Chippers Leap

Statement of Significance

Chipper's Leap is a highly significant site socially and historically as a site of early European/Aboriginal interaction, the story of which is one of few that has entered into the established folklore/mythology of the State.

Physical Description

The site, on the northern side of Great Eastern Highway and approximately halfway up Greenmount Hill, comprises a large granite outcrop which rises approximately 7 or 8 metres high above the edge of the road. The rock is quite imposing, although its presence is today diminished by the amount of fast, heavy traffic past the site and the extent of cutting into the hill thereabouts for the extensive road works to make the National Highway closer to an acceptable standard of safety and design. The site should be approached on foot to appreciate both the events that took place and the magnificent views across the coastal plain.

History

Chippers Leap Greenmount takes its name from an incident which occurred in February 1832, when carter John Chipper and twelve year old Reuben Beacham were attacked by aborigines on the Old York Road, parallel to and north of what is now Great Eastern Highway.
As a result, Beacham died of wounds and Chipper escaped to Guildford. On 5th February 1832, two days after the event, Chipper is said to have remarked; "I began to run as hard as possible down a steep hill from the cart, and the boy jumped out of the cart and followed. On perceiving a number of natives gaining ground on me, I turned short round the shoulder of the same hill and ran off at my utmost speed".
The incident was one of a number which occurred along the York Road and followed bitter clashes between Europeans and aboriginals in the Perth area, arising from the previous year's death of the aboriginal leader Yagan. To re-assure travellers, escorts and police stations such as the one at Mahogany Creek, (Site 163), were later introduced.
In the map of his 1846 survey, Philip Chauncy shows Chippers Leap as being located south of the York Road, west of Bilgoman Well, and approximately 10 chains east of the 44 mile point from York. In the 1930's, when the York road was widened, the Western Australian Historical Society successfully lobbied to protect the granite outcrop believed to be the scene of Chipper's escape. Today, Great Eastern Highway runs to the south of a granite outcrop on which a commemorative plaque is mounted.
The significance of the site was acknowledged during the 1988 Australian Bicentennial commemorations when the site was included in the State's Heritage Trail Programme.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High
Modifications: Road works around the base of the rock outcrop for national highway.

Condition

Good

Uses

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.