Boyanup, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BoyanupWestern Australia |
|
|---|---|
Boyanup General Store
|
|
 Boyanup
Location in Western Australia
|
|
| Established | 1894 |
| Postcode(s) | 6237 |
| Elevation | 40 m (131 ft) |
| Area | [convert: needs a number] |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Capel |
| State electorate(s) | Collie-Preston |
| Federal Division(s) | Forrest |
Boyanup is a small town in the South West region of Western Australia. It's about 195 kilometers (121 miles) south of Perth, the capital city, and just 18 kilometers (11 miles) south-east of Bunbury, Western Australia. The town is built near the Preston River.
Contents
What Does "Boyanup" Mean?
The name "Boyanup" comes from the Noongar language, spoken by the Aboriginal people of this area. It is believed to mean "a place of quartz" because the Noongar word "Boya" means "rock" or "stone."
Early European Exploration
The first European to explore the Boyanup area was Lieutenant Henry William St Pierre Bunbury. In December 1836, he traveled through the region while mapping a route from Pinjarra to Busselton. He thought the land looked perfect for farming.
Who Was James Bessonnet?
In 1845, a lawyer from Dublin named James Bessonnet claimed some land in the Wellington District. This land was 385 acres (about 156 hectares) and included a part of the Preston River. A new road from Bunbury to the Blackwood had also just been finished nearby.
Bessonnet's land also had a natural spring and a permanent waterhole, sometimes called Bessonnet Springs. He named his farm Boyanup. However, Bessonnet left the area in 1849. His farm was considered "too far from anywhere" to be easily worked, and eventually, the wild bush grew back over it.
How Boyanup Became a Town
In 1869, a road map showed the town's name as "Boyinup." The town really started to grow when the South Western Railway was built.
The Arrival of the Railway
The railway line from Perth to Bunbury was finished in 1894. The section connecting Bunbury to Boyanup was completed earlier, on November 30, 1887. Because of the railway, Boyanup became an important stop. The official townsite was declared in 1894. Later, on November 1, 1898, the railway line was extended even further, connecting Boyanup to Bridgetown.
Boyanup's Population in the Past
By 1898, the town of Boyanup had a population of 198 people. This included 103 males and 95 females.
The Yoganup North Mine
About 5.1 kilometers (3.2 miles) north-west of Boyanup is the Yoganup North Mine site. This mine was owned by a company called Iluka Resources. At this site, workers mined and separated mineral sands. These sands contain valuable minerals. The mine stopped operating in 1997.
