Rushy Swamp

Uses

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Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is a significant bird life sanctuary and also provides an example of the changing environment caused by European settlement.

Physical Description

A small lake or swamp with a depth of about 1.5 metres. The swamp is fed by the Boyamining Creek which drains north from that locality entering the swamp on the south end across Douglas Road. It is part of a chain of lakes which when they overflow discharges water into the ill defined east branch of the Beaufort River.

History

Early surveyor's description was a swamp with jam and yate and good agricultural land on the northern boundary. Named after the rushes which grew prolifically in the water until the wet winter of 1974. After this, salt killed off the rushes and many of the trees surrounding the edge of the lake. It was a great habitat for native birds particularly waterfoul. One count of ducks on the swamp was in excess of 3,000.

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Kenmare Homestead

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The building is important for its connection with the first European settlement of the area and for its association with pioneering families. The building is a fine example of the style, construction methods and use of building materials in this period.

Physical Description

The stone dwelling is situated about 50 metres north of Douglas Road near the Kenmare Hall. The building is substantial - built of stone, sash windows and a wide verandah almost around the entire house. A brick chimney is prominent above the galvanised iron roof. The verandah floor is of concrete with stone foundations. Remnant trees from the period of Douglas' ownership are around the homestead. As the home has not been lived in for some time it is not fully maintained.

History

The selector of the property, Harold Douglas, was one of six sons of Joe and Bell Douglas who established their farms in the Lakes area. Harold, one of the younger sons of Joe arrived at the Lakes with his father and brother (Jim) in 1900. Harold named his selection 'Kenmare' after their Victorian farm. Harold helped his parents build a four room house of mud bricks at 'The Lakes' while developing his property which ran from Wardering Lake to Robinson Road. Harold Douglas later donated 10 acres of land near his home for the hall site which after a ballot was named Kenmare. Douglas was chairman of the Hall Committee from 1922-1932. He farmed Kenmare until 1952 when he retired to Woodanilling. The property was then purchased by Roy Lines, a descendant of Oscar Lines, a commercial grape grower like Harold Douglas. In recent times the property has been sold to Ian and Brian Gumming of Wagin.

Integrity/Authenticity

Original Materials: Some Modifications: Some

Condition

Fair

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Little Murapin (Lake)

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The lake is a significant feature of the landscape and is very important as a habitat for water foul. It also is connected with early pioneers.

Physical Description

A small circular shaped lake with a surface area of 70 acres. Depth varies to a maximum of 1.5 metres. It is part of a chain of lakes which when they overflow discharges water into the ill defined east branch of the Beaufort River. When inspected in May 2000 it contained some water where as the adjacent Murapin and Martinup lakes were dry. The tree lined banks are mixed eucalypts compared with the casuarinas surrounding Murapin.

History

The name refers to the comparative size to the adjacent larger Murapin Lake. The land west of the railway line between Lime Lake and Round Pool had not been thought worthy of selection by the WA Land Company agents when they picked the best land for the company along the railway at the time of its construction in the 1880's. Tom Cornwall, owner of the Beaufort and Queerearrup Stations, was quoted as telling the Douglas brothers when they were working for him in 1895 that no other land in the area apart from Queerearrup and the Beaufort would ever be taken up as it was too poor. However, the efforts of the pioneers and subsequent generations has proved this judgement incorrect. Pioneers of this area were the Douglas family. Joe Douglas and his five sons all selected land, built homesteads and farmed in the Lakes country - stretching east from Harry's selection ('Dowlering'), Jim ('Miripin' - Murapin Lake), George ('Grandfather Swamp' near Queerearrup Lake), Harold ('Kenmare' near hall), Joe ('The Lakes') and Archie ('Little Kojonolokan' - later 'Adadale['). In addition, their relatives - brothers Linley, Arch and Rene Thompson; and friend Sammy Roberts were other pioneers in the area. Land to the south and north east had been selected by Sam Roberts who had arrived with the Douglas boys from SA and was doing very well until the rabbits 'ate him out'. In 1924 he had about 4000 sheep, but by the 1930's he was forced to reduce his numbers to about 1000 due to the competition. Coinciding with the rabbit plague came the depression and Roberts was fairly heavily committed having taken over George and Jim Douglas' land as well as buying land from LHW Thompson. However his plight received little sympathy from the bank and he was forced to sell 'Wardering' in February 1936. By this time it comprised over 6500 acres of which 3500 were cleared (mostly brumby cleared).

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Murapin Lake

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The lake is a significant feature of the landscape. It also is connected with early pioneers.

