Mudges Farm

Uses

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Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place demonstrates associations with a pioneer family of the district, and a way of life no longer practiced. It provided a communication linkage to the furtherest east settlement in the Shire.

Physical Description

Original structure is a 4 room mud brick cottage, surrounded by a verandah, with a pantry and bathroom at either end of the back verandah. Later another verandah was added to the back, and a room added on the northwest corner. In the early 1960s a room was added to the front and the south east corner of the verandah enclosed.

History

Holt Rock is immediately west of the rabbit proof fence in the Lakes district. The 3500 scheme had developed and floundered in 1929, east of the fence, but created interest in the Lakes district. In 1937, Mark Allan Francis established a home on his property at Holt Rock. The mud bats were made on site, near the house from clay insitu. it took several months to make the bricks. The house was considered the first "real" house in the Holt Rock district because up until that time settlers had lived in "camps" -( timber and hessian dwellings. In 1944 the phone exchange was connected to Holt Rock. The Francis men helped construct the single line to Lake Varley. The men cut the salmon gum poles and dragged them into position, while the PMG supplied the phone cable. Only one line went to Lake King from Lake Varley, and as well as the Holt Rock exchange, it included the exchanges at Lake Camm, South Varley and Lake Varley. In 1949 after the death of M Francis, his son Campbell took over until 1952 when his daughter and her husband took over the property. Ruth Levis (nee Francis) and Mr Levis ran the farm until 1970 when they sold to Brian and Jill Mudge. The exchange was transferred to provide a public phone box facility in Holt Rock at that time. A married couple worker's cottage was built in 1964, behind the house, and after a year, Tom Lashmar lived there and share-farmed the property for Levis.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: redeemable Authenticity: low degree

Condition

Good

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Lake Hurlstone Nature Reserve

Uses

Creation Date

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Coolgardie Track - Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site represents a way of life no longer practiced. It represents associations with different phases of state development.

History

A track created and used by the goldseekers in the 1890s as they traversed the country from the port at Albany to the goldfields.

Condition

Site

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Jilakin Rock Reserve

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site represents a way of life which has been reinterpreted in a different generation. It represents associations with pastoralists and settlers.

History

Jilakin was one of the few areas that Michael Brown did not hold on a pastoral lease in the Kulin area. Jimmy Fitts held the pastoral lease which included the essential water supply, in this case, Jilakin Well. It provided water for the settlers of South Kulin in the early days. The Jilakin Lake was the scene of many recreational and social picnics and race days, and the New Years Day Sports was an annual event for many years. In 1995 the Cultivating Kulin Committee raised money for Kulin community projects by organising the inaugural annual "Kulin Bush Races" in October. The event was hailed a success, raising $10,000 and putting Kulin on the tourist map. There is abundant native flora around the Rock reserve.

Condition

Site

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Jilakin telephone exchange - Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The sites represent a way of life no longer practiced.

History

The phone exchange facilitated an important communication link throughout the countryside. Usually operated by the woman on the farm, it also provided a valuable social link for the otherwise isolated women, in the mid 1950s, CW Parker retired, and the phone exchange moved from his place (Loc 6318) to Howe's place over the road. (Loc 1092)

Condition

Site

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Bush timber shed

Uses

Historic Themes

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Statement of Significance

The places represents a method of construction and is representative of a type of building during the 1920s and 1930s in Kulin.

Physical Description

Bush timber posts form the main structure of the shed which has a gable roof. Two central rows of posts run parallel to the apex of the shed roof. The roof and some sides of the shed are clad with sheets of corrugated iron.

History

Bill Burke built many of these sheds. Using bush timber and readily available timber he constructed sturdy sheds throughout the district. He was also a gun shearer and did fencing work during the 1920s and 1930s.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: intact Authenticity: High degree

Condition

Good

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Brown's Geetarning camp site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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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

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Jitarning Government Dam - Site of

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site represents an element essential to the development and sustainability of settlement in Jitarning.

History

The government constructed dams and sunk wells at regular intervals throughout the wheat-belt to encourage and sustain settlement in the region. The Jitarning dam provided a water supply for Jitarning, it was also a site for picnics and community swimming, although it was not encouraged. The dam was a Mecca for native birds and animals, many of which are now extinct. The town is now reticulated with scheme water.

Condition

Site

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Jitarning Main Street precinct

Parent Place or Precinct

07024 Jitarning Townsite

Child Places

• 01432 Jitarning Hostel (fmr)
• 06920 Yilliminning-Kondinin Co-op (fmr)
• 01431 Jitarning Hall

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Child Places

• 01432 Jitarning Hostel (fmr)
• 06920 Yilliminning-Kondinin Co-op (fmr)
• 01431 Jitarning Hall

Statement of Significance

The main street represents a way of life no longer practiced. It presents an identifiable environment of a country town.

