Cooya Pooya Station

Statement of Significance

Cooya Pooya Station is historically significant for its associations with the development of the pastoral industry in the Pilbara district. It has research potential as it demonstrates the evolution of a pastoral settlement since 1882. The place has close associations with the Lockyer and Stove families, early pastoralists in the Pilbara who were prominent in the development of the North-West pastoral industry. The place also has associations with the Aboriginal people who worked and lived on the property. The place demonstrates design features responsive to the North-West climate, rare and innovative concrete work, and fine stone work executed in local materials. (From ‘Register of Heritage Places – Assessment Documentation Cooya Pooya Station’, Permanent Entry on the State Register of Heritage Places, Heritage Council of Western Australia, 02 September 1998).

Physical Description

The buildings in the Cooya Pooya Station Homestead group date from the early 1880s. The present house was built in 1912. The main buildings are of stone with corrugated galvanised iron roofs. The stone was carted from the surrounding hills, mortared together and tuck pointed by craftsmen of the day. The homestead group consisted of a main house including a detached kitchen, shearers kitchen, shearers quarters including detached shower room, laundry and toilet, shearing shed, stables, including feed room and fowl house.
Originally the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and storeroom were contained in a separate building several metres away from the main house. This was to prevent total destruction of buildings in the event of a fire, and also to ensure some privacy for members of the household. The floors were laid with timber; ceilings were of pressed metal and the interior walls were plastered. All rooms opened onto the verandah which surrounded the long house. Verandah floors were laid with large, flat water washed slabs of stone carted from the creek near Springs Station site.
Despite interest in the location by various heritage agencies, it is a state of decline and will revert to a more dangerous set of ruins in the short term unless some attention is paid to it.

History

The lease for the property was originally taken up by the Lockyer brothers in 1882 and was known then as Table Hill Station. 1 The name was changed to Cooya Pooya when the property was sold to Mr S L Burgess. He had the present homestead built in 1912. Alterations were made, to combat termite damage, by P W Stove, one of the three Stove brothers who had purchased Cooya Pooya in 1920.
In 1978 the Water Authority of WA purchased the Station. With the building of the Harding Dam, Cooya Pooya now lies within the water catchment on the edge of Lake Poongkaliyarra and will remain a ruin and reminder of the many people who have lived within its sturdy walls.
Cooya Pooya was important as one of the early stations of the Roebourne District. Station activities are illustrated by the different structures and the whole group is beautifully situated on the Harding River. The original buildings are of particular interest for the way in which local stone was used in their construction. (See HCWA listing for more extensive description).

Archaeology

The archaeological record is exceptional, providing insights into the working of the pastoral station over time until its abandonment. There is clear evidence of adaptation to the conditions and the nature of station life, especially with the use of concrete to respond to the threats of heat, white ants and cyclones. The working parts of the station are still visible, although under various threats and in constant decline. The site includes rock art by Aboriginal people, as well as some European engravings, such as those by Lorna Stove.

Integrity/Authenticity

Approximately 50%

Condition

Abandoned, much graffiti, impacted by cyclones and fire. Some white ant damage.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

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.