Local Government
Donnybrook-Balingup
Region
South West
Donnybrook
Argyle Forest Block/Boyanup State Forest
Donnybrook-Balingup
South West
Constructed from 1899 to 1903
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - Does not warrant assessment | Current | 21 May 2020 |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| (no listings) | ||||
• The place represents the only gazetted goldfield in the south west of the State which to some degree prosperous during the c.1890 gold rush era
• The place has the potential to yield information about the mining techniques, and lives of the miners in the South West of Western Australia
The Donnybrook Goldfield comprises scattered mining shafts of varying extents and depths. Some of the shafts have in-situ timber stooping but the images do not show any above-surface fabric such as poppet heads, winding mechanisms or other machinery. However, a number of web reference to Old Goldfields Farm and Hunter’s Venture in Donnybrook do suggest some mining equipment may remain extant, some of which has been incorporated into farm stays, cafes or other tourism ventures. Some of these are also noted as being reconstructions. In addition, the information about the goldfields suggests that many of the miners lived on the leases so there is likely to be remnant archaeological material relating to these settlements, such as tent pads, refuse, and other remnant fabric.
The first occupants of the Donnybrook area, collectively referred to as Nyungar, are from the Kaneang (Kaniyang) Nyungar language group. Archaeological dating evidence suggests occupation of the wider South West region of Australia commenced at least 47,000 years before present. This way of life began to be disrupted with the arrival of European colonists. The first European settlers in the Donnybrook region were a group of Irish men and their servants who established a farm approximately one kilometre north of the present Donnybrook townsite in 1842. The endeavour was short-lived however, with failed attempts at breeding horses, cattle and sheep resulting in the settlement being abandoned by 1843. Other settlers moved into the area after 1850, with a focus on the Preston River and the region saw continuous occupation from this period.
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.