ABORIGINAL WEST AUSTRALIANA –

Information on the extent of the Balardung lands (map on page 3), rituals, types of implements and weapons (and relics), climate, shelter and clothing, hunting and prey, burial and religious beliefs and ’employment’ of Aboriginal people as trackers and guides for European explorations. Scattered references throughout the book.

• xvi, 333 p., [16] p. of plates : ill., maps, ports. ; 24 cm. First Edition. #101025

Notes:

• Ill. on lining papers.
• Includes index.
• Bibliography: p. 302-305.

• Nations (AIATSIS) Subject:

  • Hunting – Birds – Emus
  • Economic sectors – Agriculture and horticulture – Grain
  • Gathering – Plants – Roots and tubers
  • Housing – Shelters – Shade
  • Costume and clothing – Nose pegs and piercing
  • Hunting, gathering and fishing – Tracking
  • Religion – Rites
  • Gathering – Insects – Grubs
  • Costume and clothing
  • Body – Scarification
  • Balardung / Baladon people (W10) (WA SH50-15)
  • Cunderdin (SW WA SH50-15)
  • Meckering (SW WA SH50-15)

  Subject:

  • Cunderdin (W.A.) — History
  • Meckering (W.A.) — History
  • Cunderdin (W.A. : Shire) — History
  • The township of Meckering – like so many Western Australian towns – derives its name from an Aboriginal language and means ‘place of water’ or ‘moon on water’ depending upon the translation. It is apt that ‘water’ is present in the Meckering’s name as it was precisely this substance that led to its’ discovery and early settlement.

    Originally known as Beebering, the name Meckering was chosen by explorer, John Forest with the official declaration of the townsite taking place on 17th February 1887.

    Many decades earlier, in 1849, the first block of land – situated some 7kms south of Meckering near the rare and valuable well supplying good water – had been granted and was known as ‘Koolbunine’. Due to a lack of constant rainfall and surface water the area was not considered adequate for agricultural purposes until about 40 years later.

    The first settlement was made in 1887 about 3kms north of Beebeering Hill but it was not until April 1889 that the surrounding land was declared an agricultural area.

    The rail link to Kalgoorlie reached Meckering in 1892 and within six years the town was home to a railway station, three stores, a blacksmith, a hotel, a town hall, school, WA and Union banks and a post office. In addition, the office for local government administering the area as far east as Merredin was located in Meckering and remained there until 1920 when it was moved to Cunderdin.

    Following the official declaration of the township in 1887 the school expanded and in 1898 the roll showed there were 60 children. Some pupils traveled by rail from as far as Doodlakine – 80 kms away.

    The Goldfields Water Supply became available by 1901, supplying water to local residents. The 1903 a local cordial factory opened for business and continued to operate until 1950 supplying cool drinks across the entire state. From 1916 to 1958 power was supplied by a local plant, until the introduction of SEC power which further modernised the town.