Kundip Townsite

Child Places

• 13983 Kundip School Site
• 14059 Kundip Half Way House

Uses

Creation Date

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Child Places

• 13983 Kundip School Site
• 14059 Kundip Half Way House

Statement of Significance

In 1899 Baldy Halberts was the first to find alluvial gold in the area and received a Reward Claim. The same year the Dallison brothers found gold whilst out shooting kangaroos. They found a malice fowl's nest where the soil scratched up showed traces of gold. They investigated and found payable dirt. As the sea near Hopetoun was visible from this point they called their claim Harbour View. In 1901 the town was surveyed- streets named and people moved in. On 10th October 1901 John Henry Moody established a hotel on Lot 17, later called Half Way Hotel The present bitumen road goes through the site where this hotel was, shops, school, houses, hall, earth tennis courts followed. The railway from Hopetoun reached Kundip in 1908 with a siding at the Government Dam one kilometre north of the town. At this time Kundip had 43 businesses and private homes including railway barracks and a 25 head government battery was constructed to crush the ore mined in the area. Gold and copper were mined. Kundip went downhill when large scale mining petered out after WWI. By the 1920's only a few families were left but the town kept going on a very small scale with one shop/post office and still the hotel and school. Kundip was rejuvenated in the early 1930's when Claude de Bernales spent a lot of money on diamond drilling in the area which resulted in new plant and workings being put into the Beryl mine. The Beryl had a timber overhead which was dismantled around 1988. His company opened up some of the old mines and by 1936, 150 men were employed working in three shifts. The town came alive again with new staff housing, an upgraded school in the hall, shops etc. However WWII was declared in 1939, manpower drifted away, finance needed elsewhere and the town died again - never to recover. The last building was removed in 1949. The hall went to Hopetoua in 1949 and the school to Ml Madden in 1932. The last person to camp there in a shack was Jack Leg who left in the mid 1970's.

Physical Description

Reserve containing 200 acres surveyed by Geo Reilly in March 1901 who named the streets. It was gazetted on 6th June 1901 in the name of Coondip. In December 1901 the name was change to Cundip to comply with geographical society's system of orthography of native names. On 31st January 1902 it was gazetted as Kundip. The Survey was extended in 1906 by surveyor Ellis. The streets were named Moody, Stennet, Dallison and Scadden. There remains parts of Lansell's old stone bakery, underground water lank, dam (still in use). The magazine or explosives armoury is on the east side of Hopetoun/Ravensthorpe road. Roadways are still visible with a horse and donkey camping ground to the south.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Parts of Lansell's old stone bakery, underground water tank, dam (still in use), explosives armoury.

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Kundip Half Way House

Uses

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Parent Place or Precinct

14023 Kundip Townsite

Statement of Significance

In 1901 John Henry Moody bought a comer block fronting the main street which was to be named Moody Street for S600 and built the Hall" Way Hotel. In 1906 Charles Strachan McKenzie became the new publican at the Hotel and in 1908 Tom Hibbert, owner at the time, authorised improvements to the building and the publican planned further improvements of his own. In 1910 John Hibben added even further improvements. Lew Hanibley, its last publican bought the Palace Hotel in Ravensthorpe and the Half Way Hotel was pulled down. Its stone was eventually pushed into rubble lo form part of the present Hopetoun Rnvensthorpe Road.

Physical Description

A single storey building of limber and iron.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: None

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Harbour View

Condition

Moderate - possibly unstable

Uses

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Statement of Significance

Discovered by the Dallison Brothers in 1900 who were out kangaroo shooting and they found a copper stained rock scratched out by a mallee fowl nest. Harbour View was so called because the ocean at Mary Ann Harbour could be seen from here. Dallison later established a store at Kundip. The product of the mine was mainly gold and copper inhibited cyanide extraction in the tailings. The leases were worked by Dallison Bros, and on tribute. They produced 7032 tons for 1680 ounces of gold and 1113 tons for 65 tons of copper. From 1913 for about ten years. Harbour View Gold and Copper Lid produced 1210 tons for 90 tons of copper and 1603 tons for 1836 ounces of gold and 360 ounces of silver. Frank Dallison was a director of the company. When the leases were worked in 1940741 for gold, 519 tons were treated for 106 ounces. In 1901 a population of 43 was living at the Harbour View Campsite. The mine produced 5,730.12 ounces of fine gold between 1900 and 1941. The Harbour View had a ten head battery.

