Boyerine Creek

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

It is important for its association with the early exploration of the area and later for the association with the establishment of the pastoral and agricultural industry in the district.

Physical Description

Boyerine Creek rises from the south of the Woodanilling townsite from the region of Martling Hill between Marracoonda and Moojebing and flows into the southern end of Norring Lake. The present line of the Great Southern Highway and Railway follow its northerly course until it turns west at Boyerine and lies to the north of Watson Road. It is joined just south of the Woodanilling townsite by the NW flowing Moojebing Creek. It is a winter flowing watercourse with some significant pools including the Round, Ngeatalling, Bintamilling, Boyerine, Noomberring and Dolapin Pools. A feature of the watercourse is the dense stand of native timber featuring Casuarina obesa. There is a small reserve with access to it on the south side of the bridge.

History

Fresh water pools in the creek also were important factors in the siting of infrastructure for the building of the Great Southern Railway. The name 'Boyerine' is derived from the Aboriginal culture with Boy pertaining to place of rocks or stone. To the south west of Boyerine Pool are numerous granite hills.

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Puridine Hill

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Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is a prominent natural feature of the landscape and is associated with the first European exploration of the area.

Physical Description

The hills resemble mounds of hay - hence the name (the) Two Haycocks. The larger hill is on the northern (Ashwell Road) side. On the eastern side, protected from the westerly winds, is the remnants of a stone cottage. This is nestled amongst a sheoak and jam grove.

History

Described by Roe when naming the hills - "a small grassy hillock and another near its northern side - the Two Haycocks". Named by Surveyor General John Septimus Roe. A 'remittance man5 lived here - ie a person sent by his parents to the colonies due to some disgrace and was regularly sent money or remittance so that he would stay there and avoid embarrassing the family in England. As he did not appear to spend very readily there was considerable speculation that he hid the money. On his death locals scoured the area but no fortune was ever found. The hills were later called Puridine and Little Puridine. Land in this vicinity was later owned by GE Watkins and the 'Puridine' block was leased along with Watkin's Kojonolokan and Boyerine blocks. On inspection of the land in November 1936, Watkins found the 100 acres of oats and 40 acres of wheat planted to be in poor condition and expected to yield only about A\ bushels - 'sub clover results at Puridine poor owing to lack of rain - rainfall this year exceptionally low. He also noted the industry of his tenant "Dan has burnt down big timber already dead at west end of Boyerine - 80 acres or so - another week will finish this. He has also ringbarked heavy timber on West side of Puridine Hill, about 20 acres or more and will be chopping down remainder of this area - taking out jam posts - and will burn up.

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Spring Plains

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is a prominent natural feature of the landscape and is associated with the first European exploration of the area.

Physical Description

The gently undulating plain extends west from Mt Rice either side of Ashwell Road and is bounded on the SE by Mine Hill and north west by Boyerine Creek.

History

Spring Plains was so named by John Septimus Roe when on the Great Southern Expedition with Governor Stirling in 1835. The name would indicate a high degree of natural grasses growing in the area at the time of Roe's discovery in November 1835.

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Bintamilling Pool

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The pool is important for its association with the development of the pastoral industry and also for its association with pioneering families. It is also important for its association with the building of the Great Southern Railway and the consequent siting of a railway siding in the vicinity.

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.

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). When Tom Haddleton sought 40 acres of freehold at Bintamilling Pool in 1880, he had to receive permission before he could get both sides of the pool included. HS Ranford, the Government surveyor, writing on behalf of Haddleton, explained that the pool was not a permanent supply and that Haddleton wanted it for the special purpose of constructing a washpool for use in winter and would require both sides of the gully (Boyerine Creek) for that purpose. Sheep would be brought back from the Blackwood River to be washed prior to shearing.

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Boyerine Pool

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The pool is important for its association with the development of the pastoral industry in the region and with pioneering families. It is also important for its association with the building of the Great Southern Railway and the consequent siting of a railway siding in the vicinity.

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.

