Badgingarra, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BadgingarraWestern Australia |
|
|---|---|
Badgingarra Community Centre, 2013.
|
|
 Badgingarra
Location in Western Australia
|
|
| Established | 1955 |
| Postcode(s) | 6521 |
| Area | [convert: needs a number] |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | Shire of Dandaragan |
| State electorate(s) | Moore |
| Federal Division(s) | Durack |
Badgingarra is a small town in the Wheatbelt area of Western Australia. It is located about 205 kilometers (127 miles) north of Perth. You can find it in the Shire of Dandaragan, right next to the Badgingarra National Park on the Brand Highway.
Contents
Badgingarra's Story: A Look Back
The town of Badgingarra was officially recognized in 1955. Its name comes from the nearby Badgingarra Pool. "Badgingarra" is a word from the Noongar language, which is spoken by Indigenous Australians. It means "water by the manna gums," referring to a type of eucalyptus tree.
The land around Badgingarra was first explored in the 1880s. However, it wasn't used for farming back then. This was because there were many poisonous plants and the soil wasn't good for growing crops. Not many people settled here until the 1950s.
In the 1950s, farmers learned how to use special plant foods called trace elements. These included things like zinc and copper. Adding these to the soil made it possible to farm on the sandy land around Badgingarra. This new farming method helped the area grow.
By 1955, enough people lived in the area for a townsite to be officially created. In 1959, the government set up the Badgingarra Research Station. This station helped farmers learn new ways to grow their crops and raise animals. A primary school was started in 1965. It first operated in the community hall before a new school building opened in 1968.
Life in Badgingarra Today
Today, Badgingarra has several important places for its residents. You'll find a primary school, a tavern (a type of pub), and a post office. There's also a roadhouse and other local businesses.
The town's Community Centre offers many fun things to do. It has tennis courts, a bowling green, and a football oval. There's also a golf course, parks, and playgrounds for everyone to enjoy.
The main highway, the Brand Highway, was planned to be built about 7 kilometers (4 miles) west of the town. Because of this, the people of Badgingarra decided to move the town closer to the new highway.
Facing Challenges: Natural Events
Badgingarra has faced some tough natural events. In 2010, a very large bushfire swept through the area. It badly damaged 19 farms and over 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) of farmland. Sadly, many animals were lost, including about 1,700 cattle, along with sheep and crops. A special sandalwood tree farm and many fences were also destroyed.
In 2012, the town was hit by strong storms. It rained about 50 millimeters (2 inches) in less than an hour. This heavy rain came with strong winds and a lot of hail, which damaged crops.
Badgingarra's Climate
Badgingarra has a climate with hot summers and mild winters. The hottest month is usually January, while July is often the coolest. The area gets most of its rain during the winter months. Summers are generally dry with clear skies.
