Talgomine Community Sheep Dip

Author

Shire of Nungarin

Place Number

15312

Location

Junct Young, Stock & Knungajin East Rds Talgomine

Location Details

Other Name(s)

Lee's Sheep Dip

Local Government

Nungarin

Region

Wheatbelt

Construction Date

Constructed from 1947

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 17 Nov 1999 Category 3

Statement of Significance

The community sheep dip at Talgomine is an important example of husbandry methods in the district, and the difficulties faced by early sheep farmers.

Physical Description

The four community, or government, sheep dips in the Nungarin Shire are all built to the same basic "C.P.Murray" design. A curved, timber fenced race opens into a small enclosure from where sheep enter a concrete pit approximately four feet deep, 4'6" wide and 6'6" long leading into a narrow ascending channel which rises to draining pens. The Talgomine sheep dip appears to be the most complete of the four dips, and much of the timber race and yards remains in reasonable condition.

History

The Scab Act of 1891 required stock owners to inspect their sheep regularly for indications of scab (psoroptic mange, a skin disease caused by mites) and to treat any infestations by compulsory dipping. Even as early as 1878, Thomas Adams was appointed as honorary scab inspector for the district, and combined stock inspections with his regular police patrols. Later, sheep were also dipped for lice and ked. Under the Marginal Area Reconstruction Scheme of 1938, government funds were made available for the assistance of farmers within defined areas. The Nungarin district came within the boundaries of the North Eastern Marginal area. At that time, C.P.Murray was seconded from the Department of Agriculture, as sheep adviser to Agricultural Bank clients. He recommended the construction of community dips at strategic locations throughout the district. The Nungarin Road Board applied for the release of land for the construction of a sheep dip in 1947. Five acres (13.7 ha) of land for "Lee's" sheep dip was excised from Avon Location 14221, at that time held by James Lee. The block was surveyed by I.M.Gordon on 14th July, 1947 at a cost of £7, and recorded in his field book number 17. Official gazettal was not advertised until 5th December 1952. By the time that metric conversion took place on 31st August 1979, the area of the Talgomine site was recorded as 1.8716 ha. The reserve is currently vested in the Nungarin Shire Council as a Sheep Dip.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Redeemable Authenticity: Medium

Condition

Fair

Place Type

Other Built Type

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use FARMING\PASTORAL Other
Original Use FARMING\PASTORAL Other

Historic Themes

General Specific
OCCUPATIONS Grazing, pastoralism & dairying

Creation Date

21 Jan 2000

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

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.