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 (Jun) 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, Ngeatalling and Dolapin Pools. During the building of the Great Southern Railway from Beverley to Albany, a camp for navvies was established near the Boyerine Pool. Boyerine was near to the centre of the new line with work commencing at the extremities (Albany & Beverley). A ballast pit was situated near here and the Piesse Brothers operated a store at the camp site during 1888. On the completion of the line the building was removed wholus bolus by Eli Quartermaine to Katanning in 1889. When the siding was opened, a small horse paddock was fenced near the Boyerine Creek to the west of the siding by the Railways for travellers who wished to catch the train to Wagin or Katanning for the day. Local farmer GW Watson was one patron who availed himself of this 'service' up until about 1930. After this time it was not used and Jack Lane (Jnr) who lived about 1 km to the South used it for a vegetable garden. He would cart water in buckets from the pool to water his garden.

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Boyerine Railway Bridge

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The bridge is significant for its association with the development of transport and communication.

Physical Description

The bridge crosses the Boyerine Creek some 6 kms north of Woodanilling and about 3kms south of the Boyerine Siding. The Boyerine Creek is a winter flowing tributary of the Beaufort River. In summer, a number of pools retained a supply of water. The surveying of the railway from Beverley to Albany required a crossing of the creek at some point. The current rail bridge is the second as the previous bridge was insufficient to cope with floodwaters.

History

The wet winter of 1917 caused a tragedy when the Perth bound goods train crashed into the flooded salt creek near Boyerine. The mixed train which left Katanning at 5am consisted of 21 trucks, coach and brake van and arrived at the bridge four miles north of Woodamlling, at 6.30am. The bridge which had carried two passenger trains and a special troop train within a few hours previously, collapsed as the engine crossed it, about a 40 foot span giving way. The tender jammed the back of the engine into the broken embankment and eight trucks became piled up on the engine and tender. When the guard Turner had managed to scramble over the piled up wreckage to the engine he found the driver, Lou Starr, on the ground in a fearful state suffering from scalds while the fireman Chris Peacock was pinned in the cabin of the engine enveloped in steam. With the aid of Trooper Charlie Shaw who was travelling on the train, the guard managed to extricate Peacock after nearly an hours chopping. The unfortunate man was conscious all the time. As soon as the pressure was relieved and he was lifted out, he expired. JA Todd who was also on the train walked back to Woodanilling to report and the telephone was set into action, to both Katanning and Wagin. John Colhourn could hear the escaping steam from his house and drove down with his horse and sulky. There was danger in even this as the floods threatened to flood his sulky and horse away as he crossed the bridge over the creek. Bob Harris, who was living in a hut along the line not far from the accident, was unaware of the drama until Colhoun sought him out to help. The ease the pain of Starr, they tore up sheets and soaked them in olive oil to dress the burns. After about 5 hours delay, Dr Moule arrived by the relief train from Wagin and found Starr still alive, but unconscious to the fearful state of his injuries. He was taken back to Wagin where after being in a critical condition for some time, eventually recovered. Chris Peacock's parents resided at Cranbrook and his brother Ralph had been killed in action only a few weeks before. Peacock was buried in the Katanning cemetery. The rail wagons had been laden with apples and flour for the troops overseas and when they capsized their load was spilled everywhere. Another smash and derailment occurred here again in 1923 when once more the bridge was washed away. However, fortunately on this occasion no fatalities occurred. A ballast train had left for Boyerine to make repairs. The train came to grief and ran into the creek. A breakdown train was sent the following day to lift the ballast train out and rebuild the bridge

Integrity/Authenticity

Original Materials: None Modifications: Some

Condition

Good

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Boyerine Bridge

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is significant for its association with the development of transport and communication.

Physical Description

The bridge is part of the Great Southern Highway and it crosses the Boyerine Creek (one of the major tributaries of the Beaufort River) just S W of the Boyerine Siding. The original bridge site appears to be some 10 metres upstream with approach foundations being still visible. It was narrow (one vehicle width) with wooden railings.

History

Before the advent of the motor vehicle, horse trucks crossed the Boyerine Creek in a number of places. The construction of the railway in the late 1880's provided an avenue alongside it for the future development of tracks (& later roads). The positioning of a railway siding at Boyerine meant that a crossing had to be found across the Boyerine Creek to allow settlers in the west access to the new facility. To avoid the low lying and wet areas south of the Boyerine Siding, plans for the new road were made to leave the immediate vicinity of the railway, cross the Boyerine Pool and link to Katanning on the west of the Great Southern Railway. Later with increased and faster traffic the sharp 'S' bend of the bridge crossing on the Great Southern Highway was reduced by constructing a new bridge slightly downstream.

Integrity/Authenticity

Original Materials: Most Modifications: Some

Condition

Good

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Boyerine Siding Site

Uses

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Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is significant for its association with the development of transport and communication.