Physical Description

The hall, hostel and former Co-op still form a main street streetscape and present an identifiable image of a country town main street.

History

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. Shortly after the settlement in Wogolin and Dudinin, the pioneers of Jitarning staked their selections. Jitarning siding building and railway fixtures were constructed in 1913 ahead of the railway line which was opened in 1914. Tennis courts were built and a "sly grog" shop operated in 1914 in Jitarning. The town of Jitarning was prosperous. The proposed hotel was built in 1919 by Michael Brown, but when he failed to get a liquor license before the Kulin Hotel, the place became a hostel for the itinerant workers, wheat lumpers and the school teacher. As a consequence of Kulin's hotel gaining a liquor license, Kulin town developed and Jitarning failed to develop any further as a commercial or residential centre. Jitarning held a re-union of Pioneers in 1975 and relived the spirit of the old days. The town of Jitarning has been reawakened by the descendants of the pioneer families in recent years. Townsite blocks are open for selection, a history of the town is being researched and the antique shop is attracting passing custom.

Condition

Precinct

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Jitarning Post Office & Telephone Exchange - Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site represents the communication facilities in Jitarning from the beginnings of the area's development.

History

The post office and phone exchange for Jitarning was operated from the farm house by Mrs Curran. The phone exchange was an important communication link and also a social interaction for the women who operated them. When Mrs Curren died in the 1930s, the post office and phone exchange transferred to Lowe's Store in Jitarning townsite.

Condition

Site

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Jitarning Racetrack - Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site represents a way of life no longer practiced.

History

Sports days were usually an annual event incorporating horse racing, foot races, athletic and novelty events, and enjoyment by all.

Condition

Site

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Jitarning School - Site

Parent Place or Precinct

07024 Jitarning Townsite

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site represents the beginnings of community development in Jitarning before the town and railway. It demonstrates a way of life no longer practiced, and associations with education. It demonstrates associations with the pioneer settlers of the Jitarning area.

History

Michael Brown, a former pastoralist, encouraged and assisted new settlers in the Jitarning area, and by 1912 there was a Progress Association. That year the Geetarning Progress Association lobbied the Education Department for a full time school to be located at Jitarning. Geetarning State School was subsequently constructed on land adjoining the Jitarning townsite, donated by Peter Spurr of "Comadyne". The Geetarning State School opened on 8 September 1913, and the address was 86 gate via Wickepin. The school then remained idle for three months while accommodation was found for the teacher and her family. All the Spurr family children attended the school and they boarded the teachers until the hostel was built. The families who applied for the school could now send their children to school; Connors(3), Prices(2), Quinns(2), Dungeys(3), Spurrs(4), Leggett(1) and the Scotts(3). Between 1917 and 1921 the school was known as Geetarning and Jitarning. On the 17 December 1920 the school close due to lack of students. Government school were required to sustain a minimum of eight students to retain teacher services. However by 7 April 1921 it re-opened as Jitarning State School. By the late 1930s the economy was on the improve. The Jitarning branch of the CWA applied to erect a shelter at the school in 1937, and the school was extended in 1938 to cater for the increasing number of students, and the hall was used as a temporary facility during construction works. With the introduction of a school bus service from Jitarning to Kulin, and with subsequent deceasing numbers, the Jitarning School was finally closed in 1950, when the student numbers fell below eight. The school building was removed from its site and re-located on the Bill Cook's farm in 1979. The school site has been recognised with a plaque, during a re-union in Jitarning on 29 September 1991. There is a possibility of re-locating the school in its original location.

Condition

Site

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Jitarning Siding - Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The railway was important to the development of the town of Jitarning, and the railway siding is representative of that event.

History

Dudinin is located in a valley and was considered a good site for a dam to provide for the steam trains which were to run on the proposed railway line south east from Narrogin through Yilliminning. The railway subsequently passed through Dudinin in preference to Wogolin, only 6 miles north along the Rabbit proof fence. By Christmas 1913, a Public Works Department site camp was established at Dudinin and the railway line proceeded northwards to Jitarning. Mrs Pike's bush boarding house moved along the track as the gangers moved camp, and Tom Hogg's boarding house did the same. On 15 March 1915 the railway line through to Kulin was taken over by the Government and on 16 March it was officially opened and the first train rolled into Kulin. Wheatstacks in 1913. Jitarning Siding hut was demolished two years ago but remnants remain of the tennis courts and cricket pitch. Mrs Randall was the station Mistress, meeting the train at all hours of the day or night, handling all the goods receival and despatch, and ordering wheat trucks when required. The first Co-operative Bulk Handling bin was established in 1934? . It was replaced with another bin in the 1960s.

