Yandanooka Hall & Townsite Precinct

Physical Description

The Community Hall is the largest building remaining in what was once the main street of the townsite. There is a residence, previously a store, adjoining. A short distance away on rising ground, are what remains of the school buildings, used as an arts workshop and residence.

History

YANDANOOKA TOWNSITE 1884 - The Midland Railway Opened for through traffic. 1919 - First soldier settlers arrived 1919 - Townsite on which a six bag crop of wheat was grown became the district centre. 1920 - First store opened - Harleys, wood frame hessian cover. 1920-22 - More soldier settlers arrived, some 50 in all. 1920 - Second store and living quarters established. Wood construction. 1920 - Football and cricket matches were played. 1923 - The Hall opened by Mr C Maley MLA, having been built by soldier settlers. The Hall was used for school, all church services, social evenings and the Christmas Tree Party. After the time the committee found the revenue was insufficient to make annual payment. Approached Road Board to take over the hall. This was done. Yandanooka Ward was rated one penny in the pound. 1925 - Community sheep dip was built across from The Homestead entrance. Water was supplied by the well. Elders built sheep and cattle yards, loading races, loading ramp over the railway line. 1925 - First tennis court built by JA Brown, PC Neville, K Bolton. 1825 - Vegetable shop, house and boarding house built - Bishop. 1929 - The hall debt was paid off, the hall was lined and supper room added. 1930 - Basford built a house between the hall and main store. When Mr Wainwright followed he had a camel team for contract carting. Public meeting was called by settlers to ask Mr Wainwright to move the camels as they upset the horse teams in the district. 1930 - Wesfarmers built north of the hall, interest in wheat and stock. Wheat stacker lived there, the record was 22 bags high. 1932 - 9 Hole golf course opened by Mr G Kempton MLC, Geraldton. 1934 Government school built. 1935 School House built. 1936 CBH Built wheat bin, weigh bridge, CBH quarters. 1946 - Yandanooka CWA formed, meetings held in the hall. Over the years neighbouring farmers have added to their original blocks making them more economical. 1966 The tennis club disbanded to join with Mingenew to form the Lawn Tennis Club. 1967 School children increased so Years 1,2,3 classes were held in the hall. 1968 New two teacher schoolroom erected. 1973 Wheat bin closed. 1976 New ceiling was put in the Hall. Windows, doors and the walls relined. Mingenew Shire provided the material, Yandanooka community carried out the work. 1978 School closed through lack of numbers, schoolroom moved to Eneabba. 1979 The hall received cyclone damage to half the roof. Mingenew Shire wanted to demolish the hall. Yandanooka community held a successful referendum and the hall was saved. But the hall was to be the financial and maintenance responsibility of Yandanooka community. A hall committee was formed. T Ward as Chairperson, J Boddington, G Campbell, G Duane and President of Yandanooka CWA. 1978 The kitchen at the Hall was modernised to meet health regulations. 1979 The last store closed. Yandanooka CWA met with Australia Post to have the mail still delivered to Yandanooka. This was achieved. CWA bought private mail boxes. Australia Post provided lock up standing In and Out boxes. All mail bags had to be sealed and boxes locked at all times. Community was supportive. One person to be on roster for one week to sort the mail and prepare outgoing mail, to pick up the newspaper from the main road. Engine shed at the hall was used until CBH quarters were obtained. This is also a point where machinery spare parts and cartons of fruit are dropped off. 1995 Some 21 households still receive this postal service. 1995 The school house is still occupied. The original school is a well equipped Arts and Crafts Centre. The Hall is still used socially and educationally. Other current use of the hall includes: Family Christmas Tree night has been held at the hall every year and is still a popular night. First Communal Batey Radio Receival Point CWA Monthly meetings and demonstrations LCDC Meetings Popular B & S Harvesters Ball for 12 years up to 1995, Local Wedding receptions and 21st Birthdays WA University Geology Students and staff stay 3-5 days in the hall while investigating this area. It is said that if a function is held in the hall, people will go to it - something that does not always happen in Mingenew. The hall is of very high social significance. Following is the "Yandanooka Story" as told by past and present residents: YANDANOOKA Yandanooka, situated 226 miles north of Perth and to the local natives meant "Water-in-the-hills", is mentioned in books and papers as early as 1854 when Yandanooka Station was originally taken up in February by Thomas Whitfield. Before retiring to Albany where he died in 1883 he advertised his property for sale as such NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT Sat, 8 November, 1879 Squatting property on Irwin River near Champion Bay, West Australia. Yandanooka Station and stock, the property of Thomas Whitfield Esq., who is leaving the colony. The station containing an area of 69,000 acres (more or less) of first class salt bush and grazing country, is well watered by springs and a shallow well. The Freehold property consists of 380 acres of splendid land securing the Home Station and the different wells and springs. The improvements comprise a 5 acre paddock, 7 roomed dwelling house, kitchen, store, washhouse, workshop, woolshed and skillions, woolpress, stockyards, mens hut etc. Plant, every requisite for working a large sheep station. The stock consists of; 5 carts and stock horses, 4217 good breeding ewes, 2,639 large framed wethers, 44 rans carefully selected, 6,900 (more or less). The whole will be sold subject to a lease to Mr Lachlan McPherson ending 17 December, 1884. The carrying capabilities of the run are estimated at 29,000 sheep and the Port of Dongarra being near no difficulty is experienced in shipping the wool. It was not sold and these leases were renewed by Emanuel Bros., and Phillips from the years of expiry 1887-1907 and extended mostly on the western side of the Midland Railway Line from the then known Yandanooka Mining District - as mining leases had been issued for copper and lead in 1898 - to the cliffs about 4 miles south of Mingenew. Yandanooka Station was offered by Emanuel and Phillips to the Government in 1910, but not accepted. Mr H. Lee Steere being the manager at the time. John Forrest, later Lord Forrest, selected his 5,000 acres of land which was a reward from the Government for services rendered, in the Yandanooka area on 21 December, 1876. The photostat copy of the register shows the entry for this land made in Forrest's own handwriting. This was sold to Walter McKenzie Grant and Alex Edwin Anderson on 24 December, 1882. The titles were transferred to David Edgar Grant and Alexander Grant on 10 July, 1914. Under several managers cattle were brought from northern areas and fattened here. The land supporting 4,000 head at times. After the wheat production was expanded in 1911, 42 lots were thrown open for selection in 1914, but only one application was made. This was in the names of Annie Beaton and Helen Brain comprising an area of 119 acres and 3 roods. The Beaton sisters had arrived here in 1895 with their father and brothers from the north-west. In December, 1914, an unemployed agitation was raised in Geraldton and in surrounding districts, the Government resolved to put men on clearing the Yandanooka Estate to alleviate the distress. Under this operation about 5,000 acres was cropped. The manager, Mr Maybre, found that a steam traction engine used to pull the plough bogged itself when the ground was suitable for ploughing and skimmed the surface when the ground was firm enough to support the engine. It is presumed the project failed due to poor management. These employees were camped on the Green Brook in timber framed, hessian covered huts. This later became D. Hehir's property. After the Great War, ex-servicemen applied for blocks. Mr W. C. Robinson gaining block No. 1 and Mr Wally Browning being one of the first settlers in 1919. Many names are mentioned by early settlers; W. Thompson, Henderson, Basford, T. Bennett, D. Hehir, Foster, Jolly, Courthope, R. Forbes, Solly and Cook, to mention a few who came and left after a few years. G. Chambers in charge of the State Farm, carried building material out for Cardwell's house and perhaps their piano, it being the first in the district. Mr A. G. White, a widower with two sons, Dereck and Norman, was the Agricultural Bank Inspector who lived at the Homestead, Thomas Whitfield's old home. His sisters, Blanche and Fanny, in turn cared for the children and a Miss Cardell from "Ebano" taught them. Dereck died when about 9 years old. Mr White authorised loans for fencing and clearing and payment thereof. Other returned servicemen took up blocks in 1920-22. Mr E. F. Wick arrived by train after driving by horse and sulky from Toodyay to Perth and remembers going by train to Dongarra with saddle and bridle to ride back the horse belonging to Hurley, the first storekeeper, which had returned to Wye Farm. A well earned 25/-.!! Before long the settlers realised their holdings were too small and over capitalised. After many years of meetings, the Minister for