Physical Description

The site is east of the Great Southern Highway, about 0.5km north of the Boyerine Bridge. The site is marked with a plaque erected in 1988. The siding ramp is still in place.

History

The siding was located midway between the 'stations' of Round Pool and Lime Lake - which were 11 miles apart. Like Moojebing to the south of Round Pool it was not gazetted as a stopping station when the Great Southern Railway first opened in June 1889. The siding was mainly freight orientated with superphosphate, wool and grain the main cargo. A bulk grain handling depot was located adjacent to the siding from 1959 to 1976. A small horse paddock was fenced near the creek, west of the siding by the railways for travellers who wished to catch the train to Wagin or Katanning for the day. GW Watson was one patron who availed himself of this 'service' up until about 1930. After this time it was not used and Jack Lane (snr) who lived about half a mile to the south, used it for a vegetable garden. He would cart water in buckets from the pool to water his garden. Near this paddock, across the pool, exists some ruins of a stone building, possibly used by shepherds during the nineteenth century.

Integrity/Authenticity

Original Materials: Some Modifications:

Condition

Poor

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Mount Rice

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is a prominent natural feature of the landscape and is associated with the first European settlement of the area. It is also notable as a site for the quarrying of granite to produce blue metal.

Physical Description

A large granite hill about 330 metres in height. The hill is close to the Boyerine Pool and Bridge and is bounded by the Great Southern Highway, Ashwell and Watson Roads. On the western side is undulating country known as Spring Plains.

History

The hill was named Mt Rice by John Septimus Roe in November 1835 on his Great Southern Expedition with Governor James Stirling. Three selections were close to the hill - Milo Kealley (a WW1 veteran who settled near the siding - later owned by Ron Player - now by FE &DJ Carter) from 1919-1950, WA Todd (a Katanning businessman) who never lived on his property south of Mt Rice and Laurie Watson to the north. The Watson family came to the Boyerine area in the mid/late 1890's and selected land along the Boyerine Creek. Laurie's farm had considerable forests of mallet timber and the sale of the bank help finance the farm development until Laurie and his family left in the early 1940's. The next owner was HD (Mick) Becker whose son and family currently own the property. During the late 1960's quarrying of the granite rock to produce blue metal for roads took place at this site

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Boyerine Co-operative Bulk Handling site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is significant for its association with the Great Southern Railway and with the development of transport.

Physical Description

The site is north west of the siding closer to the Great Southern Highway. Road and foundation remnants are still visible as the facility was demolished following its closure in 1976/77.

History

Bulk handling facilities for grain were first built in the shire at Woodanilling in 1940. In 1959, the Boyerine Receival Point was established with a bin capacity of 5,400 tonnes. When the new 'A' type fixed machinery installation (capacity 17,600 tonnes) and open bulk head (4,900f) replaced the old installations at Woodanilling, the Boyerine bin was closed down.

Integrity/Authenticity

site only

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Mine Hill

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is a prominent natural feature of the landscape

Physical Description

With a height of 371.6m this is the highest hill in the Shire (some 2.5 metres higher than Kenine). It is known in telecommunications terms as NT3. In contrast to the other large hills in the district which are characterised by their granite rocks, Mine Hill is largely ironstone based.

History

This hill was a notable omission from the list of natural features named by JS Roe on his Great Southern expedition. The current name relates to the frenzied gold mining activity on the northern slopes in 1908. Due to the ironstone composition of the hill, the area wasn't favoured as a settlement site in the pioneering days. A Scottish family (name Waddell) did live on the western slopes between the hill and Quartermaine Road for a time early in the Twentieth Century.

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Purgatory Soak

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is important for its development of grazing industry and for its connection with pioneering families. It also has an association with the Aboriginal people.

Physical Description

A land soak in sandy country situated towards the SE corner of Williams Location 76 (of 40 acres) about 5 kms NE of Boyerine Siding. Early maps show a track emanating (and southwards) from Boyerine Pool extending NE passed the soak. This also shows two other locations Williams 143 & 145 of 40 acres around the land soak on the north, west and south. The latter two locations were later incorporated into Kojonup 4527 to bring that up to a homestead block size of 160 acres. Little evidence remains of the soak which probably is at the junction of a creek which flows from the east and a washaway running north and south. The accompanying photograph depicts this area with a row of stones immediately above the washaway indicating the former presence of a stone building. Towards the horizon (looking north towards Lime Lake) shows an incursion of sand into the heavier loam typical of the land around the soak. Salt seepage areas are prevalent to the west of the soak site necessitating a deep drain.