Physical Description

It is part of a chain of lakes which when they overflow discharges water into the ill defined east branch of the Beaufort River.

History

The name is derived from the Aboriginal word 'mear' meaning spear thrower The land west of the railway line between Lime Lake and Round Pool had not been thought worthy of selection by the WA Land Company agents when they picked the best land for the company along the railway at the time of its construction in the 1880's. Tom Cornwall, owner of the Beaufort and Queerearrup Stations, was quoted as telling the Douglas brothers when they were working for him in 1895 that no other land in the area apart from Queerearrup and the Beaufort would ever be taken up as it was too poor. However, the efforts of the pioneers and subsequent generations has proved this judgement incorrect. Pioneers of this area were the Douglas family. Joe Douglas and his five sons all selected land, built homesteads and farmed in the Lakes country - stretching east from Harry's selection ('Dowlering'), Jim ('Miripin' - Murapin Lake), George ('Grandfather Swamp' near Queerearrup Lake), Harold ('Kenmare' near hall), Joe ('The Lakes') and Archie ('Little Kojonolokan' - later 'Adadalef'). In addition, their relatives - brothers Linley, Arch and Rene Thompson; and friend Sammy Roberts were other pioneers in the area. J.T. (Jim Douglas selected land between Martinup and Murapin Lakes and the north of Murapin to the SW edge of Lake Charling and between Murapin and Little Murapin. Jim was one of the younger brothers and arrived at the Lakes with his father Joe and brother Harold in 1900. Jim named his farm 'Miripin' and extended it to about 1300 acres. Like his father, he was a lover of horses and enjoyed the challenge of breaking in the brumbies which he and his brothers caught, being content to let Arch handle the marketing of them. He married a cousin, Hilda, from SA but she was not happy on the farm and in 1921 they moved to Albany. Jim obtained a job on the construction of the Eclipse Island Lighthouse. When this was finished the construction of the Albany Woollen Mills began and again Jim worked through the entire project. While Jim was always hopeful of returning to Miripin, the unpaid rates on the property built up and eventually the Road Board demanded payment. When Sam Roberts offered to pay the rates in return for the farm, Jim had no choice. Jim and his family moved to Perth in 1929. During the Second World War he worked on the Fremantle slip servicing US navy submarines. An accidental fall into the water precipitated his death a short time later. The property was later purchased by Dick Wilcox and then to his son Trevor Wilcox, the current owner.

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Wardering Lake

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The lake is a significant feature of the landscape. It also is connected with early pioneers.

Physical Description

A small circular shaped lake with a surface area of about 100 acres with depths ranging to 1.3 metres. It is part of a chain of lakes which when they overflow discharges water into the ill defined east branch of the Beaufort River. When inspected in April '99 it was completely dry and the increasing salt encroachment is evident by the masses of dead timber in the swamp.

History

The origin of the name is from the Aboriginal word 'Wardong' (raven) A nearby spring carries the same name. A townsite near the lake was shown on early maps. It was proclaimed a nature reserve in the 1950's being the first waterfowl sanctuary in the State. The land west of the railway line between Lime Lake and Round Pool had not been thought worthy of selection by the WA Land Company agents when they picked the best land for the company along the railway at the time of its construction in the 1880's. Tom Cornwall, owner of the Beaufort and Queerearrup Stations, was said to have told the Douglas brothers when they were working for him in 1895 that no other land in the area apart from Queerearrup and the Beaufort would ever be taken up as it was too poor. However, the efforts of the pioneers and subsequent generations has proved this incorrect. Pioneers of the Lakes area were the Douglas family. Joe Douglas and his five sons all selected land, built homesteads and farmed in the Lakes country - stretching east from Harry's selection ('Dowlering'), Jim ('Miripin' - Murapin Lake), George ('Grandfather Swamp' near Queerearrup Lake), Harold ('Kenmare' near hall), Joe ('The Lakes') and Archie ('Little Kojonolokan' - later 'Adadale'). In addition, their relatives - brothers Linley, Arch and Rene Thompson; and friend Sammy Roberts were other pioneers in the area. The first settler near Wardering Lake was Sam Roberts who settled on a selection to the north of the lake with his homestead close to the gate on Flagstaff Road. To the east of the lake was Billie Light, who established his renowned vineyard here and to the west and south of Wardering Lake was MHJ (Harold) Douglas. Harold, one of the younger sons of Joe Douglas arrived at the Lakes with his father and brother (Jim) in 1900. Harold named his selection 'Kenmare' after their Victorian farm. Harold helped his parents build a four room house of mud bricks at 'The Lakes' while developing his property which ran from Wardering Lake to Robinson Road. Harold's homestead was at the junction of Reschke and Douglas Roads near where the Kenmare Hall was built (across the road) in 1921. He was an active supporter being Chairman of the Hall Committee from 1922-1932. Harold farmed his property for half a century and retired to Woodanilling. The property was then purchased by Roy Lines, a descendant of Oscar Lines, a commercial grape grower like Harold Douglas. In recent times the property has been sold to Ian and Brian Curnming of Wagin.