Physical Description

The mine operated from 1900 - 1941. Headframe removed.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: None

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Kundip School Site

Uses

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Parent Place or Precinct

14023 Kundip Townsite

Statement of Significance

Kundip school was opened in 1906 and after closure the building was moved to Mt Madden in 1932 where it was also used as a school, then tennis pavilion and meeting place. The building still remains in Mt. Madden.

Physical Description

School building moved to Mt Madden.

Condition

Site

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Kybulup Barn

Condition

Good

Uses

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Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Max Moir (1882 - 1958), second son of William Moir of Carliugup, spent his early vears at Fanny Cove before becoming a teamster, carting for the smelters at Ravensdiorpe. He took up land relinquished by Dempster Bros at the Kybulup Creek/Phillips River junction in about 1905 and developed the farm called Kybulup. At 33 he married 17 year old Elsie Mabel Reynolds (1S98 - 1979) from the neighbouring farm to the south. They had three sons and a daughter. Later Max purchased Reynolds' farm. Mrs Max Moir lived in Ravenslhorpe for several years during the 1920/30 period so that the children could go to school. About 1950 Max and Elsie retired and son Wally fanned Kybalup followed by step son Rob Wolfenden until 1984 when the farm was sold to the Biddulph family.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Stone ham with corrugated iron additions and old farm machinery.

Condition

Good

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Moolyall Rocks

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The last known shooting in the area of an aborigine was around 1905 when Moolyall was shot by aboriginal tracker Johnny Wall at what Is now called Moolyall Rocks. Apparently Moolyall was being pursued for stealing sheep and as the troopers closed in on him, he prepared to throw a spear. John Wall was the Corporal at Ravensthorpe from 1901 to 1908.

Physical Description

Old maps show Moolyall Rocks as a water and camping place and there was a farm on the northern side of the creek.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact

Condition

Good

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Aboriginal Midden

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Statement of Significance

The midden lies south of Springdale Road near the T Junction with Coxall Road, Munglinup in second line of sand dunes close to a fresh water hole.

Physical Description

Large basin shape sheltered spot close to beach. July 1980 Ahoriginal artefacts were found here by archaeologist Robyn Martin (USA) researcher from UWA.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact

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Munglinup Primary School site

Uses

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Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

In 1963 the room was used as living quarters by George and Jean Murison while they built their own home It was later dismantled and materials were used for other buddings in Munglinup town. A commemorative plaque was unveiled on the site on 2nd September 1994.

Physical Description

The school was built in 1960 by local residents in working bees. Timber provided by Mr and Mrs White of Young River Station. The original one room was 12 x 15ft with a pan toilet. It was used as a school for 2 years until the new school was built. The school opened with seven pupils and the first teacher was Ian Robertson.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Concrete base

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St Paul's Church

Uses

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Nindilbillup Creek Rockhole

Condition

Good

Uses

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Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

There is still good fresh water at the rockhole. Circa 1920 the Rabbit Department blasted a rock hole and built a wall in the rock above it at the joining of the two creeks to give bigger holding capacity. Tor many years Brumbies drank here.

Physical Description

Situated east nt the No i Proof Fence gate No 173 mile peg off Nindilbillup Road.

Condition

Good

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Rabbit Proof Fence No 2 and No 3

Child Places

• 07144 Rabbit Proof Fence
• 06997 Boundary riders hut - Site
• 24861 Emu Barrier Fence
• 24843 Yard trap rabbit proof fence
• 24671 Rabbit Proof Fence No. 2

Condition

Good - although it varies along the route

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Child Places

• 07144 Rabbit Proof Fence
• 06997 Boundary riders hut - Site
• 24861 Emu Barrier Fence
• 24843 Yard trap rabbit proof fence
• 24671 Rabbit Proof Fence No. 2

Statement of Significance

The Rabbit Proof Fence has historic and representative cultural heritage significance. The Fence was a major attempt by the WA Government to prevent the pestilence of rabbits, an introduced animal to Australia. The Rabbit Proof Fence No.2 divides the Shire of Dumbleyung and has had a marked influence on the history of land development in the region. Names of roads in the district east of Dumbleyung reflect the effect of the Fence with Fence Rd and 125 Gate Rd being two examples. The fence, though extremely long and crossing many Local Government Areas throughout WA, had a particularly strong influence over land development patterns in Dumbleyung and is representative of early government attempts to help sustain agriculture.

