Bruce Rock Reserve precinct

Statement of Significance

The site is the namesake of the town and shire district. It demonstrates associaitons from all phases of the district's development. The site demonstrates a way of life before agricultural settlement. It isone of the few remaining sites of such significance.

Physical Description

The site of the sandalwood camp is marked by a large circular heaps of chips under two large jam trees which provided shade from the heat. Pink everlastings used to cover the entire site. A brick well, stone well and soak are all located in close proximity to each other. The exisiting soak structure is not the original structure. The soak is hidden from obvious view, behind the well.

History

Bruce Rock has been included on lithos and maps since 1893. It was named after a sandalwood cutter called Bruce. The Shire district and administrative town were subsequently called Bruce Rock, after this rock. During the term of Walter Butler on the Shire Council, a motion was proposed that the rock be called Bruce's Rock. W Butler voted and it remained as printed on the lithos, Bruce Rock. Included in Butcher's Nunagin lease, the area including Bruce Rock Soak was later a fenced pastoral lease. The fenced area included Reserves 20138, 20493 and 16167. The fencing was a soft black wire and had carefully fenced outthe box poison areas. One strainer post remains on reserve 20493. From October 1910 the Butler family camped in a tent near the soak while they constructed a dwelling.

Tyhe soak is part of a chain of watering places used by the sandalwood cutters and aboriginal perople. over 200 aboriginal people camped at the soak in the early days. Up until the 1960's, some local aboriginal families still lived in the vicinity. The sandalwood camp, located near the soak also provided a cool place during picnics and race days that took place there. The Sunday School picnics were also held at the reserve and footraces took place at the track. The Bruce Rock School held nature studies at the reserve.

The sandalwood track which passes through the Bruce Rock Reserve, proceeds through the Nunagin Homestead, to McKay's blacksmith (Bowling Club) in Bruce Rock town, through the railway yard, the swimming pool site, through Shearings and WJ Butler's before getting to Bruce Rock.

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

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.