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Statistics
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Km from Perth |
130 |
|
Population |
|
|
Rainfall |
mm |
|
Max Temp |
C |
|
Min Temp |
C |
|
Autogas |
|
|
Telecentre |
Yes |
Caravan Parks
Quairading 08 9645 1001
Services
|
Police |
08 9645 1000 |
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Hospital |
08 9645 1100 |
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Tourist Bureau |
08
9645 1001 |
Attractions
Home of natural wood
sculpture, Cubbine, Toapin Weir, Mt. Stirling, The Grain Family, Shenton
Gallery, Heritage trail, Toapin Weir, Vintage Club, Rabbit Proof Fence No.
2, Bina Wildlife park, Pink Lake, Nature Reserve.
Buildings of note
Unknown
Calendar of events
March,
B&S Ball. July, Feature artist day. September:
Agricultural show. November: Country music festival. December, Christmas
craft fair.
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Description
Prior to
European settlement the area around Dangin Springs was used by the
Aborigines as a meeting place. It is known that hundreds of people at a time
would meet there to trade and perform ceremonies.
The name Dangin comes from the Aboriginal word for needle bush that was
prevalent in the area.
The first lease in the area was taken up by Stephen Parker in 1836 and his
son Edward Read Parker moved on to the lease in 1859. The lease was
subsequently developed by Edward’s son Jonah who developed a private
townsite called Dangin that was gazetted in 1902. Jonah was a strict
teetotaller and this may have been the impetus for the development of
Quairading in 1905.
In 1892 a eucalyptus distillery was started up and used leaves from local
salmon gums. It initially did quite well winning awards at various
interstate and international shows for its quality. Eventually costs rose
too high and competition from the eastern states forced the facility to
close. The oil was distilled three times and was widely used as an
antiseptic. When the plant closed F.H. Fauldings of
Perth purchased the manufacturing rights.
Jim Caldow opened a store and soon other buildings began to appear nearby.
By 1907 the new townsite of Quairading had been gazetted. The railway
arrived a year later and the town saw even greater development. Teetoal
Dangin then started a swift decline.
The name Quairading may have been derived from an Aboriginal word ‘quara’
meaning bush kangaroo or it may have come from the word ‘quairit’ meaning
young girl. Kwerading was first suggested but the ‘Q’ spelling was already
in local use and was adopted when the townsite was gazetted in 1907.
After the railway arrived the town developed quickly and by 1910 there were
a number of businesses in town including two banks, a hotel, blacksmith,
general store, baker and carpenter.
(C)
Don Copley
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