History

In the late 19th century rabbits which were not established in WA, were recognised as a possible menace to agriculture. The rabbits were travelling from the eastern seaboard at a rate of 35 miles a year and the Western Australian Government formed a plan to try and prevent the pests entry. A decision was made to construct a rabbit proof fence from the 80 Mile Beach in the north, through the Great Sandy Desert to end at Starvation Beach near Esperance in the south. When Rabbit Proof Fence Number One was completed in 1903, it was the longest unbroken line of fence in the world. However, on its completion rabbits had already appeared west of the barrier. Another fence was therefore hurriedly erected roughly 60 miles parallel inside the first. It was built in the period between March and July 1904. The fence was constructed of jam posts placed 12 feet apart with wire netting of which the lowest 6 inches were dipped in coal tar and buried (towards the east) to prevent the rabbits from digging under. A wide clearing either side provided for a fire break and access for boundary riders. The second fence built divided the Dumbleyung district. The fence was kept in order by Government employees. Riders were employed to check the fence, using bicycles for transport. Gates in the fence needed to be opened and closed each time and location was often determined by the gate number (eg. 125 Gate Rd). The many gates made collection of water difficult for some farmers who had to travel many miles to a water supply. The first rabbit proof fence was abandoned in 1916 when it was obvious it had failed and that more time was needed maintaining the second fence. By the 1940s it was realised that the rabbit proof fence had failed but the gates were still patrolled and fines were issued if left open. This vigilance was maintained into the 1950s In 1959 the Rabbit Proof Fence Department was finally disbanded and the gates were left permanently open. At the same time myxomatosis was introduced which greatly reduced the rabbit population. Today the rabbit proof fence is still referred to as 'the fence'. Though no longer a physical divide, people still talk in terms of their community being east or west of the fence.

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Iron Clad Mine

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Mount Benson Mine

Uses

Creation Date

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The Magazine Copper Mine

Uses

Creation Date

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Thistle & Shamrock Mine

Uses

Creation Date

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Rabbit Proof Fence No 1

Child Places

• 12080 Rabbit Proof Fence No 1
• 07144 Rabbit Proof Fence
• 13982 Rabbit Proof Fence No1
• 14216 Rabbit Proof Fence No 1

Values

The place is the longest fence in the world, extending over 1800kms.

The place is significant for its contribution to agriculture at the turn of the century.

The place is rare as a method of pest control, that was to eventually also help prevent the movement of dingoes, foxes and emus.

Physical Description

The Rabbit Proof Fence is the longest fence in the world and cost £250 per kilometre to construct. It was made from Saltwater paperbark posts, wire netting 42 inches wide, with a mesh not less than 1 1/2 inches, and no lighter than 17 gauge, ‘b’ grade with barbed and plain wire. Six inches of the erected wire netting was buried in the ground.

History

Rabbits were introduced to Geelong from England by Thomas Austin in 1859. Towards the end of the last century rabbits were known to have travelled across to Western Australia from Victoria. In 1896, Arthur Gregory Mason reported that rabbits were at least two hundred miles past the South Australian border and inside Western Australia at the town of Eucla. His recommendation to the government was to build a rabbit proof fence. After much debate and a Royal Commission, the government eventually adopted the idea of a barrier fence. In 1901 the Government Surveyor, A.W. Canning was commissioned to survey a fence line to be built to cut off the flow of rabbits entering Western Australia. Canning with only Hubert Trotman, Hassan (an Afghan Camel man) and eight camels completed the preliminary exploratory survey from Burracoppin to Starvation Boat Harbour in July and August that year. They surveyed a route for the fence and its construction began in December the same year. The fence from Starvation Boat Harbour to Burracoppin was built by contract with saltwater paperbark posts on the lower section obtained locally and other materials were shipped into starvation Boat Harbour. The fence was completed in 1906. When the fence was completed, it was the longest fence in the world, stretching from Starvation Boat Harbour, just west of Esperance in the south, to Wallal on the 80 Mile Beach in the northwest, a distance of 1822kms. Even before completion, the rabbits were past the fence and work had begun on Fences No.2 and 3. By 1908 the three fences were complete, over 3,000km of fence line in total. (See map.) Although the construction of the fences was finished, someone was needed to patrol and maintain them. Alex Crawford was appointed the first Chief Inspector of Rabbits and was required to inspect and maintain the fences. The fence was maintained by boundary riders patrolling 240km stretches of fence line with an ingenuous permanent water catchments and huts at regular intervals of 50kms. There were gates at every 32kms and trap yards for foxes and dingoes as well as rabbits every 8 kms. Grids and rabbit proof gates were constructed where the fence crossed the road. Without regular water, the use of horses to carry out the fence inspection was difficult. When camels were used, it was found that inspection of the fence was unsatisfactory from the height of a camel. Many other methods were tried such as bicycles, but this proved unsatisfactory. In 1910, a motor vehicle was purchased to carry out the inspection but was also to prove unsatisfactory. After many punctures and broken springs, it had to be towed slowly back to camp by camels. In the end the only workable solution for the inspection teams were buckboard buggies pulled by pairs of camels. Despite the best efforts to stop the rabbits at the barrier fence, it was to only slow the rabbit's migration. Erosion under the fences, holes in the wire and gates left open allowed rabbits to continue their movement west into the fertile agricultural areas. In their hundreds of thousands, they ate out pasture, ring-barked trees and devoured crops. Much of the fence is still in good repair, especially where it is used by abutting farmers as a boundary fence.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity- Moderate Authenticity- High

