Nungarin Rock

Statement of Significance

Nungarin Rock is a site of great historical and social importance to Nungarin. The approximation of the aboriginal name for the rock (originally Noongarin) has lent itself to the name of the municipality

History

Granite outcrops area a feature of the Nungarin District, and Nungarin Rock was prominent in the early exploration of the area. Originally named Noongarin Rock on Saturday 9 April 1865 by Charles Hunt on exploration plan 25, the name was altered to Nungarin Rock by H.S.King (23.3.1889) in field book 9 pages 24,25 59 TG plan 326.
The first leaseholder, in 1874, was Herbert Lee Steere (a grandson of John Septimus Roe) followed by William Leeder in 1876. In 1900, Alma Constantine ("Con") McCorry took over the grazing lease of 300,000 acres In the Nungarin and Dandanning areas, and in 1910 obtained a conditional purchase block of 3,000 acres.
McCorry built a homestead & rock well at Noongarin Rock, followed by a hotel and other buildings between the rock and the railway line. His wife, Elizabeth, died in 1923 and is buried at the south-west corner of Nungarin Rock
During the development period of agriculture (-1914), local aborigines invited all settlers to a corroboree at Nungarin Rock. One of the highlights of the evening was a performance by the aborigines where they mimicked an enactment of the Nungarin Minstrel Show. (The Nungarin Minstrels were a group of talented local settlers who had organised several very popular fund-raising concerts. They usually performed with blackened faces in a typical black and white minstrel style). As a young child, Aunty Jim Farrell was one of those present at the corroboree.

Condition

Site Only

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

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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.