Local Government
Williams
Region
Wheatbelt
Williams-Darkan Rd 12 k SW of Williams
Williams
Wheatbelt
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 30 Jun 2000 | Category 5 | |
An important landmark for early European explorers and travellers in the region, being possibly the highest point within the shire - the only one to be named a mountain.
A large hill rising from the Williams River, approximately 12 kms sw from Williams. It is on the west of the Darkan/Williams Road. Much of the hill-slope has been cleared for agriculture and also contains many granite rock formations.
It commemorates Alfred Hillman who could be termed the 'father of the Albany Road'. The Hillman River was also named after him. Both places were named by Governor Stirling in April 1836. Hillman came to the colony in 1831, at the age of twenty four, to take up his appointment as Colonial Draftsman. He also received a large land grant in the Plantagenet District. After 18 months in Perth, he was sent to Albany as assistant surveyor. Dissatisfied with his work and the social conditions in Albany, he applied for a transfer back to Perth. However, he was initially sent to Augusta to re-survey the original land grants before returning to Perth as the draftsman. In early 1835, he led a party of settlers on an expedition to the Hotham River, and several months later he took another party to the Williams River. He followed this with work on road marking between King George's Sound and Perth. Alfred Hillman made several trips between the tiny settlements of Perth and Albany between 1835 and 1837. On the first of these he discovered the spring at 'Kojonup'. However, on his next trip in mid summer, he and his party nearly perished of thirst between the Beaufort River and the Kojonup Spring. Hillman had to cover the last few miles alone to the spring, and after a short time recovering, returned to his companions. Hillman was very enthusiastic nonetheless for the future of the area. After he had completed marking the King George's Sound to Perth via York route in March 1837, he persuaded Governor Stirling to return with him the following month. Anxious to verify Bannister's and Hillman's glowing reports, he agreed. Stirling was indeed favourably impressed with the region, and on his return to Perth spoke at great length of the country's potential. Stirling was quoted as 'having seen a large extent of fine country well watered'. During the thirty two years Hillman worked in the Survey Department, he alternated between the positions of draftsman and assistant surveyor. In that time he resided in a number of centres, including Perth, Albany and York. His career reached its pinnacle in 1855 when, as the senior assistant surveyor, he acted as Surveyor General during Roe's absence. When he was effectively demoted in 1863 to the record keeper in the Survey Department, he resigned and became Sheriff of the Colony until his retirement in 1873. (1)
Natural Site
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bird J; "West of Arthur". p.18 |
Historic Site
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | PARK\RESERVE | Park\Reserve |
| Present Use | PARK\RESERVE | Park\Reserve |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Exploration & surveying |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Settlements |
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.