Brookton, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BrooktonWestern Australia |
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View of Robinson Road, Brookton, 2014
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 Brookton
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1890s | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6306 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 250 m (820 ft) | ||||||||
| Area | [convert: needs a number] | ||||||||
| Location | 138 km (86 mi) ESE of Perth | ||||||||
| LGA(s) | Shire of Brookton | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Wagin | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor | ||||||||
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Brookton is a small town in the Wheatbelt area of Western Australia. It is about 138 kilometers (86 miles) east-southeast of Perth, the state capital. The town is located where the Brookton Highway crosses the Great Southern Highway. It is also on the Great Southern railway line. Brookton is the main town for the Shire of Brookton. In 2016, about 975 people lived there.
Contents
Discovering Brookton's Past
Brookton has a rich history, starting with its first settlers.
Early Settlers and Sandalwood
The first European settler in the Brookton area was John Seabrook. He moved there in 1846 and named his property "Brookton House." For many years, he was the only European living there. Other people, like sandalwood cutters, would visit the area. Sandalwood is a special tree whose wood was very valuable. More settlers arrived in the 1860s and 1870s. They also cut sandalwood and started farming wheat and sheep.
How the Town Grew
In 1889, the Great Southern Railway opened. Brookton became one of its first train stations. This station helped the isolated farms connect with other places. Because of the railway, the government officially created a townsite in 1895. It was first named "Seabrook" after John Seabrook. However, people preferred the station's name, Brookton. Also, there was another Seabrook town near York. So, in 1899, the town's name was changed to Brookton.
Life in Early Brookton
By 1903, Brookton was a small but growing settlement. It had a school, a hotel, a bank, and a few shops. Today, you can visit the Old Police Station Museum in town. It's run by the local historical society. The museum has many old items and memories from the early days of the settlement.
Wheat Farming and Storage
Farming has always been important in Brookton. In December 1940, a large bin was built to store wheat. This "bulk wheat bin" quickly started receiving huge amounts of grain. For example, in 1941, the farms around Brookton produced about 90,000 bushels of wheat. All of it was delivered to the local bin.
Brookton Today
Brookton is still an important place for farming.
What You'll Find in Town
Today, Brookton is a busy agricultural center. It's known for its mixed farming, growing both crops and raising animals. The town has a TAFE center, which is like a college for practical skills. There's also a district high school, which opened in 1960. You can find a Bendigo Bank, shops, and places to stay like a hotel, motel, and caravan park. The local council offices are there, along with a telecentre, which helps people with computers and internet access.
Fun Events and Transport
Every two years, Brookton hosts the Old Time Motor Show. This event is a lot of fun, featuring classic cars and vehicles. If you want to travel to or from Brookton, the Transwa bus service stops here. This bus can take you to places like Albany.
Brookton's Weather
Brookton has a climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The hottest month is usually January, and the coolest is July. Most of the rain falls during the winter months.
Images for kids
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Stand pipe at Brookton railway station
