Mailalup Water Hole

Statement of Significance

The site is significant in the settlement of the district and for its connection with pioneering
families.

Physical Description

The well site is near the centre of Williams Location 104 of 40 acres. It is situated on a creek
(the more easterly of the two parallel gullies) which runs to the north across Hensman Road
before joining another creek which crosses the Great Southern Highway (this saline creek is
the south eastern headwaters of the Boyerine Creek).

Excavated granite rocks mark the site, also two old jam posts - there is a depression possibly
well remnants on the eastern edge. It is obvious that the water hole has not operated for many
years. No sign of seepage when inspected in April 2000.

History

The area was originally part of a huge 41,000 acre pastoral lease held by the district's first
settler - Elijah Quartermaine who after a decade of rurming sheep intermittently in the district
settled at Yowangup (near Moojebing in the Katanning Shire) in 1862. This lease extended
northwards to take in the Woodanilling Spring and included at least two other Aboriginal
water holes to the south east of Mailalup - Mollongully and Marragoonda Water holes.
'Mollongully' became the home of Fred - the second youngest son of Elijah Quartermaine.

With the rapid development following the building of the Great Southern Railway, the former
pastoral leases were carved up into smaller locations with were soon taken up by the influx of
South Australians escaping the drought in that state. The Severin brothers were amongst
these with Carl selecting land to the south east of Mailalup, Ernie alongside to the east and
Hugh at Moojebing. With the isolated small locations around the water holes now of little
benefit to the Quartermaine family these were mostly sold to the new settlers. Ernie Severin
purchased 'Mailalup' and later it was sold to Walter Lavis who emigrated from England to
Woodanilling in 1909 and was joined a year later by his wife and family. They built a small
house on 'Molloning' another 40 acre block purchased from Quartermaine. Being thickly
timbered with jam trees, Lavis intended to cut fence posts. He also bought Mailalup shortly
after this and built a mud batt house (*).

Despite his endeavours, Lavis couldn't make a living to support his 10 children and in 1918
'Mailalup' was sold to Fred Wilson of 'Red Hill Farm' which joined 'Mailalup' on the north
and east. Wilson had bought this property from his step father, Gus Haendel in 1907.
Haendel was one of the original '1891 t'other siders' and he soon established a flourishing
vineyard of 4 acres from which he made his own wine. Prominent in trotting circles, Fred
Wilson died in 1956 and the property was then farmed by son, Lawrence and later with
daughter, Muriel and her husband EE Ferrari (the farm was known as 'Mailerup').

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.