Condition

Site

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Jitarning Tennis courts - 2nd Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site represents a way of life no longer practiced.

History

The second site was established over the railway line form the town of Jitarning, and also included a cricket pitch in close proximity. Refreshments and other social activities would take place at the Jitarning Hall after the tennis. The cricket pitch was adjacent to the tennis courts, and the football field opposite where the horse races were also held. Originally the horse races were held on Dinnie Curran's (Post office and phone exchange) farm. Jitarning Siding hut was demolished in 1994, but remnants remain of the tennis courts and cricket pitch.

Condition

Site

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Jitarning Townsite

Child Places

• 07025 Jitarning Main Street precinct
• 06976 Jitarning School - Site
• 06921 Randall House

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Child Places

• 07025 Jitarning Main Street precinct
• 06976 Jitarning School - Site
• 06921 Randall House

Statement of Significance

The townsite represents a way of life no longer practiced. It presents an identifiable environment of a country town.

Physical Description

Townsite, remaining buildings; hall, hostel and former Co-op still form a main street streetscape and present an identifiable image of a country town main stree

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, with Michael Brown holding the largest leases. 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. As a former 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. Shortly after the settlement in Wogolin and Dudinin, the pioneers of Jitarning staked their selections. The presence of water at Kolberin Soak and Long Jack Well drew some early settlers. Poole at Kolberin Soak in January 1909, and in October that year, Spurr at Long Jack Well. Spurr's property of "Comadyne" was supposed to be the townsite of Jitarning which was subsequently located west of Long Jack Well. In 1914 the rail link from Narrogin through Yilliminning was connected to Jitarning, and in 1917 Jitarning became a gazetted town. Economic survival was dependent on communications. The railway network was the lifeline of the wheatbelt. A severe drought in 1914-1915 and the advent of World War One severely curtailed the social and economic development of the Kulin region, and settlers conspired together against outside forces. After Kulin's rail link opened in 1916, the communication linkages altered, and Kulin developed, to the detriment of Jitarning. Jitarning's main supporters up until that time, had been South Kulin people, who now felt an allegiance to Kulin. Kulin became the administrative centre for the newly formed Road District. District functions and social events were held in the Spurr homestead until the Jitarning Hall was built in 1918. Jitarning siding building and railway fixtures were constructed in 1913 ahead of the railway line which was opened in 1914. Tennis courts were built and a "sly grog" shop operated in 1914 in Jitarning. The town of Jitarning was prosperous. The proposed hotel was built in 1919 by Michael Brown, but when he failed to get a liquor license before the Kulin Hotel, the place became a hostel for the itinerant workers, wheat lumpers and the school teacher. As a consequence of Kulin's hotel gaining a liquor license, Kulin town developed and Jitarning failed to develop any further as a commercial or residential centre. During the 1920s Jitarning maintained and increased its community support. The Randalls settled in the town in 1921, taking over the running of Percy Brunton's small shop which had been the first shop in Jitarning. Harry Randall built a new cottage and shop, operating a newsagency and lending library in Jitarning in 1923. On dance nights at the hall, Randalls sold squash and ice-cream. They also catered refreshments for wheat carting and the races. Mrs Randall ran the shop during the weekdays when Harry worked contract clearing. The Randall's sold the newsagency to the Co-op and closed their store in 1926, when the Yilliminning-Kondinin Co-op store opened in Jitarning. Jitarning retained its town , and a strong loyal and supportive community. The town consisted of the hall, hostel, school, co-op store, cottage with shop incorporated, store, blacksmith shop and a house. On the other side of the main road and the railway line, was the post office, railway siding, wheat stacks and weighbridge. Mrs Randall was the station mistress, she checked in goods, ordered trucks for the wheat, and met the trains. The Randall's hospitality was renowned throughout the district. The post office was in the farmhouse across the railway line and west of the siding. Jitarning held a re-union of Pioneers in 1975 and relived the spirit of the old days. The town still has the sense of a community, the grain storage is still in operation at the Jitarning siding, and the telephone exchange has a new phone box located outside the co-op building, which has since become a private residence. The Hostel was also a private residence for many years, and is now a residence and antique shop. The town of Jitarning has been reawakened by the descendants of the pioneer families in recent years. Townsite blocks are open for selection, a history of the town is being researched and the antique shop is attracting passing custom.

Condition

Precinct

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Kolberin Soak - Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site represents associations with the pioneer pastoralist and a pioneer settler in the region. It represents the life blood of the country.

