Local Government
Kulin
Region
Wheatbelt
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
Jitarning
Location Details
Other Name(s)
Geetarning Soak
Construction Date
Constructed from 1911
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 19 Mar 1997 | Category 5 |
Category 5 |
|
Statement of Significance
The site has significant associations with Michael Brown, pastoralism
and the development of Jitraning.
History
In 1905 Michael Brown from Narrogin
recognised the potential of the Coolin soak, and took up a lease, becoming the first "pastoralist" in
the Kulin district. Between 1905 and 1910 much of the land in Kulin was under pastoral lease.
Michael Brown held the largest leases in the Kulin District. He was the founding member of the
Narrogin Road Board and the Narrogin Flour Mills and had considerable assets and interests in the
Narrogin District. Having been a sandalwood agent, he had an informed knowledge of the land in the
Kulin area.
Since 1905 Michael Brown had held pastoral leases over land which included what was to become
the Jitarning townsite. Brown's base camp was established at Geetarning Soak where he built a
shack in 1911. His property named "Geetarning" is reputed to have given the town its name.
Michael Brown assisted new settlers in the Jitarning area, and after the railway came through in 1914,
he constructed a two storey building intended to be a hotel. After a controversial rejection of his
liquor licence, the place became a hostel providing accommodation for workers in the area.
Michael Brown was a one time Mayor of Narrogin, and played an influential role in the development of
the town and region of Narrogin, and the Hotham Valley before that, he was referred to as the Father
of Narrogin.
The Geetarning dwelling was originally an outpost to stay when working in the area, but later Michael
Brown lived there permanently, while his wife and family remained in Narrogin.. He lived there until
his death in 1932 at the age of 80.
Condition
Site
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Newspaper Article". | Narrogin Observer | 10 April 1980 | |
| WE Greble; "A Bold Yeomanry Social Change in a Wheatbelt District Kulin 1848-1970". | Shire of Kulin | ||
| OE Pustkuchen; "The Way through The story of Narrogin". | Artlook Books Trust | 1981 |
Place Type
Historic Site
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | FARMING\PASTORAL | Other |
| Present Use | FARMING\PASTORAL | Other |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Settlements |
Creation Date
22 May 1997Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
01 Jan 2017Disclaimer
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.