Lands, Mr Troy, visited each farm and heard their case. The result being farms were enlarged and all interest was credited as Principal and £131,000 written off. Over the years neighbouring farmers have added their original blocks and now have quite sizeable acreages. Again, after the World War, several more farms were alloted to ex-servicemen. The Midland Railway was opened for through traffic in 1894. The Post Office at Yandanooka was first opened in February, 1900. This is presumed to be at the Homestead as Mr A. G. White distributed mail at the siding in the early 1920s. With more settlers in the area a second store was opened in 1920 next to Hurly's hessian and iron building. Mr E. A. Field bought the building from a Mr Delmage in Dongarra where it had been used as a billiard room. Mr Charlie Smith was installed as manager. This is the shop still giving service today after several owners, these being: J. W. Campbell, H. T. & V. M. Downes, K. & M. Stokes, K. & H. Pryer and J. & L. Lydiard. The third store and boarding house was built and opened by a Mr Bishop after a substantial win in the 1925 Melbourne Cup on "Windbag". A Kurrajong tree planted at the same time is the only remaining reminder. The townsite, on which in 1919 a six bag wheat crop was grown, became the districts centre. Two homes, a hall and school were built over the years. Mr Wainwright's house was situated where the Country Women's Association have a children's playground today. He had a camel team of four for contract carting. A public meeting was called by the settlers to ask Wainwright to remove his camels as they upset the horse teams in the district. He then used a track. Another early wheat carter was a Mr Keazer who carried 130 bags on a three ton truck. Wheat was stacked at the siding 22 bags high and reports of feats of strength still remain. One stacker could carry a bag of wheat under each.arm up the sloping spring board ramp. The R. S. L. (Returned Soldiers League) was formed in 1918 and members formed a committee to build a hall. £250 was raised and £250 borrowed from the government to be repaid over 20 years with interest. The hall was opened in 1923 by C. C. Maley M. P. After a time the committee found that revenue was insufficient to make the annual payment so asked the Road Board to take over the building and replay the debt and the Yandanooka Ward was rated one penny in the £. The loan was soon cleared and the hall lined and a supper room built in September, 1929. Many fund raising functions, celebrations, lantern slide evenings, meetings and all church services have been held in the building. The annual Christmas Tree party for the district children had the same Father Christmas (Mr H. Chivers) for over 30 years. It was the first school room with Miss Amy Bishop commencing lessons in 1929 followed by Mr F. Wilkerson and H. B. Brokenshire. Miss McDermott rode her pony from Mingenew to teach sewing to the girls in 1931. The Parents and Citizen's Association was formed on 5 November, 1932 with Mr H. Chivers Snr., as President, J. A. Brown and R. Quartermaine as Vice Presidents, the Headmaster Mr H. B. Brokenshire as Acting Secretary, Treasurer. The Government School was opened on the present site in May, 1934 with Mr A. Abercrombie as Headmaster. Until the school quarters were built on 10 July, 1935, all teachers were single and boarded at the Homestead. Mr and Mrs J. H. Bradshaw were the first to occupy the new house. Followed by the Yandanooka School teachers; N. R. Grosvenor, E. Ross, A. Wilson, C. Ralph, H. Ramsay, R. Farron, K. Vermey, P. Prentice & Mrs Judy Harrison, C. Hunter who had C. McCullock and G. Sampson relieving him while on long service leave, B. Purser and A. Maher. I understand that Mr a. Downes gave a corner of his property for the overland school which was brought to his site eight miles north east of Yandanooka from near Mr D. Hehir's property on the Greenbrook. Teachers boarded with neighbouring farming families and Mrs W. Lister drove in a sulky several miles to teach sewing. The Overland teachers are as follows; jack Hardwick was the first teacher at the Overland School. His successors were J. Hopkins, W. Smart, J. Cooke, P. Carmody, W. Gable, N. Grosvenor, J. White, Miss Tough and Miss Blue. This school closed in 1942 and children from around the district were brought into the Yandanooka School by bus, driven by Bert Smith. Until this time, children travelled to school in sulkies, on ponies, on bicycles or on foot. One flighty pony had to be held whilst the two children climbed into the sulky and then away they would go at top speed for about a mile before the animal quietened to a steady pace. Two sulkies from the same direction had many races home, with a creek