GREENOUGH

HEMA Map reference 76/F3

28° 56' 46" S 114° 45' 16" E

Statistics

Caravan Parks

Rivermouth              1800 800 580

S Bend                    08 9926 1072

Services

Attractions

McNeece Cottage, Corringle, Museum, Cemetery, Wesley Church, Gray’s Store, Greenough River, Southgates, Flat Rocks, Walkaway railway museum.

Buildings of note

Greenough Hamlet, McNeece's cottage 1857, Old Walkaway cottage, Bell cottage c1860, Greenough farmers club hall 1860s, St. James church 1873, Former Criddle's hotel 1868, Cliff Grange 1858, Clinch's mill 1860s, Former Hampton Arms hotel 1864, Mt. Pleasant farmhouse 1860s, Raphoe farmhouse 1860s, Rock house ruin 1860s, Three bottle farmhouse 1860, Delowe's cottage 1860s, Grey's store 1861, Maley's bridge 1864, Wesley church 1867.

Calendar of events

See Geraldton.

Convent

Wesley church

 Grey's Store

St. Peters 1908

From Max Jefferies site www.spiritland.net

Description

Exploration of this area dates back to 1839 when George Grey led a party north from the Swan River.

The name Greenough was given to a small river which Grey crossed which was named after George Bellas Greenough who was President of the Royal Geographical Society.
 

In 1848 Augustus Gregory led an expedition of settlers to the region and Thomas Brown (father of Maitland Brown)  was the first to take up land. He was followed by William Burges, George Shenton and Walter Padbury. (One source says Logan and Hamersley first took up land in the area in 1854.)

Early settlers to the Greenough region came north from the Swan River Colony (Perth). Initial reports described the area as having good soils and there were high expectations for grain farming.

Settlement was aided by the introduction of convict labour and many of the buildings which stand today were built by the convicts. In 1859 a stone causeway was built across the river which made transport easier.

By 1860 there were three flour mills in the district. The first school opened in 1861 and Francis Watson Pearson built the first hotel in 1863. Two years later a bridge was built across Greenough River.

A police presence was established in 1863 and Maitland Brown was appointed Resident Magistrate in 1865. The first court proceedings were held in a barn but by 1870 work on a court house and police station had begun. In 1874 a post office and telegraph office were established and the area seemed to be prospering. By 1875 there were no less than 6 schools in the area catering for 141 students. The schools in this district had some of the worst attendance records in the state. Many children had to walk several miles to get to school and if labour was in short supply on the farms then work came first and school missed out.

Lack of nutrients in the soil and diseases that affected the wheat crops were followed by a devastating floods and fires. Problems started as early as 1862 but by the late 1880s things were getting so bad that many people simply abandoned the area.

The railway arrived in the area in 1887 and hopes were raised but in 1888 the worst flood to hit the area in the history of the town caused a great deal of devastation. At least 4 people died in the floods and crops and stock losses combined with damage to buildings and fences was the last straw for many aettlers.
 

The lack of cash led to a barter system being established for a time with promissory notes being used in exchange for goods at the local stores.
 

In 1888 a drover named Thomas Summers Gorman reported finding corundum near the Greenough River. This is the second hardest substance after diamonds and he claimed that it was always found in areas where diamonds were located. He attempted to get investors interested but the scheme came to nothing and no diamonds were ever found.

Some buildings were destroyed during the years of the Great Depression when their stone was crushed and used to help make roads in the area. Despite the loss of these buildings many others survived and a number have been restored.

Greenough Hamlet , once abandoned, is a charming example of an early colonial settlement. Restoration started in the 1960s and the Hamlet was opened in 1979. A small entry fee is charged and a guided tour is included.

The hamlet includes an Anglican and a Catholic church, Gray's store, court house, gaol, convent, school, stables, well, Road Board office and a number of houses.

One of the more unusual features of the area are the 'leaning trees' which have grown almost horizontal with the ground as a result of the continuous winds blowing in from the ocean.

Wind farm

Wind farms are becoming a popular alternative way of generating power but they are not universally popular. This particular wind farm is located a few kilometres from Walkaway and with 54 turbines is the largest (so far) in Western Australia. There is a parking and viewing area near the wind farm and toilet facilities are available.