Pinjarra, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pinjarra Western Australia
Pinjarra
Established	1830 (as name) / 1831 (as townsite)
Postcode(s)	6208
Elevation	9.58 m (31 ft)
Area	[convert: needs a number]
Location	82 km (51 mi) from Perth 21 km (13 mi) from Mandurah 25 km (16 mi) from Waroona 25 km (16 mi) from Dwellingup 43 km (27 mi) from Mundijong
LGA(s)	Shire of Murray
State electorate(s)	Murray-Wellington
Federal Division(s)	Canning
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 19.2 °C 67 °F 11.8 °C 53 °F 941.4 mm 37.1 in
Localities around Pinjarra: Ravenswood Ravenswood Fairbridge West Pinjarra Pinjarra Oakley West Pinjarra Blythewood Oakley

Pinjarra is a town in the Peel region of Western Australia. It is located along the South Western Highway. Pinjarra is about 82 kilometres (51 miles) from Perth, the state capital. It is also 21 kilometres (13 miles) south-east of the coastal city of Mandurah.

The local government area for Pinjarra is the Shire of Murray. In 2016, Pinjarra had a population of 4,910 people. Pinjarra is a place with a lot of history. It was also the hometown of a former State Premier, Sir Ross McLarty. The town is close to where the sad Pinjarra massacre happened in 1834. During this event, between 14 and 80 Noongar people were killed by British colonists.

History of Pinjarra

The name "Pinjarra" was sometimes spelled "Pinjarrup" on old maps. For many years, the accepted spelling was "Pinjarrah". There are different ideas about what the name means. Some say it means "place of a swamp". This comes from the Aboriginal word "beenjarrup". However, it is more likely that Pinjarra was named after the Pindjarup people. These people often visited the area.

Early European Settlement

Pinjarra is one of the first places in Western Australia where Europeans settled. One of the first settlers was Thomas Peel. He started a settlement near the Murray River in 1830. In 1831, land was set aside for a town near a shallow part of the river. By 1834, more Europeans came to the area. They heard about the rich soil and good pastures.

The Pinjarra Massacre

In 1834, a sad event known as the Pinjarra massacre took place. A group led by Governor James Stirling attacked a Noongar village. Many Noongar people were killed. Official reports at the time called it a battle. However, over 150 years later, it was recognized as one of many massacres that happened during the colonial period in Australia. After this, surveys were done in 1836. Land was then given to settlers in 1837. By early 1898, about 400 people lived in the town.

Fairbridge Farm School

In the early 1900s, a British program helped children move to Australia. This program was run by Kingsley Fairbridge. It set up a farm school in the Pinjarra area. Hundreds of orphaned children were educated at Fairbridge Farm between 1913 and 1981. The Fairbridge Chapel was built in Pinjarra in 1924. It was designed by Herbert Baker.

Famous Writers and Industry Growth

The author Kenneth (Seaforth) McKenzie grew up in Pinjarra. Some of his childhood experiences near the Murray River are in his first novel, The Young Desire It.

In 1974, a factory that makes alumina was built by Alcoa Australia Ltd. Alumina is a material used to make aluminium. This factory helped the populations of Pinjarra and nearby Mandurah grow a lot. Pinjarra is also home to one of the world's largest bauxite mines. Bauxite is the rock from which alumina is made.

Facilities in Pinjarra

Pinjarra has several schools for children. These include Pinjarra Primary School, Pinjarra Senior High School, and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School.

For fun, you can visit the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway. This railway offers scenic train rides. Peel Zoo is also near Pinjarra. It is well-known for its many different birds. Pinjarra also has a shopping centre called Pinjarra Junction, which opened in 2008.

Future and Growth

Pinjarra is close to Mandurah. Because of new buildings and services, Pinjarra's population is expected to grow. New housing areas are being built around the old town. There are also plans to extend the Armadale Railway Line to Pinjarra in the future.

Sport in Pinjarra

Pinjarra is a big centre for horse racing. It has both Thoroughbred Horse Racing and Harness Racing. These races happen at Pinjarra Park and Pinjarra Paceway. The main races held here are the Pinjarra Cups. These take place in April and March each year. Many horse trainers and breeders live in the Pinjarra and Peel Region.

Transport in Pinjarra

Pinjarra station is on the South Western Railway. You can catch the Australind train service here. It runs twice a day from Perth to Bunbury. In 2012, a Transperth bus service started. It connects Murray Hospital in Pinjarra to Mandurah railway station. The bus goes through Pinjarra town centre and Mandurah Forum.

Pinjarra is also on the South Western Highway. This highway connects Armadale and Bunbury. This location has helped the town, but also caused some problems. During holidays, traffic through the town can be very long. Because of this, people have asked for a new road to bypass the town.

Bus Services

• 600 Pinjarra to Mandurah Station – This bus serves McKay Street, McLarty Road, George Street, and Pinjarra Road.
• 605 Pinjarra to Mandurah Station – This bus serves McKay Street, McLarty Road, George Street, Pinjarra Road, Sutton Street, Naturaliste Drive, Hamlet Pass, Sunset Circle, and Country Road.

Gallery

• 

  Murray River at Pinjarra Bridge around 1900-1910

• 

  Edenvale, a historic cottage

• 

  The old post office building

• 

  St John's Church, the fifth-oldest church in Western Australia

Notable People from Pinjarra

• Harley Bennell - AFL footballer
• John Butler - musician
• Peter Dawson - cyclist
• Sabrina Frederick - AFLW footballer
• iOTA - entertainer
• Kamdyn McIntosh - AFL footballer
• Sir Ross McLarty - politician