History

In Sept 1878 Henry Boddington applied to select a block around Purgatory Soak. At this time he was leasing land to the north and due to an incorrect survey a dispute occurred between him and neighbouring leaseholders E Quartermaine (jr) and Thomas Haddleton. After his marriage to Ellen Noonan at Arthur River in 1879 Boddingtons made their home at Purgatory Soak. The following year they moved to South Wedgecarrup and in 1902 sold this and took up a property to be known as 'Quailerup' where he built a substantial homestead where he lived until his death in 1928. Before settling at Purgatory Soak, Boddington had leased land on the Hotham River in 1875 having found a reliable watering pool. This place later became known as the town of Boddington. Later owners of the land surrounding the land soak included F Stein, a farmer of German origin who sold the property after the first World War to the War Service Board and it was allocated to Jack Cornelius originally from the Cartmeticup/Glencoe area. He married Edith White, a grand daughter of Michael Cronin of Glencoe and raised four sons on the property before the depression and the rabbit plagues of the 1930's forced them off in 1935 carrying just a few belongings. The property which included some light sandplain land adjoining purchased by Cornelius lay abandoned until bought by the present owners Norm and Gloria Eckersley and their family in the 1940's.

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Railway Ganger's House Site

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Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is significant for its association with the Great Southern Railway and with the development of transport and communications.

Physical Description

The site is located east of the Boyerine siding within the Boyerine townsite. The house was the only one ever constructed in the gazetted townsite. The site probably extended from rail crossing (Burt Road) to the siding access along Tieline Road. When the Great Southern Water supply pipeline was constructed in the late 1960's the site was levelled. The only remnants left are some jam fence posts on the road verge (Tie Line) which have four holes drilled through which 8gg wire was tied onto.

History

The siting of the Boyerine Siding after the completion of the Great Southern Railway in 1889 required a ganger to be located in the vicinity for track maintenance. The only occupants of the Boyerine town site appeared to be the railway fettlers based there on the east side of the siding. Bruce Spry, who later became a policeman in Katanning, and his family lived there up until about 1920 and the Dadds family lived there some time later. Spry had a poultry farm and exhibited his best Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks and Wyandote stock at the Wagin, Katanning and Narrogin shows during the war years.

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Boyerine School Site

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

The site, on a small reserve, north of and adjoining Watson Road. Little remains on the site. A plaque near the road verge marks the site.

History

When the Westwood school closed in March 1928, settlers near Boyerine saw the opportunity to press the Education Department to relocate that building. Prior to the Westwood building being shifted to near Boyerine, schooling in that area for a time took place in a two roomed cottage belonging to Doug Wilson. When Wilson sold the block, on which the cottage stood, to Martin, the building was no longer available. Local settlers, Bert Watson, Bill Home, Milo Kealley and Paul Ramm shifted the Westwood school to a position about one mile west of Boyerine. Charlie Kealley (Milo's son) later recalled that "the erection took some time as no one seemed to be in a hurry to finish the job, content to take their time." The furniture had already been in use in Doug Wilson's cottage after being shifted from Westwood and now was brought back to the old building. However, once again the building was to have an uncertain future. After opening for the 1929 school year with teacher Marjorie Shackley, it closed for short periods until its final closure in 1940 after the numbers again fell. Miss Marion Putland was the final teacher. The school site within the surveyed Boyerine townsite was never used for this purpose, apparently being used as a camping area, when the settlers led by M Kealley attempted to have the Westwood building shifted to Boyerine. The school stood disused on the site for many years until the 1970's when it was acquired by the Wagin Historical Society and relocated to the Historical Village. This being the fifth site - Dowering Sites 1 & 2 before Westwood and Boyerine

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Goldney Hill

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Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is a prominent natural feature of the landscape and is associated with the first European exploration of the area.

Physical Description

A hill that rises to about 310 metres in height from the surrounding plain (Peel Plains). Described by the explorer JS Roe as a 'round summit'. It is located on the extreme northern edge of the Woodanilling Shire and to the east of the Great Southern Railway line. The hill rises gradually from the Lime Lake area to the west and unlike the hills to the south west is devoid of rock.