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Billie Light Swamp

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The lake is a significant feature of the landscape. It also is connected with early pioneers.

Physical Description

A small oval shaped swamp or lake with depths ranging to 0.5 metres. It is part of a chain of lakes which when they overflow discharges water into the ill defined east branch of the Beaufort River.

History

The swamp takes its name from the pioneer settler at this site who in partnership with Andy Wight farmed here for a number of years. Wight was a bookmaker of some repute before World War 1 with Light acting his penciller. Wight actually lived SW of Kunmallup but had very little development on his own property. Light's vineyard produced some of the best sultanas and currants in the state.

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Flagstaff Lake

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The lake is a significant feature of the landscape. It also is connected with early pioneers

Physical Description

A large oval shaped lake with a surface area of 505 acres being one of a line of three lakes - Charling, Queerearrup and Flagstaff. When inspected in April '99 it held a substantial amount of water, particularly in comparison with the almost dry Flagstaff, dry Billie Light Swamp. Depth varies with a maximum of 1 metre. It is part of a chain of lakes which when they overflow discharges water into the ill defined east branch of the Beaufort River. It is unusual in that the inflow and outflow are the same channel (this is the same as Ewlymartup Lake) Designated as a public utility with portions of the north of the lake in the Wagin Shire. On the north shore is a crown reserve A27609/5220 of 1047 acres designated for the protection of flora and fauna. This was a piece of land selected

History

Pioneers of the lakes area were the Douglas family. Joe Douglas and his five sons all selected land, built homesteads and farmed in the Lakes country - stretching east from Harry's selection ('Dowlering'), Jim ('Miripin' - Murapin Lake), George ('Grandfather Swamp' near Queerearrup Lake), Harold ('Kenmare' near hall), Joe ('The Lakes') and Archie ('Little Kojonolokan' - later 'Adadale'). In addition, their relatives - Linley, Arch and Rene Thompson; and friend Sammy Roberts were other pioneers in the area. The land between this lake and the Queerearrup Lake and south to Wardering Lake was taken up by Sammy Roberts. The rest (south and east) was taken up by members of the Douglas family - Archie and the NE side and George on the south. In 1898 George Douglas, along with a friend Sam Roberts joined his brothers in the west. Later Archie and George returned to the dry Victorian Mallee full of enthusiasm with the abundance of fresh water and feed everywhere in the west. During this trip George married Eddie Roberts at Brentwood, Victoria in early 1899. Brentwood, a few miles to the south of the Douglas home at Kenmare was named after the Brentwood district in South Australia where the Sprigg and Roberts families had farmed before moving to the Mallee, which was about the time the Douglas family had also migrated from the Yorke Peninsula. George Douglas, his wife Edith and their baby Lydia came to their new home at 'Grandfather Swamp' just after the turn of the century. A son Henry was bom to them after their arrival, but ill health possibly was the reason for leasing his farm to Sammy Roberts in 1906 and moving to a 30 acre block on the outskirts of the Woodanilling townsite. There he intended to grow fruit trees. The Road Board elections of 1906, saw George top the poll for his ward. Two more sons were bom at Woodanilling, but on Christmas Day 1908 just two months after the birth of Walter, George died of typhoid and pleurisy. Archie Douglas built his first house of split sheoaks with hessian lining which later gave way to a mud bat dwelling. In 1907, he married a lass from Queensland, Mary Ann Gilchrist and from this union Fred and Ada were bom. After some years, Mary left and Archie raised the family on his own. The name of Archie's farm was changed from 'Little Kojonolokan' to 'Adadale' after his daughter Ada.

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Wardering Spring

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is important for its association with pioneering families and as a source of fresh water.

