Roelands Quarry

Statement of Significance

• The place has historic value for its association with major public works in Western Australia.
• The place has social value as a workplace for many people from the district.
• The place has research value as an example of techniques in quarrying from 1897.

Physical Description

Set up in the hillside above Roelands townsite. There is evidence of mining scars in the rock face and landscape clearly visible from Coalfields Highway.

History

The Roelands Quarry was established on Jack Poller’s property to supply granite rock for a breakwater designed by C.Y. O’Connor at Bunbury port. The first load was tipped, ceremoniously, by Premier John Forrest on 27th April 1897.

Large boulders weighing up to seven tons, were carted down the steep gradient to ‘Collie Siding’ by a small locomotive named Nunnagine. It was housed in a shed later used as an office by the Public Works Department while the Wellington Dam irrigation scheme was developed. Another engine, Kia Ora, served there from 1949.

The quarry caretaker, John Sarre, lived on nearby railway land. After the Brunswick to Collie railway line opened in 1898, Collie Siding became known as Roelands.

During World War II, when jobs were scarce, there was some ill feeling expressed by local residents when 14 of the 86 quarry employees were Italian men. Bunbury Mayor G.E. Clarke lobbied unsuccessfully for further Government finance to expand the quarry.

The quarry operated on and off for many years. In later years private contractors have crushed the rock for use on railway lines as ballast.

Integrity/Authenticity

High/ Moderate

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update

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.