Westonia, Western Australia
Encyclopedia
Westonia is a small town located in the Eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia
, 10 kilometres (6 mi) north of the Great Eastern Highway
. It is the main town in the Shire of Westonia
.
in the area, by a sandalwood
cutter named Alfred Weston (May 17, 1876 - September 26, 1924). Initially the area was known as Weston's Reward and later as Westons. By 1915 there were two major mines in the area, and the population was in excess of 500. By 1917 the area, by then known as Westonia, had a population of more than 2,000. In 1919, low gold prices forced the closure of the mines, and many people left the area. Westonia was gazetted as a town in February 1926. In 1935 one of the mines reopened, but closed again in 1948, only to be reopened in 1985. The mine then closed once again in 1991. In mid-2009, it was announced that mining would once again commence at Westonia's Edna May Gold Mine
, with the first gold pour anticipated for May 2010, coinciding with the centenary of the discovery of gold in the district.
In October 2009, Westonia won the Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities competition for the Central Wheatbelt region. Westonia won the same title in October 2010, and was also declared the state winner in November 2010.
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, 10 kilometres (6 mi) north of the Great Eastern Highway
Great Eastern Highway
The Great Eastern Highway is a major road between the Western Australian cities of Perth and Kalgoorlie. It is a key route for vehicles accessing the eastern wheatbelt and the eastern goldfields...
. It is the main town in the Shire of Westonia
Shire of Westonia
The Shire of Westonia is a Local Government Area in the Eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, about east of Perth, the state capital. Its seat of government is the small town of Westonia....
.
History
Westonia came into existence with the discovery in 1910 of goldGold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
in the area, by a sandalwood
Santalum spicatum
Santalum spicatum, a species known as Australian sandalwood, is a tree native to semi-arid areas at the edge of Southwest Australia. It is traded as sandalwood and its valuable oil has been used as an aromatic, a medicine and a food source. S...
cutter named Alfred Weston (May 17, 1876 - September 26, 1924). Initially the area was known as Weston's Reward and later as Westons. By 1915 there were two major mines in the area, and the population was in excess of 500. By 1917 the area, by then known as Westonia, had a population of more than 2,000. In 1919, low gold prices forced the closure of the mines, and many people left the area. Westonia was gazetted as a town in February 1926. In 1935 one of the mines reopened, but closed again in 1948, only to be reopened in 1985. The mine then closed once again in 1991. In mid-2009, it was announced that mining would once again commence at Westonia's Edna May Gold Mine
Edna May Gold Mine
The Edna May Gold Mine is a gold mine located at Westonia, Western Australia.It is operated by Catalpa Resources. The mine, planned to be in full production by the end of July 2010, is scheduled to produce in excess of 100,000 ounces of gold per annum...
, with the first gold pour anticipated for May 2010, coinciding with the centenary of the discovery of gold in the district.
In October 2009, Westonia won the Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities competition for the Central Wheatbelt region. Westonia won the same title in October 2010, and was also declared the state winner in November 2010.
Things to see
- Westonia Historic Townsite
- Wolfram Street Facades
- Westonia Caravan Park
- Westonia Common
- Boodalin Soak
- Elachbutting Rock
- Yanneymooning Reserve
- Baladjie Rock
- Edna May Gold Mine