Physical Description

Located close to the Flagstaff Road 10 metres and at the northern end of Billie Light Swamp. Marked on early maps with comment 'permanent supply'. The site has been excavated for stock access but when inspected in April 99 and April 2000 it was dry, although some dampness was evident at the bottom

History

The site is part of a property taken up and developed by Billie Light. He was in partnership with Andy Wight. Before going farming Light had been the penciller for the bookmaker Wight. Light established a substantial vineyard and produced some of the best currants and sultanas in the State. The name Wardering is of Aboriginal origin and is also the name of a nearby lake.

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Queerearrup Lake

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The lake is a significant feature of the landscape. It also is connected with early pioneers.

Physical Description

A very large salt lake with a total surface area of 941 acres making it the largest lake (ahead of Charling 800 acres) in the Woodanilling Shire. Depth varies to a maximum of 2 metres. It has an elongated shape and virtually joins Charling on the west and close by on the east is Flagstaff Lake. On the west is a high bank with Melaleuca sp nearest water (timber closest water edge is dead indicating increasing salinity/rising water level), then casuarina obesia and then jam (acacia acuminata) and swamp yate. It is part of a chain of lakes which when they overflow discharges water into the ill defined east branch of the Beaufort River. When inspected in April 99 it had a low level of water. Designated use is recreation with a piece around the perimeter separately designated public recreation - Reserve 29644/9176 of 380 acres. The top (northern) quarter of the lake is in the Wagin Shire .

History

The origin of the name comes from the Aboriginal work 'Queer' meaning brush wallaby. To the north of the lake is a spring of the same name and on the north west bank of the lake is Queerearrup Rock. The Queerearrup Station homestead built by Thomas Cornwall was to the NW of the lake in the Wagin Shire and was run in conjunction with the Beaufort Station. South of the lake was taken up in 160 acre blocks by the Thompson family; while Sam Roberts had the land bordering the lake on the SE, E & NE. Linley Thompson was the eldest of three brothers who came to the lakes area north west of Woodanilling, from SA. They were related to the Douglas's so it was natural to select land near them. Lin left school at 13, and went to work in the cellars. For a time he studied assaying at the School of Mines, but with day work in the cellars, and studying at night he appeared to be suffering from consumption. So at the age of 19 he was sent to the west to recover. Here, he obtained work with George Douglas. When his brother Arch came over, they went on the land taking advantage of the free homestead blocks of 160 acres. Their brother, Rene, who was only 16 at the time, put his age up to 18 to also stake his claim. These three selections were side by side on the SW shore of Lake Queerearrup. The boys' father, William, came across for a while and also claimed a homestead block. He brought with him the iron for the roof of a two roomed shack Arch and Lin had built. William planted 15 acres of Gordon Blanco Rosen vines, the cuttings of which he presumably brought from SA. The vines grew very well, but what survived the heavy frosts were destroyed by bush fire. However, none of the brothers were to remain long on their selections. Rene was the first to go and he sold out to Sammy Roberts in 1909 and found work in a store in Woodanilling. In 1912 he married another ex South Australian, Nell Gilmour. After working in Fremantle, Rene went to manage a store in Lake Grace in 1927. Later in the period 1935-1940, he bought Dival's store in Woodanilling. While here the eldest of their four children, Beryl, married Lew Douglas and moved in to the old Douglas homestead at 'The Lakes'. Archie sold his land to Jackie Merritt and returned to SA where he took employment as a motor mechanic. Linely hung on for a time and bought a hundred sheep, but was forced off the land through the regrowth of a lip tumour which was aggravated by exposure to the sun. After he sold his block on the SW bank of Queerearrup Lake to Ted Reschke, Linley took a job on the railways and was at Kalgoorlie when he enlisted as a stretcher bearer. In France he was exposed to mustard gas and suffered from its poisonous effects. He was repatriated back to Australia, was educated as a teacher and taught at many small country schools throughout the State. Despite his health problems, Lin lived to the age of 75 passing away while living in retirement at Glen Forrest.

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Kenmare School Hall

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is closely associated with the provision of schooling in the district.

Physical Description

Stone Hall with gable iron roof. The hall (30' x 20') had a wooden leanto shelter at the rear (east end) which the children possibly used as their lunch area. It is situated on a 10 acre bush reserve donated by then nearby resident MH Douglas of 'Kenmare' farm.

