Dolapin Pool

Statement of Significance

The pool is important for its association with the development of the pastoral industry in the region and with pioneering families.

Physical Description

One of a series of permanent pools in the Boyerine Creek which flows north from the Moojebing/Marracoonda area into Norring Lake. From the north the most significant of the pools are the Dolapin, Noomberring, Boyerine, Bintamilling, Ngeatalling and Round Pools. It is located in the Boyerine Creek about 3.6 kms west of the Boyerine Bridge along Watson Road. The Pool has largely silted over and probably was between 50 and 100 metres in length in its original form. It is located about 150 metres west of the boundary of Location 1755 (this approximates the original location 149 taken up by E Quartermaine jnr) but was slightly enlarged following surveying of land lots along the Boyerine Creek. An old rainwater tank is situated on the south bank of the pool. The corner in Watson Road adjacent to the Pool is called the Dolapin Bend. An old sheep dip is located on the boundary of the Dolapin paddock as it is known.

History

The pool provided fresh water for early pastoralists, shepherds and their flocks of sheep. They were also a source of water for sandalwood cutters and carters in the early days of European settlement. The Quartermaine family had from the mid 1860's held huge pastoral leases on the Boyerine Creek. Extending northwards from their base at Yowangup, some 65,000 acres were held in this manner up to William Andrews' holding around Norring Lake. In 1868 Elijah Quartermaine (Junior) took the northern leases over in his own right and after freeholding land at his home at Boyamine secured permanency at the creek pools by buying 40 acre blocks surrounding Boyerine Pool (1873), Ngeatalling Pool (1878) and Dolapin Pool (1879). Late in the CI9th with a great demand for farming land and closer settlement, the Dolapin Pool block appeared to be re surveyed and became Kojonup Location 4755 containing 128 acres. This became part of the land selected by Robert Watson in the 1890's. Around 1900 the Watson family homestead was completed about 2.5 kms north west of the Boyerine Siding. The early development of clearing and fencing was mainly along the very attractive Boyerine Creek. The water then being fresh with many deep and permanent pools. In addition the limey clay along the creek bed proved very productive. After a brief illness Robert Watson died in 1902 and his widow and family carried on with farming at 'The Brook' as their property was known and soon they became the first farmers of sheep in the Boyerine area and sons Gilbert and Laurie developed their own properties. Following the death of Mrs Watson in 1929 her daughter Lily and husband William Home took over 'The Brook' farm.

Uses

Creation Date

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