History

The hill was named Golding Hill by John Septimus Roe on his Great Southern Expedition with Governor James Stirling in 1835. Roe named it Goldney Hill. When referring to the plains near Golding Hill, Roe wrote: "Kangaroo were very numerous on these downs to which they appeared to resort from the wooded for the security afforded, by being enabled to see the approach of danger. Having proceeded 2 £ miles over this waste, on which an occasional banksia and cabbage tree afforded a welcome relief to the eye, some wooded hills beyond its western margin, were worthy of notice ". One known resident of Golding Hill was Tom Hart. In his later years he resided in the men's cottage at 'Elliot Springs' (Suggs farm to the south east of the hill). At this stage he was very elderly and was cared for by Ada and Lena Sugg in return for odd jobs being done around the farm. In later years two properties (Colin Ball and Ken Bells) were in the vicinity of Goldney Hill. These are now owned by Greg Ball and Geoff Ward respectively (being the latter's current residence).

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Bunny's Peak

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is a prominent natural feature of the landscape and is associated with the first European exploration of the area.

Physical Description

A large area of high ground with the peak being over 340 metres. It rises from sandplain country with the plains to the north east being known as Peel Plains. When named by JS Roe in November 1835 he described it as "a wooded peak, the hillsides seemed yellow with good grass and large granite masses protruded from their surface, as in good grazing districts".

History

The hill was named Bunny's Peak by JS Roe on his Great Southern Expedition with Governor Stirling in 1835. Roe named it after the banker and a good friend from his home town of Newbury in England.

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Peel Plains

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is a prominent natural feature of the landscape and is associated with the first European exploration of the area.

Physical Description

An area of sandplain located near the northern boundary of the Shire and is bounded by the Great Southern Railway and Lime Lake East Road. It lies midway between Goldney Hill and Bunny's Peak.

History

Peel plains were named by JS Roe on his Great Southern Expedition in 1835. Roe was obviously unimpressed with the sand plain country which he referred to as a 'moor'.

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Dolapin Pool

Uses

Creation Date

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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.

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Kojonolokan Hills

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Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site is a prominent natural feature of the landscape

Physical Description

It is a range of granite hills which rise from the plains bordering the lake country in the north west of the Shire. Close by (the SE) are the Two Haycocks (or Puridine Hill and Little Puridine). At the base of a granite rock at Kojondokan Hill is a vertical catchment wall which was built in the 1920's by a leaseholder JT Newton. A mixture of lime and cement was used being bound with a large quantity of hoop iron and fencing wire. Later leaseholder Dan Lewis (in the 1930's) extended the wall height by about 5 feet

History

Charles Edwin Watkins and his wife Elizabeth selected 1400 acres around the Kojonolokan Hills just prior to the turn of the century. They built a stone and mud daub homestead soon after it was taken up, but they spent only a short period on the farm in its first decade, (possibly two years in all). Watkins was a well educated and much travelled man. Born at Akaroa, New Zealand in 1858, he was the son of a chemist and descendant of an original member of the Canterbury settlement. Watkins had a distinguished academic record, qualifying in engineering and surveying, as well as securing a Diploma in Geology at the Dunedin University. During his period of practice in surveying and engineering at Reefton, he also obtained his certificate as mining manager, being the first in NZ to gain such a qualification. In 1892 he came to WA and after passing his examination as a surveyor in this State, he was appointed to the position of manager of Hope's Hill Mine and Battery in the Southern Cross district. Three years later, he joined the Government service and worked in the Mt. Margaret and Coolgardie districts. Subsequently he spent two years in Albany with the Harbour and Rivers Department. The exposed south-eastern slope of the Kojonolokan Hills was chosen for the homestead site and flowers planted by Mrs Watkins have continued to produce bulbs and flower each spring from that time to the present day. Watkins was keen to develop his property and in April 1902 he advertised piece work to let - 300 yard dam at 1/6, 100 yard underground tank at 2/6, Burning and fencing. In 1904 he accepted the position as a contract surveyor with the Lands Department and appears that he spend most of the decade living at Albany and Esperance. Despite Watkins non residency, he continued to build up his land holdings. His land was first leased in 1911 to the Ramm brothers, in 1918 to John Newton of Albany, then Harry Boddington from 1927-1936, Dan Lewis (until the early 50's), Frank Gill, Ray White 1954-74 and others. Control of the farm later passed to his son CT Watkins and finally it was sold to the current owners

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