History

Shortly after the settlement in Wogolin and Dudinin, the pioneers of Jitarning staked their selections. Previously the land had been held under a pastoral lease by Michael Brown, and the soaks were important watering and camp sites. The presence of water at Kolberin Soak and Long Jack Well drew some early settlers. Pool took up a 1000 acres at Kolberin Soak in January 1909, and in October that year, Spurr took up 2000 acres at Long Jack Well.

Condition

Site

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Long Jack Soak - Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site represents associations with the pioneer pastoralist and a pioneer settler in the region. It represents the life blood of the country.

History

Shortly after the settlement in Wogolin and Dudinin, the pioneers of Jitarning staked their selections. Previously the land had been held under a pastoral lease by Michael Brown, and the soaks were important watering and camp sites. The presence of water at Kolberin Soak and Long Jack Well drew some early settlers. Pool took up a 1000 acres at Kolberin Soak in January 1909, and in October that year, Spurr took up 2000 acres at Long Jack Well. Spurr's property of "Comadyne" was supposed to be the townsite of Jitarning which was subsequently located west of Long Jack Well. The Spurr's farm boasted large orchards, and many people came from miles away for the beautiful fresh water from the "never fail" Long Jack Soak.

Condition

Site

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Spurr's Homestead - Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site represents a pioneer family and a way of life no longer practiced.

History

Shortly after the settlement in Wogolin and Dudinin, the pioneers of Jitarning staked their selections. Previously the land had been held under a pastoral lease by Michael Brown, and the soaks were important watering and camp sites. The presence of water at Kolberin Soak and Long Jack Well drew some early settlers. Poole took up a 1000 acres at Kolberin Soak in January 1909, and in October that year, Spurr took up 2000 acres at Long Jack Well. Spurr's property of "Comadyne" was supposed to be the townsite of Jitarning which was subsequently located west of Long Jack Well. Spurrs donated a portion of their land for the Jitraning school, and also boarded the schoolteachers who taught at the school. District functions were held in the Spurr homestead where the large dining room was furnished with a piano, and the visiting folk would bring their accordions or other musical instruments. School concerts, district dances and parties were all held at the Spurrs' homestead, until the Jitarning Hall was built in 1918. The farm boasted large orchards, and many people came from miles away for the beautiful fresh water from the "never fail" Long Jack Soak. Spurr worked as a dam sinker to supplement his income, but by the 1930s the farm proved to be too small and they moved to take up land in Karlgarin.

Condition

Site

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Yilliminning-Kondinin Co-op (fmr)

Parent Place or Precinct

07025 Jitarning Main Street precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place represents a way of life no longer practiced.

Physical Description

Timber framed and weatherboard clad with a corrugated iron gable roof, the detail and form of the building is similar to the Jitarning hall.

History

Jitarning began developing as a community centre from when the first settlers took up land in 1910. When the railway came through in 1914, a sly grog shop was established, and other services developed, with the hall, hostel and residence in the townsite by the time the Yilliminning-Kondinin Co-op built their store. The Co-op was a part of the Westralian Farmers Co-operative system designed to maximise the co-operation among the communities in effecting purchasing benefits. After the Co-op was built, the Randalls sold the newsagency and closed their store. Hilton and Nance Lowe ran the Jitarning branch of the Co-op after they married in 1934, and bought the store in 1936, when the branches were sold. Mrs Lowe ran the store through the war with groceries, vegetables, petrol bowser and various agencies. After World War Two, the full Co-op facilities reopened, and when the Post Mistress Mrs Curran died, the Lowes took over the post office and phone exchange, and later the money order agency. In 1957, Lowes sold to M.J. Brick and son who ran the Dudinin Store, and the facility was removed from Jitarning. The phone exchange however did remain at the site, and there is a public phone box in front of the place.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: redeemable

Condition

Good

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Randall House

Parent Place or Precinct

07024 Jitarning Townsite

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Physical Description

Timber framed with oiled weatherboard cladding and a gable roof which breaks pitch to form a skillion front an back verandah. The back verandah is only partially enclosed.

History

In 1921, Harry and Dorothy Randall lost all their possessions when their house burned to the ground. Michael Brown rented a house to the Randalls. The house was located next to the hostel in Jitarning town. Mr & Mrs Randall ran a newsagency and store which they closed when the Co-op opened, and moved to this house in 1924. Mrs Randall was the station mistress, checking goods, meeting trains and ordering wheat trucks. Mrs Randall taught music to people of the district using the Beale piano in the hall, and she also acted as caretaker of the hall. She taught Sunday School in the hall and organised regular church services. Mrs Randall was renowned for her hospitality. The Randall's son still lives in the house.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: intact Authenticity: high degree

Condition

Good

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