Condition

Good - although condition varies along the route

Uses

Historic Themes

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Blacksmith's Tree

Condition

Good

Uses

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Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Under this tree at Hawk's Nest mining campsite, the blacksmith had a forge. Remains of a man-made stone wall around the base of the tree and other stone scatters under the tree signify former use. This handsome, large, old tree still stands in good condition and marks the historic site. Salmon Gum trees, which are abundant around Ravensthoipe, stand to 25m tall and are most spectacular during late summer and autumn when the silver grey bark is shed to reveal a new brillianl salmon coloured bark beneath.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact

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Dunn's Track

Condition

Mostly good as a 4WD Track or for walking

Uses

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Dunn Bros of Cocanamp pioneered track from Cocanarup lo Moirs at Carlingup in the 1870's and 1894 to Peak Charles and Norseman when gold was found in Dundas Goldfield. They established a shop and transported goods overland from Hopetoun to Norseman. The distance was too far and the shop proved a failure. Earlier they used this route to track down Aborigines who had been stealing sheep. The track was surveyed with minor alterations by Guy Hewby and Arthur May in 1910.

Physical Description

The track is negotiable by vehicle or foot all the way except where land has been developed on two farms north of Carlingup. ie. west of No 1 Rabbit Proof Fence. There are some gnamma holes and fresh water in creeks but they are not all permanent. Waterholes at Peter Soak, Northover Soak and Welcome Soak.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact

Condition

Mostly good iis a 4WD Track or for walking

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East West Telegraph Line and Track

Condition

Historical Society advises the last of the remaining telegraph posts near the No 1 rabbit proof fence has disappeared.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The line turned inland after Bremer Bay and travelled north of Mid Mt Barren and Eyre Range, just south of No Tree Hill, passed approximately 10 km north of Mary Ann Harbour and a bit south of Kuliba and then back close to the coast near Starvation Boat Harbour and Torradup Spring en route to Esperance. In 1870 Sir John Forrest surveyed roughly the coastal route Edward John Eyre took from Fowlers Bay in South Australia to Albany in 1841, but in reverse. He and his party camped near Steere River crossing and John Forrest carved his initials on a Christmas Tree (Aboriginal name Mungi). This survey was used, with some exceptions, for the East West Telegraph Line link up from Albany lo the South Australia border. The first pole was planted in Albany on 1 January 1875. The Bremer Bay telegraph station was officially opened for traffic on 8 March 1876 and the next station, at Esperance, was opened on 8 September 1876. The section traversing ihe present Ravensthorpe Shire was constructed between these dates. In this section unfavourable weather and scarcity of labour at the saw mills delayed the delivery of poles so only eleven poles per square mile were used instead of twenty two, the plan being to fill the gaps on the return journey. On this stretch, Messrs Fleming and Parish were replaced by HS Carey for the construction. While progressing towards Esperance there was a delay of nearly six weeks due to the lass of supplies in a bad storm. Replacement poles for some of the section, at least through this area, were iron (steel) and many years later were used by settlers for building on their new land farm blocks. The Completion lo Adelaide and operation of the line on 6th December 1877 meant that Perth was now connected with London via Albany, Bremer Bay, Esperance, Israelite Bay, Eyre, Eucla. Adelaide and Darwin thus world news could be quickly relayed to the colony's main centres. The Albany to Adelaide line was estimated (o cost between thirty and forty thousand pounds which was a lot of money considering the total revenue for the state was only one hundred and thirty five thousand pounds. Farmland and Filzgerald River National Park have now covered over most of the track.

Physical Description

The only visible and accessible remains of the track are in the Fitzgerald River National Park from the Hamersley Drive to Whoogarup Range which is restricted to walking only. One partial telegraph post still stands just east of the No 1 Rabbit Proof Fence close to Springdale Road. There is a good seclion between Parsons Homestead and Moir Track with ten or twelve poles still in place. Owner of this section is Department of Conservation and Land Management,

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Several charred telegraph posts.