to cross six times and a steep hill for the home run. Basketball and cricket matches were held between the schools and the Annual Sports contested for the Roads Board Shield with; Mingenew Government School (Red), Mingenew St. Joseph's Convent (Green), Overland (Blue) and Yandanooka (Yellow). These sports now include Dongara, Walkaway, Yalgoo Schools for the Irwin Districts Association Shield. The Overland School was dismantled and erected as a shed in the Yandanooka School grounds in March, 1947 and replaced by the P. W. D. (Public Works Department) in 1965 with a new structure. A gum tree and the building stumps are all that remain to remind one of the school site. Overland and Greenbrook are listed in the Post Code booklet with the same number as Yandanooka, 6521. Telephone exchanges were operated by Mrs W. Saunders and Mrs D. Hehir respectively. The number of children attending school has increased for a few years. Grades 1, 2 and 3 were housed in the hall in 1967 until a new class room was opened in the grounds in 1968 and it was a two teacher school with Mr P. Prentice as Headmaster and Mrs Judy Harrison, as assistant. However, the numbers have declined over recent years. About Vi mile east of the Yandanooka Siding, Elder Smith and Co erected sheep sale yards which were the scene of many sales. Lunch and afternoon tea was supplied by the Yandanooka C. W. A. This branch was inaugurated on 3 May, 1946, with Mrs T. W. Willis, as President. Neighbouring farmers contributed to build a country sheep dip opposite the "Old Homestead" and water was supplied by the well on that property. It is reputed that the builder went mad and by the action of some of the sheep dipped there, his spirit haunted the place. Funds on hand have since been donated to the Yandanooka School as the dip committee directed. Sport in the district dates from the formation of the Football team in 1921. The oval was on ground behind the present store and hall and later moved to the alloted recreation ground, where this year, a wheat crop has been sown for the Mingenew Football Club funds. Tommy Bennit was the first captain and trophy winners for that first season were: Fairest and Best T. W. Willis, presented by E. F. Wick. Most Improved R. Cardwell. Most Unselfish H. Browning, presented by R. D. W. Mathews. Teams participating were: Carnamah, Three Springs, Arrino and Yandanooka. Sometimes play was on a Thursday and on these occasions players travelled by train to the opposing town, attended a dance after the match and returned by the early morning mail train. The first cricket pitch was put down by a "busy bee" on G. Mathew's property 1 mile east of the siding. A line of stones and cement pieces mark the spot. A pitch was later constructed on the recreation ground. I understand that the Cricket Club, although disbanded, still has a tidy Bank Balance. Most farm houses had their own tennis court and tennis afternoons were held at different places from time to time. Mr H. Chivers constructed an anthill court which entailed carting the ant-hill material from many miles away. Eventually a community court was constructed opposite the Yandanooka dam by: J.A. Brown, P.C. Neville and Keane Bolton. This was later abandoned and three courts laid on their present site on the recreation ground. The club was disbanded in 1966 to join with Mingenew to form the Lawn Tennis Club. Yandanooka once had a 9 hole Golf Course which was opened in the early 1930s by Mr G. Kempton M.L.C. from Geraldton, by driving a ball from the first tee, at his second attempt. Addressing a large gathering of local residents and members of the Mingenew Golf Club, he stressed the value of sport cementing friendship between neighbouring towns. The Chairman of the Mingenew Road Board Mr G.D. Ferrier, the captain of the Mingenew Golf Club, Mr F.P. Frost and the captain of the Yandanooka Golf Club, Mr K. Bolton also spoke. Subsequently a number of friendly matches were played. About 1924 Mr P.C. Neville brought his Baty Phone wireless into the hall for all to listen to and it was hoped dances could be held with dance-band music heard from Perth. Mr Dan Quin erected the mast but reception was so poor so the entertainment lapsed. Happiness and sadness, excitement and the ordinary happenings of day to day living all go to making life in the district. Some can be told and enjoyed again and again, but others are better left in the past.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: The hall and remaining school buildings have original fabric intact and a high integrity. Modifications: Very few

Condition

Good (hall), good (school buildings)

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

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