as
Yarabin, the origin of which is unclear, but perhaps comes from Yairabin Well, some miles to the
east. Further confusion was created when the townsite of Woodanilling was surveyed around the
siding in early 1893. The name Yarabin was eventually dropped in favour of Woodanilling, after
a spring of that name in the Boyerine Creek.

While there was much activity during the building of the railway with a ballast pit, navvies camp
and FH Piesse's mobile store; the opening of the line on June 1, 1889 saw little further activity for
some years. Woodanilling town's first permanent settler was railway ganger, Harry Stevens, who
arrived in late 1892, to be joined by his wife Emily Jane and young daughter Lucy Jane on New
Year's Day 1893. The people of Woodamlling had a continuing struggle to acquire and then to
maintain improvement to the local railway siding. By 1901, die number of settlers using the
siding had increased to the extend that a meeting was held to urge for the appointment of a
Stationmaster. However, it was not for another three years than one, (Alex Errington), was
appointed. The freight figures for Woodanilling certainly justified this appointment. In 1904, the
siding was again the freight leader for the Great Southern. Towards the end of 1906, there were
moves to get a weighbridge installed and an assistant stationmaster appointed. The cart
weighbridge was finally installed in March 1909, and another stationmaster was also appointed.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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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.