History

Settlement in the Lakes area inevitably brought the need for schooling facilities. While the older offspring of the Douglas brothers had attended the Dowlering School and later, Westwood, others were still requiring schooling with Walter, Malcolm, George, Olga and Fred being among the children listed in the original application for a school at Kenmare along with Edward, Edna and Clare Reschke, Robert and Evelyn Carter, Fred, Oscar and Blanche Lines and the four Roberts children (Ethel, Earnest, Violet and Victoria). The community around this area decided to build a hall for social activities and offered their building to the Education Department for a peppercorn rental if they would provide a teacher, etc. Westwood School building at this time being overcrowded. The offer was accepted and so Kenmare became one of the first schools in the State to commence in this manner as the other schools were either owned by the Department or rented. On 10 October 1921, Miss Mary Holt opened the door to let the first school pupils into the Kenmare Hall. However, by the following year the number of pupils had dropped below the required level of eight and the Department informed the Hall Committee that they could not afford the cost of the building and the school would have to close. On enquiry as to what cost was meant, the Education Department discovered the peppercorn rental and no immediate action was taken. But by the end of 1926 numbers again fell so the school was closed for almost 10 years. With student numbers again rising, schooling was recommenced at the hall under a succession of teachers for a number of years.

Integrity/Authenticity

Original Materials: most

Condition

Fair

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Kenmare Tennis Courts site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is important for its association with the development of recreational activities in the district.

Physical Description

The court remnants are situated about 50 metres to the south of the hall. Regrowth timber covers the area of the two courts. Visible remains are the net posts and the netting fence on the southern edge.

History

The limitation of transport prior to the 1950's meant that communities provided local facilities. The Kenmare Tennis Club served those west of the town for many years. Indicative of its popularity is a photo of club members in 1939 which totalled 44 (including children). Better roads, faster cars and a dwindling rural population ultimately caused the demise of many of the isolated sporting clubs.

Integrity/Authenticity

Original Materials: Al Modifications: Few

Condition

Poor

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Kidney Swamp

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The lake is a significant feature of the landscape. It also is connected with early pioneers.

Physical Description

A kidney shaped with depths ranging to 0.75 metres. It is part of a chain of lakes which when they overflow discharges water into the ill defined east branch of the Beaufort River.

History

Kidney Swamp is so named due to its likeness to the shape of a kidney. Situated on the north end of the swamp is the original homestead of Ted Reschke. He married Ethel, the widow of Robert Carter who had two children (Evelyn and Bob). Reschke sold out in 1939 to Harold O'Brien who had come from Bruce in South Australia. A few years later the property was sold to the Beeck family who built a new home on the other side of the Robinson Road. In the late 1960's, the property was sold to the present owners the Pickford family who came from Victoria. Ted Reschke during his farming career had also bought 'Winjedyne Spring' (1930's) and Lin Thompson's property on the SW bank of Queerearrup Lake

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Kenmare Hall

Condition

Fair

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The building is important for its association with social, education and religious activities. It provides an excellent example of architecture of the period and makes a positive contribution to the landscape.

Physical Description

The stone building is set in a timbered reserve at the SE junction of Reschke and Douglas Roads. It has a corrugated iron gable roof, stone chimney on the north wall, two sash windows on the northern and southern walls and doors at the front and rear. Attached to the rear is a lean to. The floor is jarrah (wide) boards. Generally in excellent condition except windows and doors. About 50 metres to the south of the hall are the remnants of two tennis courts.

History

The building was a community project organised by Frank Carter and Oscar Lines, two settlers in the vicinity, both farming properties bordering Robinson Road. The Minister for Education, HD Colebatch, officially opened the Kenmare Hall in late September 1921. The name 'Kenmare' was given to the hall and district after a ballot involving four other suggested names. The stone hall (30' x 20') with a gable roof was built by volunteer labour under the direction of a builder - Bennett-Cunningham, on a portion of 10 acres of land donated by MH Douglas. One of the first official functions at the Kenmare hall was to celebrate the marriage of Miss Evelyn Carter and Sam Meharry in December 1923. The Kenmare hall was managed by the Kenmare Hall committee with Henry Douglas as chairman from 1922-32.

Integrity/Authenticity

Original Materials: Most Modifications: Few

Condition

Fair

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Vineyard Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is significant due to its association with the horticultural industry in the district and with pioneering families.

Physical Description

The vineyard was situated east of the homestead and extended to a NS line to approximately where the dam is situated on the Douglas Road.

History

The selector of the property, Harold (Henry) Douglas, was one of six sons of Joe and Bell Douglas who established their farms in the Lakes area. Harold Douglas later donated 10 acres of land near his home for the hall site which after a ballot was named Kenmare. Douglas was chairman of the Hall Committee from 1922 - 1932. He farmed 'Kenmare' until 1952 when he retired to Woodanilling. Ray Lines farmed the property for some years until sold to the current owners - the Cumming family from Wagin.

Integrity/Authenticity

site only

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