|
Statistics
|
Km from Perth |
214 |
|
Population |
249 |
|
Rainfall |
mm |
|
Max Temp |
C |
|
Min Temp |
C |
|
Autogas |
|
|
Telecentre |
Yes |
Caravan Parks
Wickepin
08 9888 1089
Services
|
Police |
08
9888 1100 |
|
Hospital |
08 9888 1104 |
|
Tourist Bureau |
08
9888 1500 |
Attractions
Toolibin Lakes, Albert
Facey's
house, Lake Yealering, Yarling Brook.
Buildings of note
Boarding House 1910, Railway station.
Calendar of Events
August: merino fields days.
Tractor grave yard
Road Board office
Hotel
Albert Facey's house |
Description
The area was
first settled in the 1890s although there is some information about an
ex-convict, William Justin Smith, taking up land in 1868.
The town started to develop in 1906 and the arrival of the railway in 1909
prompted the construction of a police station and the establishment of a
road board. Originally the name Yarling was suggested but when time came to
officially gazette the townsite Wickepin was chosen by Surveyor General H.F.
Johnston.
Albert Facey (author of A Fortunate Life – a book everyone should read)
lived in the Wickepin area after leaving the goldfields. His house still
stands and it is possible to view it. Facey was in the Australian Army and
served at Gallipoli. He returned to W.A. after the war and settled in the
Wickepin area where he grew wheat. The Great Depression forced him off the
land and he moved to Perth. His book gives an
excellent account of life in the country and is one of the best historical
novels I have ever read.
The source of the Avon, Murray and Blackwood rivers can be found in this
shire.
Tractor’s Graveyard.
On the main drag in Wickepin is a fenced enclosure of the largest collection
of vintage tractors that I have ever seen. It is probably the largest
collection in Australia and possibly in the Southern Hemisphere. Nothing
appears to be happening at this site and the tractors are all rusting away.
This is an awful shame, not only for the town as the tractors could be a big
tourist draw card, but for the state and the country as we are gradually
losing part of our heritage. Something should be done about saving what is
left of these machines and turning this truly awesome collection into a
tourist draw card.
|