Condition

Track good in parts, non-existent in others.

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Hopetoun/Ravensthorpe Railway

Child Places

• 13985 Ravensthorpe Railway Station
• 24898 Hopetoun Railway Station

Condition

Tack site plus artefacts remain

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Child Places

• 13985 Ravensthorpe Railway Station
• 24898 Hopetoun Railway Station

Statement of Significance

Survey for railway was completed in April 1907. The first mile was from Hopetoun Jetty to, and including, station yard. Baxter and Wood successfully tendered for railway line building in August 1907, Sleepers from Bunbury and Albany were brought by barge and plate laying commenced February 1908. Due to bad weather conditions, barges were held up for two months at Hopetoun before unloading. The Railway completed from Hopetoun to Ravensthorpe in January 1909. In April it was ready for traffic and taken over by Western Australian Government Railways. The official opening took place on 3 June 1909. It was 33 miles and 62 chain long, constructed of rail 45lbs per yard with jarrah sleepers, earth ballast and narrow gauge. The route included two stations, one each at Hopetoun and Ravensthorpe. There were sidings at Three Mile, Seven Mile, Kuliba (until 28/1/1910 called No 1 Siding). Kundip, Desmond, 30 Mile, Junction at the Smelters and private siding to Mt Catilin Gold Mine. Locomotives - First locomotive a Beyer Peacock 2-6-0 arrived by sea in 1908 from Kirup and was used by contractors. Used until 1909 when replaced by two WAGR locomotives which were larger 2-6-O's of the G Class, Nos 128 and 130 built by Martin Co of Gawler, South Australia. A third locomotive arrived January 1910 and the fourth later that year, For a short period there were live locomotives when the fifth arrived to replace one in need of overhaul. Other numbers were 158, 233 and the other number is unrecorded. No 156 was removed to Esperance after the collapse of Ihe gold mining. No 130 went to Port Hedland for the duration of WWII. The last one to be removed was G233 in 1944 which was taken by road to Midland Railway Workshop by George Chambers of Ravensthorpe on his semi-trailer. It was later restored, became the "Leschenault Lady" and il is still in use in the south west of Western Australia by the Hotham Valley Tourism Railway. It was used in the filming of "A Fortunate Life". Fuel was coal shipped from Newcastle, NSW, used in preference to Collie Coal - the latter was used when shipments were delayed. Rolling Stock - In 1907 the Harbour Master hired 12 WAGR four-wheel wagons for Hopetoun Jetty, wooden frames, open, nine tons capacity, four wagons of seven tons and four H-class trucks for construction work. Wagon stock shipped in March 1907 comprised one D-class covered van, four more GB-class, two J-class travelling tanks, 12 L-class ballast hoppers (for ore traffic) and one 0-class explosives van - all four wheel stock. There were at least four other trucks. In May 1909 delivery was taken of another four GB and I-class and June 1909 six XA-cIass bogie coal hoppers for ore traffic. One cattle truck. Two AH-class six wheeler composite coaches Nos 24 and 25 ex suburban service - two 1" class and four 21"1 class compartments, 21 and 32 passengers respectively per coach. No toilets. One coach has been restored privately in Hopetoun and one restored at Ravensihorpe Museum, later replaced by 42 bogie vehicle with two 2nd class passenger compartments for 14 passengers with toilets. The ballast hoppers arrived in October, 10 coal hoppers in January 1910 and four more GB open wagons. More wagons were added between 1911-1914. Most rolling stock was recovered by PWD during WWII for service on coastal tramways in the North West. The coaches, brakevans and D-Class van were abandoned at Hopetoun and sold locally. The railway telephone connected Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun and il was rented to the Post Master General's Department. Train Services - The train ran daily at a time that was mosi convenient and with mixed trains connecting with mail steamers. For a time there were two crews each at Hopetoun and Ravensthorpe and at least one return through service daily. Mining dropped off by 1914 and the railway serviced farms from 1919. Then came the Great Depression and it declined further in Ihe 1930"s. Permanent service ceased in 1931 but carried wheat until final closure in 1935. Transport was taken over by road in 1936. Then horse or man traction was used to meet state ships until 1938 as on some occasions farmers themselves pulled the wagons. In 1947 rails were removed and taken to Newdegate for the main railway system. Parts of the railway are now taken up by developed farms hut mure than half still runs through thick natural bush. The line is well defined and walkable.

Physical Description

At the Ravenslhnrpe Station there only remains a small embankment of old goods shed, crane (still in use) turntable site and inspection pit. At Hopetoun Station the turntable site and inspection pit remain.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Site Only

Condition

Site

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